The Country’s Top AI Ranking: Universities That Produce the Best AI Professionals Named

Sberbank hosted the industry conference “AI Transformation of Higher Education: Growth Trajectories and Case Studies,” organized as part of the “Rectorium” project in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence Alliance. The event brought together more than 140 leaders (rectors and vice rectors) from 65 Russian universities, leading technology companies, and the expert community to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in the development of science, higher education, and the training of the next generation of professionals.

The conference consisted of two thematic sessions. The first was dedicated to artificial intelligence as a driver of scientific research. Experts discussed how the development of AI, industry demands, and academic expertise are shaping a new model of scientific research capable of accelerating technological breakthroughs and the adoption of innovations in the economy. Participants examined practical case studies of AI applications in research and mechanisms for collaboration between universities and industry partners.

In the second session, the organizers presented an updated ranking of universities based on the quality of their training programs for specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, which has been compiled annually since 2023. In 2026, more than 200 universities from across the country participated in the study, and more than 140 companies in the industry took part in the employer survey. The top five included the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), ITMO University, the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The ranking is based on 18 evaluation criteria, and in 2026, its methodology was expanded to include an indicator reflecting the level of AI integration into university operations.

Olga Tsukanova, Managing Director and Head of Sber’s Academic Partnerships Division:

“Artificial intelligence is becoming one of the key drivers of development in higher education and science. It is changing approaches to teaching, opening up new opportunities for research, and accelerating the path from a scientific idea to a practical result. Today, it is particularly important for universities not only to use artificial intelligence technologies but also to foster a culture of their responsible and effective application in education and scientific activities. This is precisely what will determine the quality of research and the competitiveness of universities in the coming years.”

Ilya Dementyev, Rector of Gazprom Neft Corporate University and Head of the “Higher Education” Working Group of the Artificial Intelligence Alliance:

The AI job market is changing faster than educational programs can keep up. To bridge this gap, we created this ranking—it shows which competencies employers value today. Universities that use it are able to adapt their curricula more quickly, and their graduates are better equipped to find their place in the industry.