Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov extended their heartfelt congratulations to the Russian national team for their exceptional triumph at the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad, recently concluded in China. The inspiring message was broadcast directly from the International Space Station (ISS), an announcement confirmed by the Central University.
The Russian contingent showcased an unparalleled performance, securing the top position among an impressive 300 participants representing 61 different nations in the overall standings. They established a new record for the highest number of gold medals awarded in the competition, ultimately claiming six gold medals, alongside one silver and one bronze. The team`s rigorous preparation was diligently supervised by experts from the Central University, with significant collaborative support from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Alliance and the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.
“We sincerely congratulate you on this truly remarkable achievement. Our congratulations are also extended to your dedicated mentors from the Central University, who made an immense contribution to the preparation of these champions, as well as to the staff of the AI Alliance, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and your parents. Everyone provided invaluable support to your extraordinary team,” Ryzhikov conveyed in a statement released by the university.
Acknowledging the Talented Participants
The honor of representing their country at this distinguished global competition was held by a group of highly talented Russian schoolchildren, hailing from various cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ufa, and Vladivostok:
- Matvey Belyaev
- Mikhail Vershinin
- Timur Garifullin
- Danis Dinmukhametov
- Oleg Drokanov
- Andrey Khlopotnykh
- Artem Mazur
- Konstantin Sigalov
Cosmonaut Oleg Platonov seized the opportunity to encourage the victorious students, urging them not to rest on their laurels but to relentlessly pursue excellence and strive for even greater heights in their future endeavors. He expressed profound confidence that the unwavering determination and ambitious spirit demonstrated by these young scholars would undoubtedly lead them to many more significant and graceful victories in the years to come.
Alexey Zubritsky specifically highlighted the historical significance of this victory, noting that it marks the second consecutive occasion the Russian team has achieved a record-breaking performance at the International AI Olympiad. He recalled that in 2024, the team, also meticulously prepared by the Central University, secured a decisive victory at the inaugural International AI Olympiad held in Bulgaria. During that initial competition, they substantially outperformed competitors from 39 countries, including prominent technological nations such as China, Japan, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth