Science is complex but it’s well worth it, says Kyiv Polytechnic researcher
Today, we witness artificial intelligence permeating into all spheres of life at an unprecedented pace, transforming the labour market, scientific research, social communication, global security, and the economy. The Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) was among the very first to begin applying AI in its research activities. In particular, researchers at the Department of Artificial Intelligence of the KPI Institute for Applied System Analysis are focused on ensuring that AI remains a tool for progress and contributes to sustainable development.
Among them is Vira Huskova, Associate Professor at the Department of Artificial Intelligence, who works on the application of various artificial intelligence and forecasting methods and approaches to develop systems that facilitate decision-making and complex socio-economic and technological processes. Supported by the Kyiv Polytechnic’s Ukrainian-French Centre and Héloïse Marmouset de la Taille, Cooperation Attachée for Higher Education and Science at the French Embassy in Ukraine, she has recently completed an internship at École Polytechnique, one of the Europe’s finest engineering schools.
Nadiia Libert, Senior Editor of the Kyiv Polytechnic Newspaper, spoke with Vira Huskova and Iryna Dzhygyrey, Acting Head of the AI Department, about professional experience and collaborative opportunities. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
“My internship at the École Polytechnique in Paris was a valuable professional and enriching worldview experience,” says Vira Huskova. “The acquired experience can be effectively implemented at KPI, particularly through joint scientific workshops, research groups focused on AI safety, robustness and explainability, as well as through the development of international master’s and PhD projects.”
“In prospect, we see opportunities to make joint applications for grant funding under Horizon Europe and France-Ukraine bilateral programmes, to launch short-term mobility programmes for students and postgraduates, and to publish co-authored papers in top-tier academic journals,” adds Iryna Dzhygyrey.
In the past decade, it has become too evident how confidently women have occupied their niche in the scientific field at KPI. Vira Huskova shared willingly what it is like to succeed both in work and in life: “The main challenge for women in science today lies in harmonising high professional standards with expectations in society about the role of women. Science requires time, continuous learning, mobility, and international collaboration with other universities and organisations to understand whether the approaches and methods applied are competitive and aimed at achieving high-quality results. In addition to this, a woman must prove her expertise whilst balancing family life, relationships with relatives, scientific research, and personal development.”
In conclusion, Vira Huskova emphasised: “I would advise young researchers not to be afraid of their ambitions or of complex topics. In truth, science is complex and full of challenges, but it is well worth the effort.”
