Filipino students interested in artificial intelligence can join a free national competition for the chance to train and represent the Philippines at international AI olympiads in 2027. No programming experience nor a personal computer is needed for the first round, which students can take online using just a mobile phone.
Registration for the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence Philippines (IOAI PH) national selection is open until November 11, 2026, at https://ioaiph.org/. The program is hosted by the Ateneo de Manila University Business Insights Laboratory for Development (Ateneo BUILD) of the John Gokongwei School of Management.
The competition gives students a starting point for exploring AI beyond everyday apps and tools, with opportunities to develop technical skills and work toward competing with their peers abroad. Students from more than 80 public, private, science, and international schools have already registered.
This year’s search expands eligibility from Grades 7–12 to all Kindergarten–Grade 12 students born on or after July 1, 2007. Filipino citizens enrolled in schools in the Philippines or abroad may participate. Long-term foreign residents may also qualify, subject to residency and schooling requirements.
The first round will run from November 16 to 22, 2026. Students can take the assessment at any time during that period without needing a computer. It combines IOAI EduSpace Round 1 with a national multiple-choice assessment, while coding tasks begin in later stages. Overseas Filipino students can participate online through the semifinals.
The search follows the Philippines’ first appearance at IOAI in 2026, where all four delegates won medals. The team earned one silver and three bronze medals in Astana, Kazakhstan, competing among 466 students from 108 countries and territories.
Earlier that year, an eight-member Philippine delegation won one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI), tying for sixth among 18 countries and territories.
“Last season showed that Filipino students can stand with the best in the world in AI,” said Martin Gomez, Executive Director and Team Leader of IOAI PH.
The top 300 participants in the first round will advance to the qualifiers, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals. A two-day national final will be held at Ateneo BUILD on February 20–21, 2027.
The top four finalists will represent the Philippines at IOAI 2027 in Singapore on July 4–10, jointly hosted by Nanyang Technological University and AI Singapore. The top four non-graduating students will compete at APOAI 2027 in Russia on April 26–30.
Beyond competition experience, achievements in AI olympiads may help students pursue further studies. Universities including Nanyang Technological University and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence consider IOAI achievements in their undergraduate admissions processes, subject to their respective requirements.
Students and their families can find registration details, eligibility requirements, and competition schedules at https://ioaiph.org/
