summer school
of machine learning
of machine learning
July 14–27
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), located in Harbin, China
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), located in Harbin, China
|SMILES
2025
Scientific
partner
partner
Host
General
partner
partner
summer school
of machine learning
of machine learning
July 14–27
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), located in Harbin, China
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), located in Harbin, China
|SMILES
2025
school
The Skoltech Summer School of Machine Learning (SMILES-2025) is a 12-day intensive course focused on generative methods in AI. It is organized by Skoltech in collaboration with the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China. The program will take place from July 14 to July 27, 2025.
SMILES-2025 will welcome 100 participants from all over the world attending in person, while up to 300 participants will join online. All attendees will have access to cutting-edge lectures, hands-on workshops, and hackathons designed to tackle real-world industry challenges. The school aims to bring together talented young researchers from Russia and China. One of the key goals of SMILES-2025 is to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Participants will gain practical experience in advanced AI techniques, including generative models, multimodal methods, large language models, multi-agent systems. The school also offers professional networking, career development, mentoring from industry experts, and a cultural excursion for a well-rounded experience.
SMILES-2025 will welcome 100 participants from all over the world attending in person, while up to 300 participants will join online. All attendees will have access to cutting-edge lectures, hands-on workshops, and hackathons designed to tackle real-world industry challenges. The school aims to bring together talented young researchers from Russia and China. One of the key goals of SMILES-2025 is to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Participants will gain practical experience in advanced AI techniques, including generative models, multimodal methods, large language models, multi-agent systems. The school also offers professional networking, career development, mentoring from industry experts, and a cultural excursion for a well-rounded experience.
directions
➔ Large language models
➔ Multimodal approaches
➔ Multi-agent systems
➔ Generative approaches
➔ Self-supervised learning
➔ Safe AI
➔ Multimodal approaches
➔ Multi-agent systems
➔ Generative approaches
➔ Self-supervised learning
➔ Safe AI
Cost:
the school is free of charge; travel grants* for flights; accommodation costs and meals are fully covered by the organizers.
*travel grants cover tickets from major Russian cities (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Yekateringburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Kazan). The exact list is being finalized.
the school is free of charge; travel grants* for flights; accommodation costs and meals are fully covered by the organizers.
*travel grants cover tickets from major Russian cities (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Yekateringburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Kazan). The exact list is being finalized.
Format:
in-person and online
in-person and online
Working language:
English
English
Visa:
to travel to China, you need to apply for a visa; standard fee for Russian citizens is 6,300 RUB; the process doesn't take much time and effort, and we will provide assistance if needed
to travel to China, you need to apply for a visa; standard fee for Russian citizens is 6,300 RUB; the process doesn't take much time and effort, and we will provide assistance if needed
Selection by competition:
is mandatory for both in-person and online participation
is mandatory for both in-person and online participation
venue
The summer school will be held at the Faculty of Computing of the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in Harbin, China.
organizers
Evgeny
Burnaev
Burnaev
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Alexey Zaytsev
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of the LARSS Laboratory at the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Petr
Sokerin
Sokerin
Program Coordinator,
Research Engineer,
Skoltech AI Center.
Instructor of professional education programs
Research Engineer,
Skoltech AI Center.
Instructor of professional education programs
Evgeny
Burnaev
Burnaev
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Alexey Zaytsev
Program Coordinator,
Research Engineer,
Skoltech AI Center.
Instructor of professional education programs
Research Engineer,
Skoltech AI Center.
Instructor of professional education programs
Petr
Sokerin
Sokerin
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of the LARSS Laboratory at the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
speakers
Vadim Ayuyev
Oleg
Rogov
Rogov
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of RSI group at AIRI and the SAIL MTUCI laboratorty. Research scientist, Skoltech
Ph.D. in Technical Sciences. Head of the laboratory of multimodal generative AI, FusionBrain, AIRI. One of the founders of the Kandinsky family of image and video synthesis models
Andrey Kuznetsov
Dongjing
Miao
Miao
Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology. Doctoral supervisor, executive member of CCF Theoretical Computer Science Committee, member of CCF Database Committee, winner of Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation Outstanding Youth Fund, deputy director of Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Big Data Science and Engineering
Associate Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology
Chengjie
Sun
Sun
Yuanchao
Liu
Liu
Ph.D., Associate Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science, Harbin Institute of Technology. Senior member of the China Computer Society, Member of the Emotional Computing Committee of the Chinese Information Processing Society, Member of the Natural Language Generation and Intelligent Writing Committee
Head of the Advanced Analytics Models and Methods Directorate,
Alfa-Bank
Alfa-Bank
Head of the Natural Language Processing Competence Center,
Alfa-Bank
Alfa-Bank
Alexander Senin
Maria
Tikhonova
Tikhonova
Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Higher School of Economics.
Head of the AGI NLP Research Group, SberDevices, Sber
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Higher School of Economics.
Head of the AGI NLP Research Group, SberDevices, Sber
Sergey Barannikov
Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of California – Berkeley. Senior Research Fellow at the Igor Krichever Center for Advanced Studies, Skoltech
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor, Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Ivan
Tyukin
Tyukin
Egor
Shvetsov
Shvetsov
Curator of Project Activities and Lecture Planning, Head of the AI Center Division, Skoltech
Irina Piontkovskaya
Head of the NLP Research Team, RRI
Alexander Korotin
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of the Research Group at the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech. Research Scientist, AIRI
Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology. Doctoral supervisor, executive member of CCF Theoretical Computer Science Committee, member of CCF Database Committee, winner of Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation Outstanding Youth Fund, deputy director of Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Big Data Science and Engineering
Dongjing
Miao
Miao
Ph.D. in Technical Sciences. Head of the laboratory of multimodal generative AI, FusionBrain, AIRI. One of the founders of the Kandinsky family of image and video synthesis models
Andrey Kuznetsov
Oleg
Rogov
Rogov
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of RSI group at AIRI and the SAIL MTUCI laboratorty. Research scientist, Skoltech
Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of California – Berkeley. Senior Research Fellow at the Igor Krichever Center for Advanced Studies, Skoltech
Head of the Advanced Analytics Models and Methods Directorate,
Alfa-Bank
Alfa-Bank
Vadim Ayuyev
Sergey Barannikov
Ivan
Tyukin
Tyukin
Ph.D., Associate Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science, Harbin Institute of Technology. Senior member of the China Computer Society, Member of the Emotional Computing Committee of the Chinese Information Processing Society, Member of the Natural Language Generation and Intelligent Writing Committee
Yuanchao
Liu
Liu
Head of the Natural Language Processing Competence Center,
Alfa-Bank
Alfa-Bank
Alexander Senin
Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics. Professor, the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech
Associate Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology
Chengjie
Sun
Sun
Irina Piontkovskaya
Head of the NLP Research Team, RRI
Ph.D. in Computer Science. Associate Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Higher School of Economics.
Head of the AGI NLP Research Group, SberDevices, Sber
Head of the AGI NLP Research Group, SberDevices, Sber
Maria
Tikhonova
Tikhonova
Egor
Shvetsov
Shvetsov
Curator of Project Activities and Lecture Planning, Head of the AI Center Division, Skoltech
Alexander Korotin
Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. Head of the Research Group at the Artificial Intelligence Center, Skoltech. Research Scientist, AIRI
The list of speakers is preliminary and subject to change and expansion.
participants
SMILES-2025 is designed for students, graduate students, early-career researchers, and AI enthusiasts from Russia and China who are actively engaged in advancing modern machine learning through innovative research and applications.
selection process
Potential participants are required to submit the following set of documents and complete a small test
Describing your: education level, participation in scientific work, scientific events and teaching activities. Achievements: published articles, relevant work experience, topics of interest, thesis topics with the place of graduation. ML/DL tool skills and proficiency. 1-2 pages, in English.
Up to 1000 words long in which it is necessary to disclose: motivation to participate in school, ML/DL experience, if available, school expectations and future career plans. In English.
Test with 10 questions on relevant calculus, statistics, machine learning and deep learning. You will be able to write your answers to the test after filling out the registration form below.
Review Presentation: slides (pdf) + video recording (mp4/avi/mov/webm), in English. Video recording is optional but it will give you extra points.
There are three possible options for a review:
The video should last 5-10 minutes; ensure it captures your face, voice, and the slides. Upload the video to a cloud drive and don't forget to give us access to view it.
The technical presentation should include:
You can find the example of the presentation here.
There are three possible options for a review:
- A description of your own ML/DL research
- A reproduction of the results of an article from one of the school's topics over the past 5 years. Adding ideas for improvement will be considered an additional plus to your application.
- A review of at least 3 articles on one of the school's topics
The video should last 5-10 minutes; ensure it captures your face, voice, and the slides. Upload the video to a cloud drive and don't forget to give us access to view it.
The technical presentation should include:
- Introduction
- Problem statement
- Methods
- Link to the repository if the article is being reproduced
You can find the example of the presentation here.
You can find a video tutorial on submitting the application and uploading the documents here.
LLM usage policy
Authenticity is crucial
We strongly discourage using large language models (LLMs) to compose your application materials. Instead, write from your heart, in your own voice, to capture your one-of-a-kind perspective and passion. We read hundreds of applications and look for submissions that demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and originality. While LLMs can be tempting, they tend to produce generic content with little value — ultimately reducing your chances of success. Please note that we will employ an LLM detector to verify the integrity of all submitted materials.
We strongly discourage using large language models (LLMs) to compose your application materials. Instead, write from your heart, in your own voice, to capture your one-of-a-kind perspective and passion. We read hundreds of applications and look for submissions that demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and originality. While LLMs can be tempting, they tend to produce generic content with little value — ultimately reducing your chances of success. Please note that we will employ an LLM detector to verify the integrity of all submitted materials.
posters
Participants who have passed the selection process must prepare and present a poster with the results described in the abstract at the conference. This is a long-standing tradition of summer schools: we want to introduce all school participants to your work. Only with a poster, you will get access to SMILES.
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in LATEX
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in POWERPOINT
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in LATEX
➔ (PDF) example of a poster made in POWERPOINT
*The poster topic may not be related to machine learning and data analysis. In this case, the author must also present their thoughts on how machine learning and data analysis could allow for a more efficient solution to the problem.
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.
23/APRIL
Application deadline
20/MAY
Admission lists
14/JULY
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host
general partner
scientific partner
registration is closed
previous SMILES
FAQ
Anyone with a personal project or publication related to machine learning can apply. This includes PhD students, master's students, industry representatives, and faculty members. You have to be 18 and older to apply.
There are no such restrictions, anyone who passes the selection process can take part in the school.
There are no such restrictions, anyone who passes the selection process can take part in the school. However, the flight to China is paid by the organizers only from the cities of the Russian Federation (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Kazan). The exact list is being finalized.
SMILES does not require any fees for participation.
The application process will be open until April 20. We will review all applications and send invitations to selected participants on May 20.
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
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)
Bolshoy Boulevard 30, bld.1
Skolkovo Innovation Center Territory
Bolshoy Boulevard 30, bld.1
Skolkovo Innovation Center Territory