AI Olympiad
Brick by brick, toward a stronger foundation.
A national stage for AI, a six-month journey across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the partners who will shape it with us.
A six-month
journey, unfolding.
From partner onboarding through the Awards Gala, the AI Olympiad runs across six structured phases — with Partners embedded in every chapter.
Partner Engagement & Challenge Definition
Partner onboarding begins. Collaboration with institutions, companies, and universities to define the three competition categories.
Open Call & Participant Selection
Nationwide outreach and applications. Shortlisting of qualified applicants from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Kickoff Event & Team Formation
All shortlisted participants gather with Partners. Challenges, rules, and the platform are unveiled. Teams form across the four provinces.
Six-Week Development Phase
Bootcamps, mentorship, and hands-on development across co-working centers in four cities. Documentary production runs in parallel.
Final Submissions & Evaluation
Teams submit their AI solutions. The expert judging panel evaluates entries. Finalists are selected for the ceremony.
Awards Gala & Closing Ceremony
A high-profile Gala Dinner with live music, government officials, industry leaders, and live Rudaw coverage. Category winners are announced.
Five reasons
we're doing this.
The AI Olympiad is built on a clear mission: to accelerate AI adoption, empower regional talent, and create a lasting platform for innovation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Practical AI Implementation
Driving real adoption across healthcare, agriculture, climate, urban development, and public services.
Bridge Tech & Industry
Connecting technology experts with real community and industry challenges across the region.
Empower New Talent
Identifying and supporting the next generation of AI builders across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Bringing together government, industry, academia, and civic actors around shared AI challenges.
Regional Innovation Hub
Anchoring Iraq and Kurdistan as a credible centre for AI activity, research, and entrepreneurship.
Three categories.
Four cities.
Participants compete across three independent AI challenges, working from co-working centers in four provinces — each a physical stage for the Partners who make it possible.
Category One
A defined AI challenge co-shaped by a Visionary Partner. One winning team receives the category's top award, presented in that Partner's name.
Category Two
A second real-world domain challenge, co-defined with a Partner. An independent track with its own finalists, judging, and named award.
Category Three
A third competition track — independent category, independent finalists, independent winning team recognised in the Partner's name.
Four co-working centers.
An audience
that matters.
From AI practitioners to decision-makers, the AI Olympiad engages a wide and influential audience across every sector that shapes the region's future.
AI & Tech Professionals
Engineers, developers, and AI specialists from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Students & Researchers
University students and academics from leading institutions across the region.
Government & Institutions
Public sector entities and regulatory bodies driving national digital transformation.
Private Sector & Startups
Companies, startups, and entrepreneurs seeking AI talent and innovation partnerships.
Media & General Public
Regional and national TV and online audiences through Rudaw's broadcast network.
Diaspora & International
Iraqi and Kurdish professionals abroad following the competition online.
— BROADCAST & DOCUMENTARY PARTNERA feature
documentary.
Every chapter of the AI Olympiad — from applications through to the Gala — is professionally filmed and produced into a broadcast documentary aired on Rudaw. Partners are embedded throughout: their branding appears in co-working spaces, on participant merchandise, and in dedicated segments.
- Applications, selection, and kickoff — captured live
- Teams filmed in four co-working centers with branded merchandise
- Bootcamps, mentorship, and innovation journeys on record
- The Awards Gala — live coverage and documentary edit
- Long-tail visibility online long after the event ends
Three content
programs. One voice.
The AI Olympiad runs an active, creative social media presence throughout the entire competition — reaching participants, followers, and the wider public ecosystem.
Expert Voice Series
A running series of short, sharp 30-second video clips from industry experts, developers, and community voices across the region — distributed through the event's social channels.
Behind the Scenes
Organic, engaging content from bootcamps, co-working centers, team collaboration moments, and the competition journey — designed to be fun, authentic, and widely shareable.
Partner Spotlights
Dedicated branded slots created with or on behalf of Partners — spotlighting their contributions, team members, and investment in the region's AI ecosystem.
Ready to compete?
Applications close soon. Bring your team, your ideas, and your best models.