Every year, more Colombian teenagers are realizing that artificial intelligence is not just for big tech labs or science fiction movies. Through the Colombian Artificial Intelligence Olympiad, they will have their first friendly experience with algorithms, data, and problem solving.
Sponsored by the Universidad Antonio Narino and the Olimpiadas Colombianas team, the program quickly grew from an idea into a national classroom for young talent. In just one season, we helped students jump from their school desks to the International Olympiad for Artificial Intelligence (IOAI).
New AI playground for teens in Colombia
Olimpiada Colombiana de Intelligencia Artificial is designed for students in grades 8-11 who want to explore this rapidly growing field. They don’t have to be programmers. All you need is curiosity and a flair for puzzles and logic.
Early rounds focus on logic, computational thinking, and basic machine learning ideas, explained in simple, approachable language. As participants progress, they gradually encounter topics such as neural networks, computer vision, and Python programming, with constant guided support.
From the first online test to the training camp in Bogota
The 2025 edition of the Olympics followed a three-stage structure, with one qualifying test, one selection test, and a final round spanning late March, April, and May. These stages increase in difficulty, allowing students to increase their knowledge and confidence.
The first Colombian edition had 110 participants from large cities such as Bogota, Barranquilla, Medellin and Bucaramanga, as well as smaller towns such as Nobuza, Boyaca, Santander de Quirichao and Cauca. Those who performed well were given an invitation to Bogota for several days of intensive preparation and advanced examinations.
In this final phase, more than 40 talented students worked closely with their mentors to solve a problem modeled after an international AI competition. From that group, smaller teams continued the lengthy training process and ultimately decided who would travel overseas.
Colombian team takes to the stage at IOAI
National contests are not isolated events. It is directly connected to the International Olympics of Artificial Intelligence. In 2024, the Colombian team competed at the first IOAI in Burgas, Bulgaria, winning eight bronze medals in the scientific and practical rounds.
Based on that experience, the 2025 program selected four students (Juan David Onofre, Pablo Andres Gonzalez, Martin Aldana, and Juan José Gómez) to travel to Beijing for the second IOAI. There, they worked together with colleagues from many countries to tackle difficult challenges and received prestigious awards on behalf of Colombia.
These trips do more than just add a line to your resume. They show teens that their skills can be tested and evaluated on a global stage. For many of them, IOAI will be their first opportunity to see AI as a real career path, rather than just a school subject.
Teachers, ethics, and the future of AI education
Behind each medal is a network of teachers and researchers who create the materials, write the questions, and guide the students. For example, organizer and mathematics researcher Emerson Leong combines his Olympic work with talks on AI ethics and training for school teachers.
In 2024, a dedicated “Semirero” (academic research group) introduced core AI algorithms and problem-solving challenges to high school students in a completely virtual format. A parallel teacher course on AI in education will help schools integrate these tools responsibly, while respecting privacy, equity, and social impact.
All of this fits into a larger movement to strengthen STEM education in Colombia, which uses competitions and clubs to improve the digital skills of young people across the country. For students outside of major urban centers, the Olympics can be a valuable opportunity to access high-level training and join a national network.
Young minds, big vision for AI
The story of the Colombian Artificial Intelligence Olympics proves that serious learning and playful curiosity can happily coexist. In just one year, the program has taken high school students from their local classrooms to Beijing, giving AI a human and very Colombian face.
As new editions are published, more teenagers will realize that AI is not an unreachable black box. This is a toolkit that you can learn, ask questions, and use to solve real problems in your community.
