Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – September 12, 2024 – Zindi, Africa’s leading data science competition platform, played a pivotal role in hosting the practical round of the first-ever International AI Olympiad (IAIO) from September 9-11, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event brought together 90 students from 25 countries, showcasing the best minds in AI and computer science.

The IAIO was hosted by hosted by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) under the auspices of UNESCO in 2019. The competition aimed to foster global collaboration and innovation in AI by engaging young, promising AI practitioners in solving pressing global challenges.

Practical AI
The Olympiad comprised two rounds: a scientific round, which tested participants on theoretical concepts, and a practical round, where competitors solved a real-world problem. The practical round, powered by Zindi, challenged participants to predict wildfires in the MENA region using historical data, land use, and elevation datasets. This challenge provided a hands-on experience for participants to apply their skills in solving an urgent environmental issue.

Zindi’s Role
“We are incredibly proud to have provided the platform for such a prestigious and impactful event,” said Celina Lee, CEO of Zindi. “Our mission at Zindi has always been to democratize access to data science opportunities, and the International AI Olympiad is the perfect manifestation of that vision. Watching the next generation of AI leaders tackle a impactful real-world problem on our platform was inspiring.”

Looking Ahead
This groundbreaking competition marks a significant milestone in the global AI ecosystem. By combining academic rigor with practical application, the IAIO sets the stage for future collaborations and innovations that will drive AI solutions for global challenges.

For more information, visit www.zindi.africa.

About Zindi
Zindi is the largest data science competition platform in Africa, connecting data scientists and organizations to solve the world’s toughest challenges through machine learning and AI. With over 70,000 data scientists on the platform, Zindi enables companies and organizations to crowdsource solutions to their business problems while providing opportunities for learning and innovation in data science.