The Olympiad which runs until 12 September is held in collaboration with the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) and the International AI Research Centre in Slovenia and is supported by UNESCO.

The opening ceremony featured cultural performances and speeches emphasizing the importance of the event.

Among notable attendees were officials from SDAIA and ICAIRE and the Chair of the IAIO Scientific Committee at UNESCO Professor John Taylor, who highlighted the need for global dialogue in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

The IAIO aims to foster international cooperation among technology experts, software engineers, and AI educators while engaging youth with modern technologies.

The Olympiad encourages participants to explore diverse AI applications and inspire talented young individuals to contribute to the field.

It encourages high school students to devise intelligent solutions through algorithm design, data structuring, and programming.

This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, promoting the kingdom as a leader in data and AI.

Workshops led by international AI experts, challenges, and talks from leading figures in the AI community will be key features of the Olympiad, with a strong emphasis on ethical AI practices.

The event has attracted more than 456 speakers, including experts, scientists, and specialists in artificial intelligence, who will engage in over 150 sessions.

Over 32,000 participants have registered for the event, which is expected to unveil more than 25 local and global initiatives and see the signing of over 70 agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Key topics on the agenda include enhancing international cooperation in data and AI, innovation in AI, ethical considerations, and the integration of AI in smart cities.

Earlier this year, the 1st International AI Olympiad (IOAI) was held in Burgas, Bulgaria on 9-15 August. It featured nearly 200 students from six continents, organised into over 40 teams, according to the co-founder and Chair of IOAI, Elena Marinova.

The participants gathered in Burgas collectively inaugurated the newest scientific International Olympiad, setting a record with the highest number of registered teams for a first edition.

The host of the 2025 International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IOAI) will be Beijing, China.