Russian Universities Teach Students How to Use AI for Thesis Writing

More than 500 students from 11 universities across Russia were trained to use neural networks in academic writing—with an emphasis on critical thinking.

A Russian tech company has trained over 500 students from 11 universities to use neural networks when writing their graduation theses. The large-scale educational initiative focused on practical use cases for AI tools across various stages of the writing process.

According to data provided by Yandex and reported by CNews, 60% of participants used AI to structure their texts, 51% for composing literature reviews, and 47% to draft early versions. Meanwhile, 45% employed AI for data processing, and 42% relied on it to refine text style.

What made the program stand out was its emphasis on critical engagement with technology. During thesis defenses, students were expected to explain in detail how they used AI tools, and faculty panels evaluated the degree of informed and intentional application.

Following the program, the company conducted a survey: only 17% of students reported using AI at every stage of the project. Another 45% used it selectively, while 34% engaged with it sporadically.

Meanwhile, more Russian universities are introducing academic guidelines for using AI. These documents stress two main points: students must verify all data generated by AI, and they remain responsible for any content produced with its assistance.