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On October 08, at Samara University, the first lecture of the regional track of the Sber Scientific Prize was delivered. Aleksandr Korotin, Candidate of Physics and Mathematics, winner of the 2024 Sber Scientific Prize, delivered his lecture “On trends in generative AI for working with images”.
The University’s students immersed themselves in the basics of generative artificial intelligence and studied how modern neural networks are used for transforming visual data: enhancing resolution, restoring compressed images, completing missing fragments and transferring style. Aleksandr explained how these technologies have developed, from the first mathematical models to modern solutions that are already being used in engineering, science and creative industries.
According to the lecturer, generative AI is rapidly turning into a reliable tool for researchers and developers. “This theme was chosen for a reason: generative AI has great potential, rapidly developing and becoming a human assistant in many areas. I hope that today’s meeting will inspire students to engage in AI as a fundamental science and as an applied field, contributing to our country’s development”, noted Aleksandr Korotin.
Mikhail Kovalev, Samara University’s Vice-Rector for General Affairs, emphasized that such initiatives help students see real scientific and career growth opportunities, “I am sure that what we have heard today will motivate our students and postgraduate students, providing them with the opportunity to see real prospects for developing science in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as will launch new projects. It is especially valuable that Sber not only celebrates researchers’ achievements, but also creates platforms for a lively dialogue between students and scientists.”
Natalia Zaitler, Chairperson of Sberbank’s Volga Region Bank, noted that the Sber Scientific Prize means not only recognition of achievements, but also support for the future generation of researchers, “Young scientists are our future, and they determine the vector of our country’s technological progress. I am sure that today’s meeting with talented representatives of the scientific community will be a powerful impetus for the new generation of innovators and science leaders.”
This year, the Sber Science Prize has collected the record number of applications (290), which is almost three times more than last year. 214 papers were submitted in three main categories, 76 more – in the categories for young scientists “AI in science”, dedicated to research using artificial intelligence.
The regional track of the Sber Science Prize is held in Samara for the second year in a row. Its goals are involving young researchers in science, introducing students to leading industry experts and demonstrating how modern technologies become a tool for creativity and professional growth. Samara University and Sber implement joint initiatives in the field of education, science and innovation, and a series of lectures within the framework of the award is one of such points of collaboration.
The presentation was followed by an open discussion: students asked questions, discussed how neural networks “understand” visual content, and shared their ideas. One of the most interesting questions was asked by Tikhon Stepanov, a second-year student of the Institute of IT and Cybernetics. He asked if it was possible to distribute computing loads between users’ free computers and how this could affect the cost and efficiency of neural-network training. For his question, Tikhon received a gift from the University’s educational project “Possessed by Science”.
“I’ve already had experience of working with neural networks, but at a simpler level. Due to this lecture, a lot of things has become clearer: how modern generative models work, and what tools can be used. It is useful to see real examples and understand where to go next if you want to develop in this area”, shared Tikhon.
Ahead, there are new meetings within the framework of the regional track, including the lecture “Formulas for effective communication”, which will take place this Friday.
Photo by Olesya Orina
