INNOPROM 2026: AI Education and Engineering Fundamentals

At INNOPROM 2026, UrFU's Institute of Economics and Management organised a discussion entitled 'AI in Education: Training Specialists for Industry 360'.

Representatives of UrFU, SKB Kontur, HSE University, Rostelecom, Sber and other organisations took part. Speakers included Alexandra Khalyasmaa, Director of UrFU's Artificial Intelligence Research Centre.

The central message was that AI changes the skills professionals require rather than simply replacing them. Digital tools increasingly handle routine tasks, but people must still formulate problems, understand context, verify results and take responsibility for decisions.

'Understanding physical processes and how production works is the key factor in successful AI implementation. Without that understanding, it is impossible to optimise processes properly and integrate technologies,' said Alexandra Khalyasmaa.

UrFU develops this approach through interdisciplinary collaboration among IT specialists, engineers and industrial experts. The intersection of technology and a deep understanding of the application domain is where skills required by today's labour market emerge.