Artificial Intelligence: use AI to solve a real-world problem
AI is the part of computer science that builds systems able to do tasks that usually need human intelligence, such as seeing, listening, making decisions and translating languages. AI learns from data, spots patterns and makes predictions on its own.
1How AI works, in three steps
You don't need to be an expert. This is the core idea behind every AI project.
Learn from data
The system is given lots of examples.
Spot patterns
It finds what the examples have in common.
Make predictions
It uses those patterns to decide or predict something new.
2Who can take part
The essentials at a glance.
Junior Division
Ages 10–14
Senior Division
Ages 15–19
Individual or team
Work alone or in a team of up to 3
Coding is optional
Use no-code AI tools (drag-and-drop or visual builders) or a programming language
3Choose your track
Pick one of these two routes for your project.
💡 AI Proposal
Plan in detail how AI could solve a specific challenge in your community or the world.
- Research the problem
- Think through the ethics
- Design your idea on paper
⚙️ AI Implementation
Build a working AI solution, such as an app, a website or a device connected to hardware.
- Code it (Python, C++, Java, etc.)
- or build it with no-code tools
- Test how well it works
4How you'll be judged
Projects are scored out of 100. The longer the bar, the more the criterion is worth.
Research question & SDG link
A clear real-world problem, directly linked to a UN SDG.
Objective & scope
Clear, achievable goals that reflect current trends in AI.
Background research
Shows what already exists, so your project adds something new.
AI design & method
Explains which AI methods you chose (e.g. image recognition, language processing) and how they work.
Technical work / logic
Step-by-step development, with testing, accuracy checks or data validation.
Ethics & safety
Considers bias, data privacy and how to prevent harm.
Creativity & innovation
Original ideas and creative problem-solving.
Oral presentation
Explains the project clearly and answers judges' questions well.
Overall impression
Enthusiasm, effort and a solid understanding of AI.
5Use AI ethically and safely
Every participant must follow these five rules.
Original work
The project must be your own. Name and credit every AI tool, platform and dataset you use.
Declare generative AI
If you used tools like ChatGPT or DALL-E, say which parts were AI-generated and which were yours.
Protect privacy
Never use or collect personal information without clear permission. Show you understand data security.
Reduce bias
Explain how you checked for and reduced bias in your data or algorithm.
Stay safe
Nothing that encourages illegal acts, discrimination or harmful behaviour.
6What to prepare
Your checklist for presenting the project.
Research paper & abstract
A written summary of your research, what you learned and the AI tools you used.
Project journal
A log of your process: each version, and the problems you solved along the way.
Display board
Face-to-face only: a three-fold board, max 91 cm high × 122 cm wide.
Poster or video
Proposal track: a poster. Implementation track: a video of up to 4 minutes.
Q&A with judges
Be ready to explain your logic, ethics and findings in English.
7Project ideas to inspire you
One example for each division.
♻️ "Smart Sort" Recycler
Using a no-code image tool such as Google's Teachable Machine, a student trains an AI to tell paper, plastic and glass apart through a webcam, then proposes a "smart bin" that helps people sort waste correctly and keep it out of landfill.
🌦️ Predictive Drought Monitor
A team uses Python and past environmental data to build a machine learning model that predicts droughts in their region. They test its accuracy and discuss the ethics of using AI predictions to guide farming and water policy.
Think of it like training a new apprentice
Building an AI project means guiding a learner to make good decisions for the community.
Data
Give them the right materials to learn from.
Algorithms
Give them clear rules to follow.
Ethics
Supervise them so their decisions are fair and helpful.
Ready to build something with AI?
Register your project and start making a difference.
Register your project