Students from Eight Russian Universities Explore the Influence of Technology on Contemporary Culture During an Intensive Course in Adyghe

The Summer Methodological University (SMU) has been launched at the Gornaya Legenda training and production facility. This annual scientific and educational intensive program is organized by Adyghe State University, attracting students from various institutions who come together to address pressing scientific and educational challenges. 

In 2026, the theme of the SMU is "Modern Culture and New Technologies: Current Challenges and Effective Solutions." This year, 28 students participated, representing not only Adyghe State University but also Donetsk State University, Southern Federal University, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Kuban State University, Kuban State Technological University, Kuban State Agrarian University, and Maikop State Technological University. 

The SMU is organized by the ASU Student Scientific Society (SSS), which coordinates these collaborative efforts to foster innovative research and dialogue among emerging scholars.

placed the interaction between modern culture and new technologies at the center of the 2026 SMU concept. The interaction between modern culture and new technologies is a complex and contradictory process that gives rise to a number of pressing issues. Technology isn't just changing cultural practices; it's also challenging the very foundations of identity, values, and knowledge transfer. The main challenges are the conflict between digital and traditional cultures, threats to cultural identity and diversity, the transformation of communication and socialization methods, and ethical and legal dilemmas, explained Irina Kireeva, head of the ASU Student Scientific Society. The development of digital culture is creating new challenges, including issues of privacy and data security. Furthermore, the active use of neural networks, algorithms, and digital tools in creative work raises questions about the place of the author and the value of authentic creativity. These and other issues will be addressed through lectures, project work, workshops, master classes, and discussions. Leading ASU researchers, as well as experts from Russian scientific and educational organizations, are participating in organizing the work of the LMU. Invited speakers include Fyodor Lukyanov, research professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, scientific director of the Valdai International Discussion Club, and host of the program "International Review" ; Nikolai Andreev , head of the laboratory for the popularization of mathematics at the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Elena Bryzgalina , head of the department of philosophy of education at Lomonosov Moscow State University; Ahmed Elghandur , head of the office of undergraduate educational programs at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management; and many others.

The program places a special emphasis on project work. Students are offered over ten topics, ranging from creating a virtual museum of lost cultural objects and an interactive map of the folklore heritage of the peoples of Russia to developing AI-powered apps for processing classical literature or generating quizzes. There are also unusual tasks, such as creating a glossary of modern internet terms for people over 50 or an app showing what a person would look like in the traditional costume of any ethnic culture.

The program also includes a literary workshop called "Creating Without GPT Chat," a photo exhibition, quizzes, a strategic thinking game, hikes, excursions, evening tea parties around a samovar, and a "Mr. and Miss Mountain Legend" competition. In the evenings, students reflect and update "Info-cache"—a digital twin of the LMU, which teams fill with their best quotes, photographs, mind maps, neural network images, and short videos.

The intensive course will conclude on August 22 with a panel discussion presenting the results of the project groups' work.