school
SMILES-2026 is the flagship summer school of Skoltech, part of the VEB.RF Group and Russia’s leading AI university. Organized by the Skoltech AI Center, the school focuses on large language models, multimodal and vision-language models, generative AI, and multi-agent systems for digital twins and industrial applications. This year we conduct it together with NJU (top 12 AI university in the world by NeurIPS publications).
The school is aimed at students and young scientists from all over the world. Participants will study modern generative and multimodal AI, including LLMs, foundation models for engineering data such as CAD and time series; multi-agent systems for planning and control; hybrid and physics-informed digital twins; and safe, reliable AI for high-risk industrial settings.
The school is aimed at students and young scientists from all over the world. Participants will study modern generative and multimodal AI, including LLMs, foundation models for engineering data such as CAD and time series; multi-agent systems for planning and control; hybrid and physics-informed digital twins; and safe, reliable AI for high-risk industrial settings.
directions
➔ Generative AI: Large Language Models, Vision-language and Multimodal models
➔ Multi-Agent Systems
➔ AI for Digital Twins, Engineering AI for Industrial Applications
➔ Safe and Reliable AI
➔ Computer Vision for Industrial and Multimodal Systems
➔ Multi-Agent Systems
➔ AI for Digital Twins, Engineering AI for Industrial Applications
➔ Safe and Reliable AI
➔ Computer Vision for Industrial and Multimodal Systems
- Working language:
English - Cost:
The school is free of charge; for participants selected for in-person attendance, accommodation and meals are fully covered by the organizers. Travel grants for flights from selected Russian cities will also be available for some participants. - Selection by competition:
Both in-person and online participation are subject to a competitive selection process. The application includes a registration form, CV, motivation letter, short test, and a brief video presentation on one of the school topics. Based on the results of the selection, 100 participants will be invited to attend in person, and up to 300 participants will join online. - Format:
In-person and online. - Visa:
Under the current temporary visa regime, for citizens of the Russian Federation, travel to China during the school period is visa-free.
venue
The summer school will be held at Nanjing University, Suzhou Campus, 1520 Taihu Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215163, China.
speakers
Academic Director of the school. Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vice President for AI Development, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Professor, Affiliated Professor at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity
Associate Professor of Statistics, Principal Investigator in Bayesian Deep Learning at KAUST
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Associate Professor in Machine Learning, Department of Computing, Imperial College London
Professor, University College London
Associate Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. PhD, Nanjing University / Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Associate Professor in Computational Intelligence, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University
PhD in Physics and Mathematics. Associate Professor. Head of the Generative AI Research Group at the Skoltech AI Center. Research Scientist, AIRI
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Full Professor. Head of the Laboratory for Reliable, Adaptive, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence at the Skoltech AI Center
School Director. PhD in Physics and Mathematics. Associate Professor at Skoltech, Head of the Skoltech–Sberbank Applied Research Laboratory at the Skoltech AI Center.
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Senior Research Scientist, Natural Language Processing Department, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
Assistant Professor and Distinguished Researcher, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Associate Professor, Department of Automation and Control Processes, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”
Professor at the University of Notre Dame, Associate Chair of the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Associate Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. PhD, Nanjing University / Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Academic Director of the school. Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vice President for AI Development, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Professor, Affiliated Professor at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity
Associate Professor in Computational Intelligence, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University
Professor, University College London
PhD in Physics and Mathematics. Associate Professor. Head of the Generative AI Research Group at the Skoltech AI Center. Research Scientist, AIRI
School Director. PhD in Physics and Mathematics. Associate Professor at Skoltech, Head of the Skoltech–Sberbank Applied Research Laboratory at the Skoltech AI Center.
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Full Professor. Head of the Laboratory for Reliable, Adaptive, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence at the Skoltech AI Center
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Associate Professor in Machine Learning, Department of Computing, Imperial College London
Associate Professor of Statistics, Principal Investigator in Bayesian Deep Learning at KAUST
Professor at the University of Notre Dame, Associate Chair of the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Associate Professor, Department of Automation and Control Processes, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”
Associate Professor, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
Senior Research Scientist, Natural Language Processing Department, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
Assistant Professor and Distinguished Researcher, School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Nanjing University
The final list of invited speakers for SMILES-2026 is currently in progress and will be announced upon confirmation.
projects & proceedings (SSPP)
Summer School Projects & Proceedings are short but genuine scientific research endeavors — not exercises or toy tasks, but real AI studies that result in published papers. Each project tackles a concrete, expert-formulated research hypothesis in areas ranging from large language models and computer vision to medical AI and generative modeling. Previously, the participants have published work on topics like adversarial attacks on LLM benchmarks, flood monitoring via satellite imagery, cancer subtype classification, and novel diffusion-based generative frameworks.
Projects are designed to be ambitious yet achievable: they begin a couple of weeks before the school itself and wrap up shortly after it ends, giving you enough runway to produce results you can genuinely be proud of. This extended timeline is intentional — good science takes a little more than a week, and SSPP is structured to support that reality.
Projects are designed to be ambitious yet achievable: they begin a couple of weeks before the school itself and wrap up shortly after it ends, giving you enough runway to produce results you can genuinely be proud of. This extended timeline is intentional — good science takes a little more than a week, and SSPP is structured to support that reality.
Two things traditionally hold students back from doing real AI research: not knowing what to investigate, and not having the computer to investigate it. SSPP removes both barriers.
You'll choose from a curated menu of research hypotheses designed by experienced researchers, so you're not starting from scratch, you're starting from a strong, well-scoped idea. And you'll be provided with the computational resources needed to actually test it.
Your team will design experiments, run them, analyze results, and write up your findings in a short scientific paper — the same format is used in top academic venues.
You'll choose from a curated menu of research hypotheses designed by experienced researchers, so you're not starting from scratch, you're starting from a strong, well-scoped idea. And you'll be provided with the computational resources needed to actually test it.
Your team will design experiments, run them, analyze results, and write up your findings in a short scientific paper — the same format is used in top academic venues.
Selected project reports are published in the SSPP: Smiles School Projects & Proceedings, a curated collection that showcases research meeting a high standard: pioneering explorations of emerging concepts, critical analysis of cutting-edge applications, or rigorous empirical studies that lay reliable groundwork for future research.
Being published in SSPP means your contribution is permanent and visible. But it doesn't stop there: if your work is strong enough for a top-tier venue, the school will actively support your submission to prestigious A* conferences and Q1 journals, including assistance with publication and conference fees (subject to availability).
Online or On-Campus — Same Opportunity
Whether you join in person or remotely, project participants receive equal access to mentorship, computation, and support. Your location doesn't determine your potential here.
Being published in SSPP means your contribution is permanent and visible. But it doesn't stop there: if your work is strong enough for a top-tier venue, the school will actively support your submission to prestigious A* conferences and Q1 journals, including assistance with publication and conference fees (subject to availability).
Online or On-Campus — Same Opportunity
Whether you join in person or remotely, project participants receive equal access to mentorship, computation, and support. Your location doesn't determine your potential here.
Because there's a meaningful difference between learning about AI and actually doing AI research. SSPP gives you the structure, the resources, and the expert guidance to cross that line and walk away with a paper, a publication credit, and the experience of having genuinely contributed to the field. This summer, don't just study AI. Help shape it
You can see the selected posters by following the link
participants
The school is designed for senior undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers, and young faculty working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, engineering, natural sciences, and industrial applications. We especially welcome applications from China, Russia, and other BRICS countries, while the school remains open to candidates from all countries.
selection process
Prospective participants are asked to submit a CV, write a motivation letter, complete the application test, provide a link to their application project repository, and submit a link to a short video in English. In the video, applicants should choose any challenging topic from machine learning or mathematics and explain it in very simple and accessible language. All applications will be reviewed comprehensively, and applicants must pass the test to avoid automatic rejection.
The motivation letter must be in English and must not exceed 1 page. Please make sure your motivation letter includes the following information: your reasons for applying to the school, ML/DL experience (if available), your scientific interests, your future career plans (academic or industry), and your plans after the summer school.
The CV must be in English and must not exceed 2 pages. If your CV has 2 pages, include information about your projects on Page 2. Please ensure your CV includes the following information (if applicable): education, thesis topic(s), work experience, teaching experience, scientific publications, selected projects, ML/DL skills + technologies and tools you have used or are proficient in.
You must pass the test in the application form for your whole application to be considered. You do not need to answer all questions correctly to pass. Please note that your test results will not be shown after submitting the form, but they will be taken into account during the application review.
Choose any challenging topic from machine learning, or mathematics and record a short video in which you explain it in a very simple and accessible language, as if you were explaining it to someone without a technical background. Examples of possible topics: generative adversarial networks, boosting, types of uncertainty in ML, quantization-aware training, diffusion models, fully sharded data parallel. Note that you are not expected to cover the topic exhaustively. What matters is whether you can explain the core idea accurately and identify the most important points.
Format
Maximum length: 5 minutes
Language: English
Topic: free choice
Video editing and a variety of presentation formats are permitted, such as voice-over narration, drawings, screen recordings, talking-head segments, or any combination of these.
This task is intended to assess:
- ability to explain complex ideas clearly and in a structured way;
- proficiency in English, including professional terminology;
- understanding of the chosen topic.
Publication of selected submissions
The best videos may be published on the organizers’ social media channels. Publication will require separate consent from the participant.
Format
Maximum length: 5 minutes
Language: English
Topic: free choice
Video editing and a variety of presentation formats are permitted, such as voice-over narration, drawings, screen recordings, talking-head segments, or any combination of these.
This task is intended to assess:
- ability to explain complex ideas clearly and in a structured way;
- proficiency in English, including professional terminology;
- understanding of the chosen topic.
Publication of selected submissions
The best videos may be published on the organizers’ social media channels. Publication will require separate consent from the participant.
Applicants are required to complete one of the 3 provided technical projects and submit a link to a public GitHub repository with their solution (see the exact list of required artifacts in the project repository). The repository must contain the full implementation and a report in Markdown format (SOLUTION.md). The solution should be reproducible. The repository must be made public after the application deadline so that it can be reviewed.
Links to the application projects:
1) https://github.com/On-Point-RND/SMILES-2026-Signal
2) https://github.com/On-Point-RND/SMILES-2026-ZO-Limited-Resnet
3) https://github.com/ahdr3w/SMILES-2026-Hallucination-Detection
Links to the application projects:
1) https://github.com/On-Point-RND/SMILES-2026-Signal
2) https://github.com/On-Point-RND/SMILES-2026-ZO-Limited-Resnet
3) https://github.com/ahdr3w/SMILES-2026-Hallucination-Detection
LLM usage policy
Authenticity is crucial. We strongly discourage using large language models, LLMs, to compose your application materials. Write in your own voice and present your real motivation and perspective. We will use an LLM detector to verify the integrity of all submitted materials.
posters
Participants who pass the selection process must prepare and present a poster with the results described in the abstract. This is a long-standing tradition of the summer school: we want all participants to get acquainted with each other’s work.
Only participants with a poster will get full access to the poster session and related academic activities.
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in LaTeX
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in PowerPoint
If the poster topic is not directly related to machine learning or data analysis, the author should also explain how machine learning and data analysis could help solve the problem more effectively.
Only participants with a poster will get full access to the poster session and related academic activities.
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in LaTeX
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in PowerPoint
If the poster topic is not directly related to machine learning or data analysis, the author should also explain how machine learning and data analysis could help solve the problem more effectively.
SMILES volunteer
SMILES volunteers help the organizing team make the school experience as interesting and comfortable as possible. They organize after-class activities, capture photos and videos, conduct interviews — and in return earn extra points in the selection for on-site participation.
➔ organizing social activities
➔ media and content creation
➔ logistical support
➔ organizing social activities
➔ media and content creation
➔ logistical support
training format
-
mandatory lectures on each field -
practical seminars mainly focused on demonstrating the operation and programming of the discussed methods and algorithms -
team formation of 2–4 people and implementation of one of the proposed projects during the hackathon -
session with presentations by teams on the results of the projects implemented during the summer school -
poster session with the presentation of the results of scientific works by the participants of the summer school -
the best presentations will be awarded with commemorative prizes
schedule
Each day will consist of three lectures or seminars, followed by time for working on projects and for relaxation. The schedule will be published later.
12/MAY
Application deadline
30/MAY
Admission lists
13/JULY
START >>>
apply
partners
host
general partner
partner of the Young Scientists Support Program
organizers
Evgeny
Burnaev
Burnaev
Alexey Zaytsev
Nikita
Kurdiukov
Kurdiukov
Nadezhda Shvartskopf
Ekaterina Boyarina
Egor
Shvetsov
Shvetsov
Alexandra Dukhanina
Vladimir
Zhernakov
Zhernakov
Alexandra Zdanovskaya
Inna
Vershinina
Vershinina
Ivan
Nebesikhin
Nebesikhin
Alexey Zaytsev
Evgeny
Burnaev
Burnaev
Egor
Shvetsov
Shvetsov
Nikita
Kurdiukov
Kurdiukov
Inna
Vershinina
Vershinina
Ekaterina Boyarina
Vladimir Zhernakov
Alexandra Dukhanina
Nadezhda Shvartskopf
Alexandra Zdanovskaya
Ivan
Nebesikhin
Nebesikhin
previous SMILES
FAQ
Senior undergraduate students, graduate students, PhD students, early-career researchers, and young faculty with a strong interest in machine learning, Engineering AI, and industrial applications.
No. Anyone who passes the selection process may participate.
Accommodation and meals are fully covered by the organizers. If you plan to attend the school in person and need compensation for travel expenses, including airfare, please indicate this in your application and provide a brief justification for travel support. Such support will be available to participants who rank among the top applicants in the competitive selection process. We will do our best to make participation comfortable for those who truly need this support and demonstrate strong results.
There are no such restrictions, anyone who passes the selection process can take part in the school. However, organizer-funded airfare to China is available only for departures from cities within the Russian Federation, namely Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, and Kazan.
The application process will be open until May 12. We will review all applications and send invitations to selected participants on May 30.
We want to share your work with all summer school participants and faculty members. We have planned various activities for discussing your work, where you can also learn about the projects of other participants.
We welcome all types of projects and publications. They can include both published work and work in development.
SMILES participants will receive a digital (in the case of online participation) or paper certificate confirming their participation at the end of the event.
SMILES volunteers are enthusiastic participants who become part of the organizing team. They help make the school not only educational, but truly unforgettable for everyone. Outside of lectures and workshops, volunteers take on various extra roles. For example:
- Organizing social activities: hosting games, quizzes, sports or creative evenings so that participants can unwind, bond with each other, and enjoy a fun break from studies in a friendly setting.
- Media and content creation: taking photos, shooting videos, and interviewing fellow students and speakers – even running the school’s social media with live updates. This way, all the best moments of SMILES are captured and shared with the community, keeping everyone engaged from start to finish.
- Logistical support: handling small organizational tasks – helping with distributing materials, assisting instructors during sessions, or keeping an eye on the schedule. Volunteers are on the ground to help peers and ensure everything runs smoothly and comfortably.
Having volunteers injects the event with a special energy and personal touch. They bring experience, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas while interacting with fellow students as equals. The core staff can focus on the academic program, and volunteers complement it with community spirit: fostering teamwork, suggesting new fun initiatives, and turning the school into a lively, welcoming space. For participants, this means a richer experience – a warm, collaborative atmosphere, an exciting lineup of extracurricular activities, and tons of memorable photos and stories. It’s no coincidence that many educational events embrace a similar “students for students” approach.
Likewise, major AI conferences rely on student volunteers who contribute their passion and knowledge to make the event memorable for all involved.
What do volunteers get in return?
First, invaluable experience in event organization and teamwork – a chance to develop leadership skills, creativity, and communication in a real-world setting. Second, as a volunteer you become a co-creator of the event, and we will recognize your contribution: you’ll earn the gratitude of the organizers and stand out as an integral part of the SMILES community. And importantly, volunteers receive extra points in the selection process for on-site participation, boosting your chances to join the school in person. It’s a win-win: you help make the event amazing for everyone, and you yourself gain more experience, opportunities, and recognition in the process.
- Organizing social activities: hosting games, quizzes, sports or creative evenings so that participants can unwind, bond with each other, and enjoy a fun break from studies in a friendly setting.
- Media and content creation: taking photos, shooting videos, and interviewing fellow students and speakers – even running the school’s social media with live updates. This way, all the best moments of SMILES are captured and shared with the community, keeping everyone engaged from start to finish.
- Logistical support: handling small organizational tasks – helping with distributing materials, assisting instructors during sessions, or keeping an eye on the schedule. Volunteers are on the ground to help peers and ensure everything runs smoothly and comfortably.
Having volunteers injects the event with a special energy and personal touch. They bring experience, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas while interacting with fellow students as equals. The core staff can focus on the academic program, and volunteers complement it with community spirit: fostering teamwork, suggesting new fun initiatives, and turning the school into a lively, welcoming space. For participants, this means a richer experience – a warm, collaborative atmosphere, an exciting lineup of extracurricular activities, and tons of memorable photos and stories. It’s no coincidence that many educational events embrace a similar “students for students” approach.
Likewise, major AI conferences rely on student volunteers who contribute their passion and knowledge to make the event memorable for all involved.
What do volunteers get in return?
First, invaluable experience in event organization and teamwork – a chance to develop leadership skills, creativity, and communication in a real-world setting. Second, as a volunteer you become a co-creator of the event, and we will recognize your contribution: you’ll earn the gratitude of the organizers and stand out as an integral part of the SMILES community. And importantly, volunteers receive extra points in the selection process for on-site participation, boosting your chances to join the school in person. It’s a win-win: you help make the event amazing for everyone, and you yourself gain more experience, opportunities, and recognition in the process.
contacts