The first International Olympiad in AI for high school students will be held in Bulgaria from August 9-15, 2024. Organized by the LERAI Foundation, the competition will test students on machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Sponsors include Google and MBZUAI, with organizers hoping participants pursue further AI education and careers. Why it matters: This event aims to cultivate global AI talent and could increase interest in AI education and careers in the GCC region, particularly at MBZUAI.
The International Olympiad in AI (IOAI), a competition for high school students in NLP, CV, and robotics, will be hosted in Abu Dhabi by MBZUAI in 2026. MBZUAI faculty members Yova Kementchedjhieva and Maxim Panov are part of IOAI's International Scientific Committee and helped bring the event to the UAE. The IOAI 2025 in Beijing included individual contests, team challenges, and the GAITE program, testing participants with AI tasks and generalization challenges. Why it matters: Hosting IOAI in Abu Dhabi highlights the UAE's commitment to fostering AI talent and positions MBZUAI as a key player in global AI education.
Four Saudi students mentored by KAUST Professor Kuo-Wei Huang won one silver and three bronze medals at the 50th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2018) in Prague. Bader Almulhim won a silver medal, while Abdulrahman Aledrees, Ali Alasmari and Osama Alali won bronze. Almulhim and Alasmari were accepted to the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) and will study in the U.S. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in nurturing scientific talent and promoting STEM education in Saudi Arabia, though the direct AI relevance is limited.
KAUST has launched the KAUST Mathematics Competition (KMC), a national mathematics initiative for middle and high school students in Saudi Arabia. The competition aims to identify and nurture young mathematical talent, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Winners will receive prizes and the opportunity to attend a joint summer mathematics camp at KAUST and the University of Cambridge in 2026, with registration open until Nov 9, 2025. Why it matters: This competition can help develop a pipeline of Saudi talent in STEM fields crucial for advancing the Kingdom's AI ambitions.
MBZUAI's Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP) is a one-month summer program in Abu Dhabi for promising AI students. Launched in 2023, UGRIP aims to expose undergraduates to AI research and talent development. In 2025, around 60 interns will join the program to work on research projects and receive mentorship from faculty. Why it matters: The program strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a hub for AI research and attracts global talent.