In this episode of Meet exquAIro, we speak with Ilya Petoukhov, the driving force behind exquAIro’s educational programs. With a passion for data, education, and societal impact, Ilya brings a unique blend of expertise and dedication. We spoke with him about his role, his background, and his vision for AI education.
From Calculations to Impact
“I’m responsible for the educational programs at exquAIro,” Ilya begins. “That includes ensuring the quality of our teaching and overseeing operations. Essentially, everything needed to make sure the delivery runs smoothly.”
But his role goes beyond coordination. “I also design the curricula, tailored to our audiences. What do you offer, to whom, and why? These are deliberate choices we make.”
His passion for education goes way back. “I started out as a student assistant in Econometrics. From the beginning, I loved guiding others. Later, while working as a data science consultant at Rewire, I learned the importance of not just analysing data, but thinking critically about what you want to achieve. I also learned how to bring others along in that journey.”
This eventually led to founding his own company, a beta world. “In April 2021, I took the leap to start my own venture. Thanks to a strong relationship with my former manager, Marnix Bügel, co-founder of exquAIro, we decided to join forces and continue building exquAIro together.”
Educating with Societal Purpose
That driving force, using knowledge to serve societal relevance, runs through all of Ilya’s work. “I don’t just want to teach people data analysis or AI. I want to ensure they use it responsibly. That’s why my company focuses on three themes: medical applications, sustainability, and ethics. That’s where I want to make a contribution.”
This commitment is also reflected within exquAIro. “Participants don’t just learn about technology. We educate people so they can apply that knowledge in meaningful ways—for the benefit of society.”
The Foundations of exquAIro’s Education
exquAIro’s programs are built around four key pillars. The first is technical expertise. Participants learn which AI and statistical methods exist, how they work, and crucially, when to use them. “It’s not just about understanding the mechanics of a model,” Ilya explains, “but about knowing when to apply it, and when not to.”
The second pillar focuses on the data landscape: how to access and prepare the right data, but also how to ensure your model ends up running smoothly in a production system. In practice, this is often an underestimated but critical step. “Without good data technology, your models are useless,” says Ilya.
The third pillar is about impact skills: how to communicate an idea, quantify the impact of your research, and engage your colleagues in your approach. “Technical know-how isn’t enough,” he explains. “You also need to be able to get buy-in from sponsors.”
The fourth and final pillar is domain-specific application, particularly in healthcare. Participants work with real-world datasets, consider relevant regulations, and learn how to apply AI in ways that genuinely improve patient care. “Ultimately, it’s about real-world impact,” Ilya emphasizes. “We train people who can truly make a difference in patients’ lives.”
Personal Attention as a Strength
One thing Ilya particularly values about the bootcamps is their intimate setting. “Each participant brings something different. Some are technically strong, others have had impressive medical careers. Because we work with small groups, we can really tailor the experience, like through advanced assignments for those who want to go deeper.”
Scaling with Purpose
Looking ahead, Ilya has clear ambitions. “I want to further build out our educational team, so we’re less dependent on me and better positioned to scale. I’d love to support more university medical centers and educational partners, without compromising on quality.”
He also wants to keep evolving the content. “I hope participants keep challenging me. Asking questions I haven’t yet considered. That pushes me to keep discovering new methods and applications.”
Even beyond his immediate influence, Ilya is excited about the impact of the research being developed within exquAIro. “We’re still in an early phase, but we have already seen many participants obtaining AI-related grants with the research they started during the bootcamp.”
On AI Hype and Pitfalls
Finally, Ilya reflects on recent AI trends. “The generative AI boom is impossible to ignore. Tools like ChatGPT are making programming more accessible, which is great. But there’s a downside: people often don’t understand what’s going on under the hood.”
That’s why his mission remains unchanged: “We train people to understand what they’re doing. So they don’t just push a button, but assess critically. AI offers us possibilities like never before, but as Peter Parker said: with great power comes great responsibility.”
Interested?
Want to learn more about exquAIro’s programs, become one of our guest lecturers or exchange ideas with Ilya? Feel free to reach out: ilya@exquairo.com.