Saudi Arabia Achieves Top Position In Global Youth AI Competition With 22 Medals

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by securing the top position in the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY). This event saw participation from over 18,000 students across 129 countries. Saudi Arabia's impressive performance included winning 22 medals, surpassing nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. This achievement highlights the Kingdom's dedication to advancing data and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Saudi Arabia's success in WAICY is attributed to its commitment to nurturing a generation proficient in AI technologies. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has played a pivotal role by supporting this competition as a national initiative. SDAIA's efforts focus on enhancing the skills of Saudi youth in AI, encouraging them to develop projects that address real-world challenges.

A total of 1,298 students from Saudi Arabia participated in WAICY, presenting 662 innovative projects. These efforts earned the Kingdom the highest number of medals among all participating countries. The competition featured four tracks: AI Showcase, AI-Generated Art, AI Large Language Model, and AI-Generated Video. Students from primary to high school levels represented Saudi Arabia in these categories.

The medal tally saw Saudi Arabia leading with 22 awards, followed by the United States with 20 awards. India and Greece each secured five awards, while Canada received four. The Philippines won three awards, and the United Arab Emirates earned two. Oman, Australia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom each garnered one award.

This accomplishment reflects not only the advanced skill level of Saudi society in AI but also its high awareness of AI technologies. According to Stanford University's sixth edition of the AI Index Report 2023, Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in societal awareness of AI. This ranking is based on a survey indicating a high level of trust among Saudis in using AI products and services within the Kingdom.

The initiative led by SDAIA encourages students to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). By understanding the transformative impact of AI across various fields, students are motivated to create solutions for practical issues using AI technologies.

Saudi Arabia's remarkable performance at WAICY underscores its leadership in data and artificial intelligence on a global scale. The country's commitment to fostering young talent ensures it remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

With inputs from SPA