Research & Expertise

In biomedical research, machine learning algorithms are often used to analyse data—for instance, to predict cancer recurrence. However, it is not always clear whether these algorithms are detecting meaningful patterns or merely fitting random noise in the data. Scientists from HSE University, IBCh RAS, and Moscow State University have developed a test that makes it possible to determine this distinction. It could become an important tool for verifying the reliability of algorithms in medicine and biology. The study has been published on arXiv.

Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of life, expanding both our capabilities and our boundaries. At the same time, it presents new challenges for humanity, including concerns about safety, ethics, and environmental sustainability. Today, each neural network leaves a significant carbon footprint. However, with responsible management, AI has the potential to benefit the planet and become a cornerstone of a sustainable future economy. Panos Pardalos, Academic Supervisor of the Laboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Network Analysis at the HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod, emphasised this point as he addressed the XXV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development.

The future is now more difficult for researchers to forecast, and events that are hard to predict are playing an increasingly significant role. But there is good news too: scientists are confident that humanity will adapt to any changes. This was the focus of discussion at the International Symposium ‘Foresight in a Rapidly Changing World,’ which took place as part of the 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

HSE University has launched a unique digital Repository of Socio-Economic Information, replacing the outdated platform for the unified archive of economic and sociological data. The update includes not only a refreshed interface and enhanced functionality but also a reimagined concept for the platform itself.

A study by researchers at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences and the Institute of Education have found that the number of academic papers published by research universities in international journals has tripled in the past eight years. Additionally, universities have developed more distinct specialisations. Thus, sectoral universities specialising in medical, pedagogical, technical, and other fields are twice as likely to admit students to target places. The study has been published in Vocation, Technology & Education.

The HSE Foresight Centre has been featured in a report by the United Nations Secretary-General as a successful example of a centralised approach to technology foresight. The document was prepared for the twenty-eighth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which is the United Nations’ focal point for technology foresight and technology assessment.

The Russian Science Foundation has completed its review of projects submitted for grants to support fundamental and exploratory research by teams, as well as 2022 grant winners applying for project extensions. In addition, interdisciplinary projects for fundamental and exploratory research awarded under the Presidential funding programme have been announced. Projects awarded under each of the three categories include submissions from researchers at all four campuses of HSE University.

Specialists at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science and Sber AI Lab have developed a geometric oversampling technique known as Simplicial SMOTE. Tests on various datasets have shown that it significantly improves classification performance. This technique is particularly valuable in scenarios where rare cases are crucial, such as fraud detection or the diagnosis of rare diseases. The study's results are available on ArXiv.org, an open-access archive, and will be presented at the International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD) in summer 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

Researchers at HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod have explored how technological advancements are transforming the ways in which people preserve the memory of the deceased and significant events. Digital technologies enable the creation of virtual memorials, the preservation of personal stories and belongings of the deceased, interaction with their digital footprint, and even the development of interactive avatars based on their online activity. However, these technologies not only evoke nostalgia and provide a sense of relief but can also heighten anxiety and fear, and delay the process of accepting loss. The study has been published in Chelovek (The Human Being). 

Economists from HSE and RUDN University have analysed issues related to corporate digital transformation processes. The introduction of digital solutions into corporate operations reduces the number of patents in the field of green technologies by 4% and creates additional financial difficulties. However, if a company focuses on sustainable development and increases its rating in environmental, social, and governance performance (ESG), the negative effects decrease. Moreover, when the ESG rating is high, digitalisation can even increase the number of patents by 2%. The article was published in Sustainability.