Sber and HSE University are launching a digital inclusion program using artificial intelligence.

      May 19, 2026 15:24 Society On May 18, within the framework of the conference "Digital Industry of Industrial Russia" in Nizhny Novgorod, the manager of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Sberbank, Natalia Demina, and the director of HSE Nizhny Novgorod, Anna Blyakhman, signed an agreement on cooperation aimed at developing digital inclusion. The partnership aims to ensure equal access to digital services and AI solutions for all residents, including people with disabilities. As part of the cooperation, the parties will conduct joint research. Pilot projects are planned for the implementation of technologies in education, social sphere, and governance in the Nizhny Novgorod region. A separate direction will be the organization of hackathons and other events promoting digital inclusion. Natalia Demina, manager of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Sberbank: "The digital environment must be barrier-free. Together with HSE, we plan to create and implement AI tools that will help remove limitations and open quality digital services to every resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The combination of Sber's technological expertise and the research expertise of the Higher School of Economics will allow us to implement projects that are truly in demand by society." Anna Blyakhman, director of HSE Nizhny Novgorod: "For HSE Nizhny Novgorod, a new aspect in long-term cooperation with Sber is a logical development of the strategy 'university without borders.' The signed agreement will allow us to move from targeted initiatives, such as the recently organized hackathon 'Design Without Borders' in collaboration with the Laboratory of Inclusive Technologies of the Nizhny Novgorod region, to a systemic transformation of the digital environment of the region. Together with partners, we have already seen how our students, teaming up with IT industry experts, can find solutions for real federal services in just a few days. Now, relying on Sber's artificial intelligence technologies and the research expertise of the Higher School of Economics, we will be able to replicate this practice, making the digital world comfortable and accessible for every resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region." NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+