Russian Students Are Becoming Key Drivers of the Digital Economy

AI “Eyes” for Russian Manufacturing

Students and early-career engineers from Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU NETI) have developed a machine-vision system called AutoVisions that automatically detects defects on production lines, monitors compliance with workplace safety rules, and helps manufacturers reduce losses, prevent accidents, and improve operational efficiency.

AutoVisions is designed as a full-scale modular ecosystem. It combines smart cameras with built-in AI modules, a data processing center, and a user-friendly web-based control panel. The system analyzes live video streams from production lines and instantly classifies deviations from normal operation. Early prototypes have demonstrated accuracy of around 95%, making the solution competitive not only domestically but also on the international market.

The project brought together students from multiple disciplines – information technology, automation, mechanical engineering, and business. This interdisciplinary approach made it possible not only to build a technically advanced system but also to develop a viable commercialization model. AutoVisions is currently undergoing acceleration, with talks underway on pilot deployments at Russian manufacturing facilities, particularly among small and mid-sized enterprises, where automation often remains out of reach due to the high cost of foreign solutions.

The project has implications that go well beyond one university. Against the backdrop of Russia’s push for technological sovereignty, developments like AutoVisions are becoming a key element of import substitution in industrial automation. According to the National Center for Artificial Intelligence Development, 25.8% of manufacturing companies already use AI, and another third plan to adopt such technologies within the next three years. AutoVisions aligns closely with this trend as an affordable solution tailored to local industrial conditions.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life and is being introduced across a wide range of economic sectors, from agriculture to healthcare. The market is growing rapidly, which means there is strong demand for specialists who can sustain this positive momentum. Under the federal Artificial Intelligence project, more than 100 universities are running educational programs, and around 3,600 faculty members have upgraded their AI-related skills. Russia now has 12 research centers based at leading universities and scientific organizations, all focused on creating effective solutions for business

Maxim Kolesnikov

First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Digital Russia Is Growing Through Universities

Russia’s technology market is expanding rapidly, and that growth is driving demand for skilled talent. Across the country, student teams are increasingly acting as innovation hubs within the economy. One example is Radiurum, a company founded by NSTU graduates and doctoral students in 2021. Built on proprietary technology, the antennas deliver stable, low-noise communications even in challenging environments such as open-pit mines and factory floors, where interference typically degrades signal quality. The equipment is fully Russian-made, adapted for harsh climates, and has clear export potential.

At ITMO University, students are involved in large-scale projects conducted at the “Strong AI in Industry” research center. With student participation, intelligent systems have been developed for the oil and gas sector to support tasks such as planning field development, justifying logistics infrastructure, and designing gas production and transportation processes.

Participation by Southern Federal University in national projects is helping train highly specialized professionals in southern Russia who can address both current and future challenges in IT, industry, and related fields. Last year, researchers at the university’s Neurotechnology Research Center created an ultra-sensitive “computer nose” for detecting prohibited substances and inspecting cargo. The new biohybrid olfactory system reportedly outperforms existing analogues by more than a million times in accuracy, and it can be trained to recognize a new substance in just 30 minutes.

At Ural Federal University, two specialized youth laboratories have been launched focusing on electric power engineering. One of them is developing digital twins that can simulate power plant operations, calculate fuel requirements, and predict the likelihood of equipment failures under excessive load.

In February 2024, Tomsk State University opened the Siberian (Tomsk) Center for the Study of AI and Digital Technologies. The core team consists of young data specialists trained at the university’s Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.

From Student Labs to Export-Ready Products

The AutoVisions project illustrates how student expertise can be directly aligned with real industrial needs. Significant challenges remain ahead – testing the system across diverse production environments, adapting it to different industrial sectors, and ensuring compatibility with MES and ERP platforms. However, if pilot deployments prove successful, AutoVisions could begin regional rollout by the end of 2026 and potentially evolve into an export-ready product by 2030.

Projects like this underscore a broader point: the future of Russia’s digital economy is being built not only by large corporations, but also by talented students who are already solving practical industrial problems in real time.