The Russian National Team for the International AI Olympiad (IOAI 2026) Has Been Selected

May 12, 2026

The Artificial Intelligence Alliance, in collaboration with Central University, held a training camp for high school students as part of Northern Eurasia OAI 2026. The event brought together 60 talented participants from 23 Russian cities at the SberUniversity campus and served as a key stage in preparation for the International AI Olympiad (IOAI 2026). A total of 164 candidates from 17 countries participated in the competition’s preliminary rounds. The event was opened by Elena Marinova, president and co-founder of the International AI Olympiad. In her video address, she encouraged participants to train intensively as they compete for victory in the upcoming International AI Olympiad, which will take place in August 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The training camp program was intensive: over the course of 140 hours of continuous work, the teams solved 12 extremely difficult problems, spent more than 30 hours in competition rounds, and attended 13 lectures by leading experts from Central University, T-Bank, Sberbank, VK, Kaspersky Lab, Rostelecom, and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Alexander Gushchin—head coach of the Russian national team at the International AI Olympiad and academic director of the AI Olympiad track at Central University—played a key role in organizing the training camp. He and his coaching staff developed a unique system of problems that meets international standards.

The core roster of the Russian national team for the International AI Olympiad.

Based on the competition results, Valeria Vorobyova, CEO of the AI Alliance, and Alexander Gushchin announced the names of the eight participants who will represent their country on the international stage.

The Russian national team includes:

Elisey Andreevich Kirpichenko (Saint Petersburg)
Semen Evgenievich Rodionov (Novosibirsk)
Kirill Mikhailovich Labzin (Sochi)
Alexey Mikhailovich Kolegov (Izhevsk)
Artem Stanislavovich Gorokhov (Saint Petersburg)
Alexander Grigoryevich Povarov (Moscow)
Nikita Olegovich Pudovkin (Volgograd)
Mikhail Denisovich Vershinin (Novosibirsk)

“Artificial intelligence has already become one of the defining technologies of our time—it is transforming the economy, science, and everyday life. And I am particularly pleased to see a strong community of young people emerging in Russia who, even while still in school, are capable of tackling world-class challenges. The camp participants are the future researchers, engineers, developers, and creators of technological breakthroughs. Such gatherings don’t just unlock the potential of high school students; they bring together those who are truly passionate about technology and ready to create solutions today for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. “I am confident that this experience will serve as a starting point for the students on their long journey,” noted Valeria Vorobyova.

Special Awards for Participants.

Based on the competition results, the organizers recognized not only the top winners but also participants who demonstrated exceptional qualities. The event’s partners established special awards and selected the winners:

“To the Very End” (for the will to win) — Vladislav Lavrentiev. The award was presented by Varvara Smirnova, director of “T-Education.”
“Unconventional Approaches to Solutions” (for creativity) — Nikita Okulov and Andrei Bushin. The prize was presented by Alexander Pavlov, managing partner for AI development at VEB.RF.

Summing up the selection process, the organizers praised the high caliber of all event participants: “Judging by how you’ve worked here, you have a bright future ahead of you. You are a very strong community. And perhaps the most valuable thing you’ll take away from here is not just the experience, but the people around you.”