site.btaWorld's 1st International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence Begins in Burgas

Bulgarian Education and Science Minister Galin Tsokov and Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov formally launched the world's 1st International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) here on Saturday.

Founded by Bulgarians, the weeklong event is one of the largest newly established Olympiads in the AI and STEM field.

Opening the Olympiad, Tsokov said that Bulgaria is pioneering an international competition that will be key to mankind's development in the coming decades. He congratulated the organizers, the jury, and the hosts of Burgas Municipality.

"Today we are setting the beginning of annual meetings of some of the brightest minds in the sphere from around the world. I hope that this knowledge sharing will contribute to the advancement of the world," the Education Minister said further. He wished all participants medals, a lot of good experience and new friends.
 
Nearly 200 pupils in 44 teams from more than 40 countries will compete in the Olympiad between August 9 and 15. As a host country, Bulgaria will be represented by two teams.

International scientists from leading universities are involved in the arrangements and the formulation of the fundamental and applied problems. The key role belongs to the Bulgarian Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), which is part of Sofia University. IOAI's partners and sponsors are institutions, NGOs and companies from around the world, and Google is a general sponsor.

The purpose of the competition is to challenge participants to think critically, to build up theoretical and practical knowledge, and to give them prospects for the limitless opportunities in this sphere and raise their awareness of the current issues related to artificial intelligence.

Also attending the opening ceremony were National Assembly Education and Science Committee Chair Silvi Kirilov, MPs, Burgas Regional Governor Maria Neykova, and singer Maria Ilieva.