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.
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