HSE University and MTS Join Forces to Combat Deepfakes and Train AI to Create Bespoke Video Content
HSE University and MTS Web Services (MWS) have announced the launch of a series of joint research initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence technologies. These efforts aim to develop innovative solutions in cybersecurity, multimodal content generation, and big data analysis. The project’s leading institution is the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (HSE MIEM), under the overall coordination of the HSE AI Research Centre.
The partnership is focused on enhancing AI capabilities in customer interaction and service quality, ultimately helping MWS strengthen its position in the digital technology market.
The project will concentrate on research and development in multimodal AI models for user-generated content. It will also focus on building an expandable dataset for testing biometric identification models resistant to deepfake technology.
Both areas are among the top 10 strategic technology trends for 2025 according to Gartner, a leading global consultancy. One of the key trends in generative AI-based service and system development is the creation of platforms that ensure ethical, transparent, and secure AI solutions, particularly for deepfake prevention.
Dmitry Kovalenko, Director of the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (HSE MIEM)
‘We are delighted to welcome MTS Web Services as an industrial partner of HSE MIEM, especially in such a promising field as artificial intelligence. We appreciate the fact that MTS—a recognised leader in telecommunications, biometrics, video content production, and customer services—has chosen our institute to advance cutting-edge AI technologies. I am confident that our collaboration on research and development will be mutually beneficial. Together, we are prepared to enhance our expertise in AI, which will in turn drive MTS's technologies and services to new heights.’
The project’s main focus is on the creation of AI-driven multimodal content tailored to the individual needs of users, primarily in the form of videos. According to statistics, the average Russian spends over 1.5 hours per day watching videos, most of which are viewed on mobile devices. As Russia’s largest mobile network operator, this behaviour significantly influences MTS’s business strategy. To meet user demands, it is essential to develop creative solutions that effectively engage target audiences and establish trust in digital services. This is why the HSE AI Research Centre and MTS Web Services are concentrating on research and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies for creating high-quality video content based on each user's preferences and interests.
This area of work centres in three key objectives. Firstly, the joint initiatives will involve research into synthesising visually engaging material, leading to the selection of models capable of choosing the most suitable media files for a specific user—be it video, graphics, or audio. Secondly, the specialist will carry out rigorous testing of existing content generation models to find the best balance between speed and output quality. Lastly, the AI experts will develop proprietary tools for automatic processing of multimedia data to deliver optimal results in each individual case.
Sergey Slastnikov, Head of the Applied AI Unit at HSE MIEM
‘This research will be a significant step forward in applying generative AI technologies to real-world tasks relevant to MTS Web Services—specifically in editing multimodal content and developing advanced data analytics. We are confident that this will ultimately lead to new B2B and B2C services.’
Another crucial focus of the project is modelling threats to biometric identification systems and algorithms, particularly deepfakes. Biometrics is becoming an integral part of daily life and is already widely used in applications ranging from payment systems and ATMs to personalised marketing. The biometric identification market is growing rapidly, with an annual growth rate of at least 15–27%, and it is expected to exceed USD 110 billion by 2032 or even sooner.
Financial services companies are adopting biometric authentication at a rapid pace. According to Juniper Research, 83% of global banks have implemented at least one type of biometric authentication by 2023, up from just 35% in 2018.
Clearly, attacks on systems that rely on biometric authentication are on the rise. Modern AI models are capable of generating deepfakes, which can be used in biometric attacks. Facial recognition for remote authentication via photo or video, which is a key component of many security systems, is vulnerable to these attacks. Deepfake creation is becoming more accessible and less expensive, requiring less specialised skills or technical knowledge. This means that even novice hackers can now launch these attacks. It is evident that the next wave of fraudulent activity will involve attacks on biometric authentication systems. The number of these attacks is growing exponentially, expanding the overall risk landscape. The project aims to model these threats and assess AI models’ resilience against biometric spoofing attacks.
Anton Sergeev
‘The widespread introduction of biometric identification systems has been a consistent strategy for both businesses and governments in Russia and abroad. We must establish a strong defence against attacks on these systems. At present, we face serious challenges: biometric identification is already in place, but we do not yet have a so-called ‘biometric firewall.’ Recently, the adoption of Federal Law No. 41-FZ on the protection of citizens from cyberfraud further expanded the use of biometrics in the banking sector,’ said Anton Sergeev, Project Lead and Director of Centre for Software Development and Digital Services at HSE MIEM.
‘Our research is divided into two phases. This year, our project team will thoroughly analyse existing challenges in biometric attack detection and identify the most effective approaches to address them. Our ultimate goal is to create a technical foundation for implementing these ideas in practice. After that, we will move on to the second phase—trialling the developed solutions directly within the partner's ecosystem,’ added Anton Sergeev.
Brita Ilyagueva, Advisor to the CEO of MTS Web Services
‘The combination of MTS Web Services’ technological capabilities and HSE’s academic expertise represents a strategic step towards strengthening Russia’s digital sovereignty. By developing robust deepfake protection systems and advanced generative content solutions, we will not only ensure a higher level of user data security but also improve digital customer experience. We are building a technological foundation that will take domestic solutions to the next level of global competition.’
This collaboration is being carried out as part of the HSE AI Research Centre Programme. HSE University was previously announced as one of the winners of the third wave of research centre competitions in the field of artificial intelligence.
See also:
HSE University Brings Together Researchers at International AI Summer Institute in Shanghai
In early July 2025, the International Summer Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Education took place in Shanghai. It was organised by the HSE Institute of Education in cooperation with East China Normal University (ECNU). More than 50 early-career researchers and keynote speakers from nine countries—ranging from Russia and China to Canada and Singapore—gathered to share the latest findings from their work and to forge new international partnerships.
‘Economic Growth Without the AI Factor Is No Longer Possible’
The International Summer Institute on AI in Education has opened in Shanghai. The event is organised by the HSE Institute of Education in partnership with East China Normal University (ECNU). More than 50 participants and key speakers from over ten countries across Asia, Europe, North and South America have gathered to discuss the use of AI technologies in education and beyond.
Recommender Systems: New Algorithms and Current Practices
The AI and Digital Science Institute at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science hosted a conference focused on cutting-edge recommender system technologies. In an atmosphere of active knowledge sharing among leading industry experts, participants were introduced to the latest advancements and practical solutions in recommender model development.
AI to Enable Accurate Modelling of Data Storage System Performance
Researchers at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science have developed a new approach to modelling data storage systems based on generative machine learning models. This approach makes it possible to accurately predict the key performance characteristics of such systems under various conditions. Results have been published in the IEEE Access journal.
AI Predicts Behaviour of Quantum Systems
Scientists from HSE University, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Southern California, have developed an algorithm that rapidly and accurately predicts the behaviour of quantum systems, from quantum computers to solar panels. This methodology enabled the simulation of processes in the MoS₂ semiconductor and revealed that the movement of charged particles is influenced not only by the number of defects but also by their location. These defects can either slow down or accelerate charge transport, leading to effects that were previously difficult to account for with standard methods. The study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
‘Services Must Be Flexible’: How Governments Can Use Artificial Intelligence
The HSE International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration held a roundtable titled ‘Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration: Current Trends.’ Scholars from Israel, China, and Russia discussed which public services AI can enhance and what key factors must be considered when adopting new technologies.
Artificial Intelligence Improves Risk Prediction of Complex Diseases
Neural network models developed at the HSE AI Research Centre have significantly improved the prediction of risks for obesity, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and other complex diseases. A joint study with Genotek Ltd showed that deep learning algorithms outperform traditional methods, particularly in cases involving complex gene interactions (epistasis). The findings have been published in Frontiers in Medicine.
Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development
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.
HSE Develops Its Own MLOps Platform
HSE researchers have developed an MLOps platform called SmartMLOps. It has been created for artificial intelligence researchers who wish to transform their invention into a fully-fledged service. In the future, the platform may host AI assistants to simplify educational processes, provide medical support, offer consultations, and solve a wide range of other tasks. Creators of AI technologies will be able to obtain a ready-to-use service within just a few hours. Utilising HSE’s supercomputer, the service can be launched in just a few clicks.
‘HSE’s Industry Ties Are Invaluable’
Pan Zhengwu has spent the last seven years at HSE University—first as a student of the Bachelor’s in Software Engineering and now in the Master’s in System and Software Engineering at the Faculty of Computer Science. In addition to his busy academic schedule, he works as a mobile software engineer at Yandex and is an avid urban photographer. In his interview with the HSE News Service, Zhengwu talks about the challenges he faced when he first moved to Russia, shares his thoughts on ‘collaborating’ with AI, and reveals one of his top spots for taking photos in Moscow.