Saudi AI team wins 6 awards at Asia-Pacific AI Olympiad

Saudi Arabia's national artificial intelligence team achieved significant success at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI) 2026, clinching a total of six international awards. The Olympiad, organized virtually by China, saw participation from 129 students representing 18 countries, marking Saudi Arabia's debut in this emerging global competition.

The Kingdom's delegation demonstrated exceptional talent, securing one gold medal, three silver medals, and two certificates of appreciation. Qusai Emad Jadallah, representing the Jeddah Education Department, earned the coveted gold medal. The silver medals were awarded to Laith Suwaid Al-Zahrani from Riyadh Education, Yousef Farid Al-Khalawi from Jeddah Education, and Ali Ayman Al-Khabbaz from Eastern Region Education.

Furthermore, Raed Hassan Tayeb from Eastern Region Education and Hamad Mohammed Al-Kalbani from Riyadh Education were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their contributions. The participation and success of the Saudi students underscore the nation's growing strength in advanced technology fields.

This accomplishment reflects the ongoing investment in nurturing young national talent specializing in artificial intelligence and future technologies. The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and KAUST Academy, facilitated the Kingdom's involvement in the Olympiad, showcasing the effectiveness of these collaborative efforts in fostering innovation and excellence among Saudi youth.