In response to questions and suggestions from several team leaders, the IOAI International Scientific Committee (ISC) is pleased to share the second version of the Contest Rules. All changes compared to Version 1 are highlighted for your convenience.
Below is a brief summary addressing the questions and suggestions received:
- New Additions: The updated version now includes the eligibility criteria (previously published on the IOAI website), a list of available Python libraries during the contest, and the rules regarding medals, awards, trophies, and certificates.
- LLM Access: ChatGPT 4o, integrated within Bohrium, will be made available during the contest. Contestants may use it to improve their code, find bugs, ask questions, and more. However, DeepSeek R1 and more advanced models have been excluded as they are deemed too powerful for the educational objectives of the IOAI. We may offer access to an additional language model with capabilities comparable to ChatGPT 4o as a backup option in Bohrium. Any changes to the available LLMs will be announced to the community as early as possible.
- LLM API Use: The use of external LLM APIs is strictly prohibited, unless explicitly permitted in the task statement.
- Library Restrictions: To maintain the contest’s educational focus, we have intentionally excluded technically advanced or high-level Python libraries—such as those used for hyperparameter tuning or AutoML frameworks—which are more suitable for Kaggle-style competitions. Similarly, we have avoided libraries that offer high-level abstraction for neural network development.
- Website Access Limitations: Compared to Version 1, access to GitHub and Stack Overflow has been removed to minimize the potential for systematic cheating or unauthorized code transfer from the at-home stage to the Individual or GAITE Contest. We also declined the suggestion to allow arXiv access, as code listings from arXiv papers may enable unfair advantages, and we believe there is insufficient time for meaningful paper reading during the contest.
- Further Suggestions: We welcome any additional questions or suggestions, including proposed changes to the rules or recommendations for libraries and websites that contestants may need. Please send them via email to isc@ioai-official.org. Any further updates to the Contest Rules will be communicated to the community as promptly as possible.