Full Speed Ahead: St. Petersburg State University Launches AI Training Programs

Shaping the Future of Industry

One of Russia’s oldest universities is stepping more decisively into the digital race. St. Petersburg State University (SPbU) has announced new continuing education programs focused on training specialists in AI and adjacent technologies.

The courses target two main groups: executives, who will master end-to-end management of AI projects, and engineers, who will focus on developing solutions for AIoT (artificial intelligence in the Internet of Things). Instruction will be delivered online by leading SPbU scientists and experts, making the programs accessible to professionals across regions.

The university undertakes the mission to train experts capable not only of working with new technologies but also of building business models around them, steering digital transformations. With its resources, research foundation, and reputation, SPbU positions its graduates to contribute to real-world projects, from smart cities to industrial AI.

From Training to Deployment

A key factor for the success of these programs will be their practical orientation. SPbU already has experience collaborating with businesses and government, and the new courses are expected to include project work, internships, and real-world case studies. That way, learners won’t just study theory—they’ll be prepared to deploy solutions in production as soon as they complete the program.

When we launched the program in 2023, our goal was ambitious—to create a modern AI track at the intersection of science and practice. Over the past two years, we’ve built a strong teaching team, established partnerships with industry leaders, and turned the idea into a living, dynamic educational ecosystem

Maxim Abramov

head of the 'Artificial Intelligence and Data Science' program and associate professor at SPbU

Integration with SPbU’s bachelor’s and master’s curricula is also possible, which could lead to hybrid learning pathways combining academic study, work, and research. If the university offers English-language versions of the courses, builds partnerships abroad, and maintains high quality, the initiative could evolve into a component of Russia’s education export strategy.

Expanding Opportunities at Home

The government is actively supporting AI initiatives through national projects, the 'Digital Economy' program, grants, and competitions. Leading universities are developing their own AI and digital management programs. For example, ITMO University offers bachelor’s tracks like AI 360: ML Native with Sber and Yandex, and 'AI Engineering' with VK Education. The St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation integrates an AI module into its computer science program. Meanwhile, Kaspersky Lab, in partnership with SPbU, ITMO, St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications, and Polytechnic University, has launched the Kaspersky Academy Alliance for higher education.

SPbU could become one of the country’s leading hubs for continuous AI education. The university already trains IT and AI specialists through bachelor’s and master’s programs, but this move into continuing education marks a new stage—one that can reach working professionals unable to step away from their careers for full-time study.

Launching continuing education in AI and IoT is a strategic decision that could influence the development of Russia’s entire AI ecosystem. If implemented effectively and aligned with business and government needs, its impact could be substantial—both at the level of individual specialists and across Russia’s broader digital transformation.