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:
When a Virus Steps on a Mine: Ancient Mechanism of Infected Cell Self-Destruction Discovered
When a virus enters a cell, it disrupts the cell’s normal functions. It was previously believed that the cell's protective response to the virus triggered cellular self-destruction. However, a study involving bioinformatics researchers at HSE University has revealed a different mechanism: the cell does not react to the virus itself but to its own transcripts, which become abnormally long. The study has been published in Nature.
Researchers Identify Link between Bilingualism and Cognitive Efficiency
An international team of researchers, including scholars from HSE University, has discovered that knowledge of a foreign language can improve memory performance and increase automaticity when solving complex tasks. The higher a person’s language proficiency, the stronger the effect. The results have been published in the journal Brain and Cognition.
Artificial Intelligence Transforms Employment in Russian Companies
Russian enterprises rank among the world’s top ten leaders in AI adoption. In 2023, nearly one-third of domestic companies reported using artificial intelligence. According to a new study by Larisa Smirnykh, Professor at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences, the impact of digitalisation on employment is uneven: while the introduction of AI in small and large enterprises led to a reduction in the number of employees, in medium-sized companies, on the contrary, it contributed to job growth. The article has been published in Voprosy Ekonomiki.
Lost Signal: How Solar Activity Silenced Earth's Radiation
Researchers from HSE University and the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences analysed seven years of data from the ERG (Arase) satellite and, for the first time, provided a detailed description of a new type of radio emission from near-Earth space—the hectometric continuum, first discovered in 2017. The researchers found that this radiation appears a few hours after sunset and disappears one to three hours after sunrise. It was most frequently observed during the summer months and less often in spring and autumn. However, by mid-2022, when the Sun entered a phase of increased activity, the radiation had completely vanished—though the scientists believe the signal may reappear in the future. The study has been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.
‘Engagement in the Scientific Process’: HSE Launches Master’s Programme in Neurobiology
The HSE University Academic Council has elected to launch a new Master's programme in Neurobiology for students majoring in Biology. Students of the programme will have access to unique equipment and research groups, providing them with the knowledge and experience to pursue careers in science, medicine and pharmacy, IT and neurotechnology, and education and HR services.
Banking Crises Drive Biodiversity Loss
Economists from HSE University, MGIMO University, and Bocconi University have found that financial crises have a significant negative impact on biodiversity and the environment. This relationship appears to be bi-directional: as global biodiversity declines, the likelihood of new crises increases. The study examines the status of populations encompassing thousands of species worldwide over the past 50 years. The article has been published in Economics Letters, an international journal.
Scientists Discover That the Brain Responds to Others’ Actions as if They Were Its Own
When we watch someone move their finger, our brain doesn’t remain passive. Research conducted by scientists from HSE University and Lausanne University Hospital shows that observing movement activates the motor cortex as if we were performing the action ourselves—while simultaneously ‘silencing’ unnecessary muscles. The findings were published in Scientific Reports.
Russian Scientists Investigate Age-Related Differences in Brain Damage Volume Following Childhood Stroke
A team of Russian scientists and clinicians, including Sofya Kulikova from HSE University in Perm, compared the extent and characteristics of brain damage in children who experienced a stroke either within the first four weeks of life or before the age of two. The researchers found that the younger the child, the more extensive the brain damage—particularly in the frontal and parietal lobes, which are responsible for movement, language, and thinking. The study, published in Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, provides insights into how age can influence the nature and extent of brain lesions and lays the groundwork for developing personalised rehabilitation programmes for children who experience a stroke early in life.
Scientists Test Asymmetry Between Matter and Antimatter
An international team, including scientists from HSE University, has collected and analysed data from dozens of experiments on charm mixing—the process in which an unstable charm meson oscillates between its particle and antiparticle states. These oscillations were observed only four times per thousand decays, fully consistent with the predictions of the Standard Model. This indicates that no signs of new physics have yet been detected in these processes, and if unknown particles do exist, they are likely too heavy to be observed with current equipment. The paper has been published in Physical Review D.
Institute for Robotics Systems Established at HSE University
As decided by the HSE University Academic Council, a new Institute for Robotics Systems will be established at HSE, and with a strong fundamental base. It will cooperate with relevant departments across the university and engage students and doctoral candidates in research and development (R&D). First Vice Rector of HSE University and Director of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Leonid Gokhberg, discussed the expected practical results and the framework for cooperation with an industrial partner.