40 Teams from 6 Continents Kick Off The First International 
Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence

Burgas, Bulgaria – August 10^th, 2024 – The inaugural International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) has officially begun, bringing together over 40 teams from 6 continents competing in a groundbreaking event marking a new chapter in global academic Olympiads.

Hosted in Bulgaria, IOAI unites young minds from around the world to tackle both scientific and applied AI challenges. The Olympiad’s mission is to inspire critical thinking, foster innovation, and explore the potential of AI, all while addressing the ethical implications of its development. The event is supported by global partners, including Google as the main sponsor.

Throughout the week, participants will engage in tasks designed by leading international scholars, pushing the boundaries of AI knowledge and application. The opening ceremony set the tone with a dynamic multimedia dance performance by Elektrick.me, highlighting the blend of creativity and technology that defines IOAI.

Under the patronage of the President of Bulgaria, the Olympiad has been praised as a platform for innovation and collaboration. “This event not only facilitates the exchange of ideas but also challenges participants to think critically and creatively, shaping the future of AI,” said the President in his opening statement.

Bulgaria’s Minister of Education and Science, Professor Galin Tsokov, emphasized the significance of the competition: “The IOAI is the beginning of an annual tradition that will bring together some of the brightest young minds in AI, driving global progress in a field that will be pivotal to humanity’s future.”

Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov expressed his pride in hosting the event: “Burgas has always been a city of visionaries. I believe the young participants of this Olympiad will soon begin to change the world.”

The IOAI’s founders, including Alexander Velinov and Elena Marinova, shared their excitement about the event’s potential to transform AI education globally. “We have laid the foundation for something truly significant, an event that can change the present and future of AI in educational systems worldwide,” said Velinov. 

“As long as we build on the right foundations and our hearts are in the right place, people and AI will collaborate for the good of humankind and our planet. Building bridges is far more important than creating boundaries—be it among people or between people and technology.” echoed Marinova.

Judges, including Yova Kemenchedzhieva, Associate Professor at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, are already impressed by the students’ capabilities. “I look forward to seeing the creative solutions these young innovators will bring to the Olympiad’s challenges,” said Kemenchedzhieva.

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