Meet Nika: The AI Training Buddy Built by Medical Students

A team of students from Sechenov University has developed an AI assistant named Nika, designed to keep amateur athletes—especially runners—motivated during their workouts. Unlike fitness apps that focus on tracking or planning, Nika acts as a conversational companion, offering encouragement and support to help users push through tough moments and stay consistent.

The project was created by third-year student Ali Bnayat, second-year student Dmitry Serebryakov, and fifth-year student Anastasia Karpenko, who combined their expertise in materials science, pediatrics, and clinical medicine. The system uses a large language model to learn about each user’s habits and motivations, then engages in real-time chat to provide moral support before and during exercise. A built-in analytics section and training journal help users organize their routines and track progress.

Already adopted by more than 250 athletes, Nika is set for further development. The team plans to expand the app to other platforms, making it accessible to a wider audience of weekend warriors and fitness enthusiasts.