Strengthening the leading position in the artificial intelligence market

ETU "LETI" established the Alexander Popov Innovation Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Communications for a cooperative scientific and academic program in the field of artificial intelligence with the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (Boston, USA).

08.10.2019 1987

The establishing of the Institute was the first step in cooperation between ETU "LETI" and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (Boston, USA). Partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of artificial intelligence on June 25, 2019. On July 11, 2019, the leadership of St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and representatives of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation met to discuss joint programs and activities planned as part of the cooperation based on the Memorandum.

The parties plan to carry out comprehensive research work based on a combination of human, research, and academic resources within the framework of the new Intelligent Planet paradigm. It will result in the development and use of new intellectual technologies and innovations in the management and education to solve the global problems of humankind at the present stage of its development.

The Institute’s scientific interests will include the development of industrial Internet systems and cyber-physical systems based on AI technologies, the theory and practice of building autonomous vehicles, and other breakthrough areas of intelligent technologies.

Researchers of the two countries also intend to conduct joint scientific and academic events, including internships for ETU "LETI" lecturers and students at the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation and the universities of Boston.

It is planned to launch the one-year master's program of the AI ​​World Society (AIWS) with both online and offline training. Students will have the opportunity of distance learning from professors from Boston and St. Petersburg. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation, one of the founders of the program, will undertake curriculum development and the invitation of professors from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Northeastern University. He will also act as a mentor and assist students in the implementation of projects under the program.

Nguyen Anh Tuan formulated the concept of a future master's program: “Students will be invited to join the AIWS Young Leaders community and will have an opportunity to develop leadership skills in solving practical problems. They will be set an ambitious task to create a strategic concept in the field of artificial intelligence. Students transform into innovators, incredibly charismatic, able to attract and inspire. The Michael Dukakis Institute will support them throughout their careers.”

ETU “LETI” and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation are planning to award double diplomas, the prestige of which will be ensured by a high level of educational programs. Students will receive a diploma only if they successfully master the curriculum and pass all the tests by solving all the tasks set by professors.

The parties also agreed to arrange visits of Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Professor Alex Sandy Pentland to St. Petersburg. After the launch of the AIWS leadership program, Governor Michael Dukakis and Professor Alex Sandy Pentland, one of the founders of the Social Contract 2020 and a member of the Council of the Boston Global Forum, will visit St. Petersburg and give a course of lectures at St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI."

Another important step in the development of relations between partners will be the establishment of a Center of Smart Data at St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI, a key node in the development of artificial intelligence in Russia. ETU "LETI" will provide the necessary infrastructure, including a site for the Center and a hardware and software system.

“The main goal of cooperation between ETU “LETI” and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation is to prepare future world leaders who will lead the international community to a better, more prosperous and peaceful future using artificial intelligence technologies. Graduates of the program will become strong leaders capable of developing initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence to solve problems in the high-tech era. They will shape public opinion, reform the business world and politics, and improve our culture and society for the better.”

The Center’s strategy will be aimed at advancing Russian science in artificial intelligence, setting and solving problems, creating global advanced ideas and concepts, and inviting leading teachers from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University to advise the center on ways to solve these global problems. ETU “LETI” will attract the foremost authorities from St. Petersburg and all Russia to work at the Center.