Riyadh Hosts the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence
The National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence (ATHKA) wrapped up in Riyadh over the weekend. This event, spanning several months, was organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and the Ministry of Education.
A Promising Generation of Saudi School Students
The purpose of ATHKA was to cultivate a new generation of Saudi school students from intermediate and secondary levels, totaling around 3 million students across various regions of the Kingdom, in the fields of programming and artificial intelligence. The event also aimed to boost the global competitiveness of this generation in line with the Human Capacity Development Program of Saudi Vision 2030.
Distinguished Guests Attend the Event
The event was attended by notable figures such as Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan, Dr. Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Sabti, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, and Amal Al-Hazzaa. Various education and academia officials, AI specialists, and parents of the students were also present at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
The Role of AI in Human Development
During the event, Yaser Al-Onaizan, CEO of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence at SDAIA, discussed the importance of AI in developing human capabilities. He highlighted the rapid advancement of technology and the crucial role of the human element in AI.
Recognition for Top Students in Programming
The final round of the competition took place in Riyadh, where top students from secondary and intermediate levels were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. A total of 298 students competed in the final stage after qualifying from a pool of 260,000 Saudi students.
Fostering Skills in Computational Thinking
The Olympiad aimed to identify outstanding students with strong computational thinking skills and encourage their exploration of AI. It also sought to promote competitive programming and prepare students for success in international Olympiads in informatics and AI-related fields.