UBB hosts first edition of Central European Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence

Over 200 high school students from 32 countries are participating this week in the first edition of the Central European Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (CEOAI), a competition hosted by the Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca. According to the university, the event brings together students, researchers, representatives of authorities and the technology industry, confirming the growing interest in developing education in the field of artificial intelligence.

• Competition dedicated to future AI specialists

The opening ceremony took place in the Auditorium Maximum of UBB, in the presence of participants, representatives of academia and public authorities, as well as guests from the international artificial intelligence community and global technology companies. Among the guests were Professor John Shawe-Taylor, holder of the UNESCO Chair in Artificial Intelligence at University College London and president of the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IAIO), along with representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Education and Research, local and county authorities, as well as members of the international competition committee.

• Daniel David: UBB has an important role in the development of artificial intelligence

According to UBB, the university's rector, prof. univ. dr. psych. Daniel David, emphasized that the institution actively contributes to the development of artificial intelligence through educational activities, research and collaboration with the economic environment. "Babeş-Bolyai University is today an important actor in the development of artificial intelligence, both through education and research, and through permanent dialogue with the economic environment and international partners,” said the rector, recalling that UBB proposed the first undergraduate program in artificial intelligence in Romania and contributed to defining national standards for university programs dedicated to this field.

• Tests inspired by real applications

The competitors support theoretical and practical tests based on real problems, developing and evaluating artificial intelligence models on the competition platform, following the structure of international olympiads in the field. The program also includes workshops, mentoring sessions, presentations by prestigious researchers and meetings with representatives of international technology companies, offering participants the opportunity to interact directly with specialists from academia and industry.

• Romania, solid results in international competitions

According to UBB, the organization of the first edition of CEOAI consolidates Cluj's position as a regional center of innovation and technology and continues the tradition of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science in research and education in the field of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is one of the newest Olympic disciplines at the international level, with the first world competitions dedicated exclusively to this field being organized in 2024. To date, Romanian students have won 27 medals in the two editions of the International Olympiads of Artificial Intelligence - two gold, ten silver and 15 bronze -, results that place Romania among the countries with consistent performances in this competition that is at the beginning of its journey.