Research & Expertise

International Conference on Ensuring Food Sovereignty in Africa held in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia at the end of November 2025.

The International Foresight Session on AI development trends was held at M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University with the organizational and methodological support of the Foresight Center, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics. Leading foreign and Russian scientists took part in the event.

Experts from HSE University took part in the BRICS Academic Forum (FABRICS) held in the capital of Brazil this year. The main theme of the event was to discuss cooperation among countries in the Global South amid geopolitical turbulence and rapid technological change. Academics and experts from BRICS member states and partner nations explored topics such as global healthcare, AI technologies, trade, climate change, and reform of the multilateral global security and governance architecture.

Expert Seminar on comprehensive study outcomes of AI development promising areas conducted in 2024 took place at HSE University Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK). Attendees discussed methodological approaches to determining AI development priorities in research planned for 2025.

The 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development brought together leading Russian and Western scientists. Among the guests was Jose Luis Cordeiro, PhD, international fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, Chair of the Millennium Project's Venezuela node, former professor at MIPT and HSE University, and author of The Death of Death.

The future is now more difficult for researchers to forecast, and events that are hard to predict are playing an increasingly significant role. But there is good news too: scientists are confident that humanity will adapt to any changes. This was the focus of discussion at the International Symposium ‘Foresight in a Rapidly Changing World,’ which took place as part of the 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

The HSE Foresight Centre has been featured in a report by the United Nations Secretary-General as a successful example of a centralised approach to technology foresight. The document was prepared for the twenty-eighth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which is the United Nations’ focal point for technology foresight and technology assessment.

In the context of increasing global competition, countries arestriving to ensure technological sovereignty. Those who can ensure economic development and concentrate intangible assets and human capital are emerging as leaders. The growing demand for qualified staff leads to an increase in the role of universities and the demand for early-career scientists. The challenges and opportunities for prospective specialists in the scientific community were discussed at the ‘StratPro Platform’ strategic session at HSE University.

An intersessional meeting of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development took place on October 21–22, 2024, at the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. ProfessorAlexander Sokolov presented new methods of scientific forecasting in his report titled ‘Science and Technology Foresight: Responding to New Agenda.’

In September, the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge hosted an international working meeting with representatives from Brazilian, Egyptian, and Indian think tanks. The participants discussed opportunities for cooperation, including joint surveys, comparative studies, databases, and publications on foresight, technology, and innovation. It was also decided to draft a multilateral agreement to establish the BRICS Foresight Association.