Ateneo BUILD to Lead Philippines' Selection for the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence
Ateneo BUILD accredited as the Philippines' sole IOAI coordinator through 2026, overseeing inclusive national team selection. Open access; no-profit fees.
Ateneo BUILD Accredited as Philippine Coordinator for IOAI
Quezon City, 27 September 2025 - The Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD), under the John Gokongwei School of Management, has been accredited as the Country/Territory Coordinator for the Philippines in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI). The accreditation is valid until 2026 and designates BUILD as the sole organization responsible for the nationwide, inclusive selection of Philippine teams.
About the IOAI
The IOAI is a global competition for high school students focused on artificial intelligence problem-solving. It builds practical skills in algorithms, data, creativity, and collaboration through real challenges with peers across countries.
Learn more at the official site: International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI).
Access, Fees, and Fair Play
As the Philippine coordinator, BUILD will ensure the selection process is open to all eligible high school students-regardless of school, region, or background. Competitions must guarantee equal access across the country.
Fees policy: Nominal fees may be collected to cover necessary expenses (e.g., travel or accommodations). Charging fees for profit is prohibited under IOAI rules.
Why this matters for IT, Development, and Management
This creates a clear path for early AI talent development and industry-academia collaboration. It's a practical way to align school programs, local tech communities, and sponsors around measurable outcomes.
- Schools: Set up mentoring, practice sessions, and code review cycles to prepare eligible students.
- IT teams: Provide safe compute access, open-source tooling guidance, and version control workflows.
- Management: Allocate budgets for equitable participation (travel, connectivity), honoring the no-profit fee rule.
- Operations: Establish accessibility and inclusion protocols so students from all regions can participate.
- Compliance: Implement data privacy and consent processes suitable for minors.
- Industry partners: Offer sponsorships, technical talks, and mock challenges that respect competition policies.
What to expect next
BUILD will release participation details and timelines through its official channels. Filipino high school students, educators, and schools nationwide will be invited to the upcoming stages.
- Identify eligible students early and form cohorts for peer learning.
- Line up mentors in Python, algorithms, and AI fundamentals.
- Plan logistics and budget for travel and accommodations where needed.
- Monitor official announcements to align with selection requirements.
For educators building AI prep tracks or after-school programs, you may explore curated learning paths by skill here: AI courses by skill.
About BUILD
The Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD) supports applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship under the John Gokongwei School of Management. It incubates student-led startups with the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) and provides expertise in data and AI-related software development for both emerging ventures and established businesses.
