Republic of Kazakhstan

The 3rd edition of IOAI

The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), the newest International Science Olympiad in the world, has announced that its 3rd edition will be held in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, in 2026 from 2nd until 8th of August.

The main host for IOAI 2026 will be the Competitive Programming Federation of Kazakhstan (CPFED). Established as a republican public association, the Federation is dedicated to the development and popularization of competitive programming across the country. It works closely with educational institutions, industry experts, and the wider IT community to build a strong ecosystem for programming excellence. Through initiatives such as training programs, national and international competitions, and educational projects, CPFED supports the growth of young talent and fosters skills essential for success in the rapidly evolving world of technology.

 

Location

The 3rd edition of the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence is set to take place in Astana:

  • The capital of Kazakhstan and one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Asia.
  • An emerging technology and innovation hub, driving digital transformation across the region.
  • A modern city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, known for its futuristic architecture and global ambition.
  • With direct connections across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Astana offers strong accessibility and world-class infrastructure.
Days
Hours
Minutes

Schedule

StartEndDescriptionLocation
00:0023:59Teams ArrivalAirport
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS
20:0021:00GA1: Welcome, instructions, votingKNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
07:0009:00BreakfastKNUS
07:3009:30Practice Round – obligatoryKNUS
09:3011:00Transfer to Congress CenterKNUS
11:0012:30Opening Ceremony + Family PhotoKNUS, Congress Center
12:3013:00Transfer to KNUSKNUS, Congress Center
13:0014:00LunchKNUS
13:3014:00Arriving the Contest HallKNUS, Contest Hall
14:0019:00Team Challenge Round 1 (Simulation)KNUS, Contest Hall
14:0015:00GAITE Meeting / Alumni MeetingKNUS
15:0016:00Community Meeting: IOAI, Round 1, EduSpaceKNUS
16:0018:00Breakout Sessions: Africa, AP, Americas, EuropeKNUS
19:0020:00Appeals Submission for Team Challenge Round 1Google Form
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS
20:0022:00Chill ZoneKNUS

 

* KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
06:0009:00Translations (breakfast served in the translation session)KNUS
06:3008:30Breakfast (for all people who do not attend the translation session)KNUS
08:0008:30Arriving the Contest HallKNUS, Contest Hall
09:0015:00Individua/GAITE Contest 1KNUS, Contest Hall
09:0015:00GA 2: Report of the board; discussions;
Board Elections – Elections committee summary, nominees presentations and Q&A		KNUS
13:0014:00Lunch (Non-Contestants.)KNUS
15:00 Appeals Submission Opens for Contest 1Google Form
15:0015:30Debrief Team Challenge Round 1KNUS
15:0017:00Fun Sponsors ActivitiesKNUS
16:0017:00Appeals Face-to-Face seession Team ChallengeKNUS
17:0019:00Announcing top 10 Team challenge;
Soccer tournament eliminations		KNUS
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS
20:0021:00Debrief Contest 1KNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
07:0008:30BreakfastKNUS
08:3010:30Transfer to Alem.aiKNUS
09:0011:45Excursion to alem.aiAlem.ai
12:0013:00Transfer to KNUSAlem.ai
13:0014:00LunchKNUS
14:0015:30AI Ethics presented by UNESCOKNUS
15:3019:00Sponsors Activities, Ethno Activitities, Sport ActivitiesKNUS
19:00 Appeal Submission Closes for Contest 1Google Form
19:0022:00Appeals Face-to-Face Session for Contest 1KNUS
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS
20:3021:00Soccer finalsKNUS
21:0021:15Announce activities winners, incl IMC chess winners, Soccer winnersKNUS
21:1522:00GA 3: Board electionsKNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
06:0009:00Translations (breakfast served in the translation session)KNUS
06:3008:30Breakfast (for all people who do not attend the translation session)KNUS
8:0008:30Arriving the Contest HallContest Hallm KNUS
09:0015:00Individua/GAITE Contest 2Contest Hallm KNUS
09:0010:50Excursion to alem.aiKNUS
11:0013:30GA 4, Community meeting Kazakhstan AI strategy / AI ethics moderated by UNESCOAlem.ai
13:3014:00Lunch at Alem.aiAlem.ai
14:0015:00transfer to KNUSAlem.ai
15:00 Appeals Submission Opens for Contest 2Google Form
15:0016:00Transfer to ComicConKNUS
16:0018:00ComicCon 2026Astana Arena
18:0019:00Transfer to KNUSAstana Arena
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS
20:0021:00Debrief Contest 2KNUS
21:00 Cultural exchange (TLs & Observers)Campus hotel
21:00 Appeal Submission Closes for Contest 2Google Form
21:0000:00Appeals Face-to-Face Meeting for Contest 2KNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
07:0009:00BreakfastKNUS
08:0009:00Transfer of top 10 teams of Team Challenge to Alem.aiKNUS
09:0010:00Transfer of all delegations to Alem.aiKNUS
09:0012:00Team Challenge Final RoundAlem.ai
12:0012:30Appeals for Team Challenge Final RoundAlem.ai
12:0013:00Transfer of all delegations to KNUSAlem.ai
12:3013:00Team challenge top 10 teams transfer to KNUSAlem.ai
13:0014:30LunchKNUS
16:0018:00Closing and Awards CeremonyKNUS
18:0020:00Party and dinnerKNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocation
00:0023:59Transfer to AirportKNUS
07:0009:00BreakfastKNUS
13:0014:00LunchKNUS
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS

 

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports