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

Astana, 02-08 August 2026

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
00:0023:59Teams ArrivalAirportContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
09:0011:00BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
13:0014:00LunchKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
00:0023:59Teams ArrivalAirportContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
09:0011:00BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
13:0014:00LunchKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
06:3008:30BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
07:0009:00Practice Round – obligatoryKNUS, Main HallContestants
08:0009:00General Assembly IKNUS, meeting roomCountry representative
09:0010:30Transfer to Congress CenterKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
12:0013:30Opening CeremonyCongress CenterContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
13:3014:30Transfer to KNUS – wave 1Congress CenterContestants
14:0015:00Transfer to KNUS – wave 2Congress CenterTeam Leaders, Observers
14:0014:45LunchKNUSContestants
14:0015:30LunchKNUSTeam Leaders, Observers
14:3015:00Arriving the Contest HallKNUSContestants
15:0020:00Team Challenge IKNUS, Main HallContestants
15:3016:30Breakout sessions:
Alumni
GAITE		KNUSCountry Representatives
16:3017:30Community Meeting IKNUS, (Amphitheathre Blue)Team Leaders, Observers
17:3019:30Breakouts: RegionsKNUS:
Africa – Red Amphitheater
Asia-Pacific – Blue Amphitheater
Americas – Coffee Room
Europe – Host Room		Country Representatives
20:0021:00Appeals submission Team Challenge I startKNUSContestants, Team Leaders
20:0021:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
21:0022:00Chill ZoneKNUS, Chill ZoneContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
05:0008:00Translations (snacks served in the translation session)KNUSTeam Leaders
08:0009:30Quarantine for Team LeadersKNUS, Jury CafeTeam Leaders
06:3008:15BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants
06:3009:30BreakfastKNUS, Jury CafeTeam Leaders, Observers
08:1508:45Arriving the Contest HallKNUS, Main HallContestants
09:0015:00First RoundKNUS, Main HallContestants
09:3013:30General Assembly IIKNUSCountry Representatives
13:3014:30LunchKNUS, CafeTeam Leaders, Observers
15:00 Appeals submission First Round startKNUSContestants, Team Leaders
15:0017:00Debrief Team Challenge and f2f apeals seession Team ChallengeKNUSContestants, Team Leaders
15:0017:00Fun Sponsors ActivitiesKNUS, Chill ZoneContestants
17:0019:00Announce top 10 team challengeKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
20:0021:001st round debriefKNUSInternational Jury, TLs, Contestants

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
07:0008:30BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
08:3010:30Transfer to Alem.aiKNUSContestants
09:0011:45Excursion to alem.aiAlem.aiContestants
09:0011:00Community meeting IIKNUS: Blue AmphitheaterTeam Leaders, Observers
12:0013:00Transfer to KNUSAlem.aiContestants
13:0014:00LunchKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
14:0015:00FREE time (shuttles to Mega Silkway)KNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
14:0015:30AI lecture UNESCOKNUSContestants
15:3019:00Sponsors Activities
Mini Ethno Activitities
Sport Activities		KNUS, Football fieldContestants
16:0017:30UNESCO meetingKNUSIOAI International Board
19:0019:00End of appeals 1st round & f2f appeals sessionKNUSContestants, Team Leaders
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
20:3021:00Soccer finalsKNUS, Football fieldContestants
21:0021:15Announce activities winnersKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
05:0008:00Translations (snacks served in the translation session)KNUS, Jury RoomTeam Leaders
08:0009:30Quarantine for Team LeadersKNUS, Jury Room 
06:3008:15BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants
6:3009:30BreakfastKNUS, Jury RoomTeam Leaders, Observers
08:0008:30Arriving the Contest HallMain HallContestants
09:0015:00Second RoundMain HallContestants
09:3010:00Transfer to Alem.alKNUSTeam Leaders, Observers
10:0011:20Excursion to alem.aiAlem.aiTeam Leaders, Observers
11:0013:30Community meeting III
Kazakhstan AI strategy moderated by UNESCO		Alem.aiTeam Leaders, Observers
13:3014:30LunchAlem.aiTeam Leaders, Observers
14:3015:00Transfer to KNUSAlem.aiTeam Leaders, Observers
15:00–Appeals submission 2nd Round startKNUSContestants, Team Leaders
15:0016:00Transfer to ComicCon(Barys Arena)KNUS 
16:0018:00ComicCon 2026Barys ArenaContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
18:0019:00Transfer to KNUSBarys ArenaContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
20:0021:002nd round debriefKNUSInternational Jury, TLs, Contestants
21:0023:00End of 2nd Round appeals and f2f appeals session Round 2KNUSContestants, Team Leaders
21:0023:00Cultural exchangeHotel outside the CampusTeam Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
07:0009:00BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
08:0009:00Team challenge top 10 transfer to Alem.aiKNUSContestants
09:0010:00Transfer to Alem.aiKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
09:0012:00Team Challenge 2Alem.aiContestants
11:0012:30Appeals for Team Challenge 2Alem.aiContestants, Team Leaders
11:3013:00Transfer to KNUSAlem.aiContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
13:0014:30LunchKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
16:0018:00Closing and Awards CeremonyKNUS, Main HallContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
18:0020:00Party and dinnerKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports

StartEndDescriptionLocationAttendees
00:0023:59Transfer to AirportKNUSContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
07:0009:00BreakfastKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
13:0014:00LunchKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers
19:0020:00DinnerKNUS, CafeContestants, Team Leaders, Observers

 * KNUS – Kazakh National University of Sports