Demand for Master Classes and Training Courses in Russia Has Decreased — But AI Training Is Booming
A General Decline in Education and Training Demand
In recent months, Russia has witnessed a notable decline in demand for traditional master classes and training courses. Several factors have contributed to this downturn:
- Economic Pressures and High Interest Rates
Russia’s economy continues to grapple with the consequences of prolonged conflict and sanctions. As reported by analysts, the central bank’s key rate has stabilized at an exceptionally high 21% for three consecutive times, pushing corporate borrowing costs beyond 25%.
This financial burden has led firms to trim discretionary expenditures—including budgets for employee training and development. - Curtailment of Hiring and Optimized Budgets
According to hh.ru and the Bank of Russia, the number of vacancies decreased by around 15% in early 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year, down to approximately 2.3 million available jobs. Companies are opting to optimize staffing and budgets rather than invest in expansive learning initiatives. - Reduced Enrollment in In-Person and Off-Site Master Classes
Under these tougher conditions, both corporate clients and individual learners have scaled back on face-to-face master classes and offline professional workshops. While public statistics are limited, anecdotal industry feedback suggests a reallocation of funds toward cost-effective or internal training.
Why AI Training Courses Are in a Different Lane
Contrary to the general slowdown in training demand, AI-focused programs and master classes are experiencing a remarkable uptick—driven by business necessity, academic innovation, and strategic support from government bodies.
1. Surge in AI-Related Vacancies and Roles
Izvestia reports that vacancies featuring “AI” keywords grew by over 4% in 2024, with double-digit growth in specific sectors: development (+136%), education (+101%), and finance (+55%). Furthermore, demand for AI trainers—specialists who teach, supervise, and refine AI systems—has almost tripled over the past year.
Companies seek professionals combining expertise in programming, linguistics, and analytical psychology to bridge human–AI interactions.
2. Expanding AI Education Programs in Higher Education
Universities are responding to market demands by expanding AI curricula. The HSE University online master’s program in Artificial Intelligence saw enrollment soar from about 260 to over 450 first-year students within a year. A new specialization in large language model (LLM) production was also introduced.
Additionally, under the federal Artificial Intelligence initiative, universities have rolled out over 120 new AI programs between 2021–2024, supporting more than 15,000 students, including 10,000 undergraduates, with over 5,000 teachers retrained in AI competencies.
3. Government Support and Strategic National Programs
Federal and regional initiatives are accelerating AI talent development. For instance:
- The Ministry of Education and Science, together with the AI Alliance, has developed AI competency models, embedded “AI Systems” modules into curricula, and already retrained over 3,000 educators .
- Plans are afoot to train at least 10,000 AI specialists by 2030 via the TOP-AI project.
- Schools and colleges are poised to offer extracurricular AI clubs and electives, anchored by proposals to launch pilot AI courses and a national online AI learning platform.
4. Elevated Salaries and AI-Upskilling Incentives
Employers are recognizing the value of AI skills:
- Some are offering 10–20% higher pay to employees proficient in AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and Kandinsky.
- Nearly 50% of companies invest in AI upskilling through mentoring, specialized courses, and industry certifications.
What This Means for the Education Landscape
The Russian training market is polarizing:
- On one end, traditional in-person master classes and general training programs are declining due to economic contraction.
- On the other, AI-centric education is experiencing robust growth—fueled by demand for high-tech skills, strategic public investment, and a shift toward scalable digital learning.
Institutions and EdTech providers can ride this wave by pivoting toward AI-enabled, hybrid, or fully remote training formats. Online platforms like GeekBrains, already a major player in Russian EdTech, stand well-positioned to capitalize on this demand by introducing or scaling AI program offerings.