Russia Launches Nationwide AI-Driven IT Education Program

Starting this academic year, Russian universities and colleges will roll out federal programs in IT, AI, and data science. Thousands of students will get personal guidance from neural networks acting as digital mentors.

The Russian government, together with leading tech corporations and universities, has launched three flagship educational projects: “Top-IT,” “Top-AI,” and “Top-DS.” A central feature of the initiative is the use of artificial intelligence as a personal assistant and mentor for students interested in digital technologies.

So far, 350 universities, 1,000 colleges, and 350 IT companies have signed on to participate. Partners include some of the biggest names in Russia’s tech industry: Yandex, VK, Rostelecom, Gazprom Neft, 1C, YADRO, and others.

Yandex will serve as an industry partner for eight leading universities, including ITMO, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and the Higher School of Economics. In partnership with Skoltech, they have also launched new master’s degree programs.

Nearly 4,000 students are expected to enroll in the first wave of training. Vladimir Vasilyev, rector of ITMO University, praised the initiative, noting that it offers a cutting-edge model for workforce preparation. According to him, AI is fundamentally reshaping the demands on professionals and driving new approaches to education.