The Philippines has officially launched a nationwide search to select its very first National Artificial Intelligence Team. This elite group of students will carry the country's colors to the global stage at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in 2026.
Ateneo BUILD Leads National Selection
Ateneo de Manila University's Business Insights Laboratory for Development (Ateneo BUILD) has been appointed as the sole accredited Country Coordinator for this prestigious international event. Operating under the John Gokongwei School of Management, the lab is renowned as an incubator for student startups and possesses deep expertise in data and AI software development.
Its critical mission is to organize a comprehensive nationwide selection process and to mentor the final four-member delegation. This team will represent the Philippines at the IOAI Global Finals, scheduled to be held at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from August 2 to 8, 2026.
An Inclusive, Nationwide Hunt for Talent
While Ateneo BUILD is the implementing body, the organizers stress that IOAI Philippines is a national initiative open to all eligible students across the country. The competition welcomes high school scholars from Grades 7 to 12, regardless of whether they attend public, private, or specialized science high schools.
The goal is to run a barrier-free, inclusive, and strictly merit-based selection to ensure the final team genuinely represents the best young AI minds in the Philippines. The registration deadline for the National Eliminations is January 25, 2026, via the official website www.ioaiph.org.
From Logic Puzzles to Machine Learning
The journey to the national team is designed to be accessible at the start. The initial National Eliminations stage will focus on logic and scientific inquiry, welcoming students with strong problem-solving skills even if they have limited coding experience.
As candidates advance to the Semi-Finals and National Finals, the challenges will become more technical. The rigorous syllabus will cover advanced areas including:
- Machine Learning
- AI Ethics
- Computer Vision
To prepare finalists, Ateneo BUILD will provide intensive mentorship through a Selection Bootcamp and a dedicated training program running from April to June 2026.
A National Mission for Global Recognition
This initiative is framed as a "whole-of-nation" effort to showcase the capability of Filipino youth in the cutting-edge field of artificial intelligence. The mission supports key government strategies, including the Department of Education's MATATAG Agenda and the national STEM and AI plans of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Digital equity is a core principle, with online platforms ensuring students from all 17 regions of the Philippines have a fair chance to qualify. The organizing committee is also seeking partnerships with organizations to sponsor travel and registration costs, ensuring no talented student is held back by financial constraints.
The search is now open. Are you or do you know a student ready to lead the Philippines into the AI-driven future? Visit www.ioaiph.org to register and learn more about this historic opportunity.
