Overview

The International Data Science Olympiad (IDSOL) is an annual global competition challenging students and recent graduates to practically apply data science and artificial intelligence from first principles to real-world challenges, themed around the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Why Join IDSOL

Develop Future-Ready Skills

Gain understanding for what "data science & AI" can and cannot do

Connect With A Global Network

Build relationships with peers, mentors, and leaders

Relevant, Practical Problem Solving

Design & develop impactful things rooted in reality

Gain Worldwide Recognition

Showcase your abilities and shine on the world stage

All about IDSOL 2025 

Dive into competition details and get ready for an experience of a lifetime

Focus on two different aspects of data science & AI solution development:

  • Solution Architecture (ARC) 
    • Developing comprehensive solutions to real-world challenges using data science and artificial intelligence
    • Emphasizing creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of user needs
    • Producing well-designed and impactful projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of data science & AI and its potential applications
  • Solution Engineering (ENG)
    • Designing and implementing of data science & AI applications, products, and systems
    • Demonstrating technical expertise, precision in engineering processes, and proficiency in relevant programming languages and development tools
    • Creating robust and efficient projects that showcase a strong command of data science & AI engineering principles

IDSOL welcomes contestants from diverse educational backgrounds, including:

  • Secondary Students
    • Any age, enrolled in a secondary-level academic institution (UNESCO ISCED Level 2-3)
  • Tertiary Students
    • Any age, enrolled in a tertiary-level academic institution (UNESCO ISCED Level 4-6)
  • Open Contestant
    • Any age, neither a secondary schooler nor a tertiary student

Contestant Teams have:

  • Minimum 1 and maximum 6 eligible individuals
  • May not be more than 50% identical to another team

An IDSOL 2025 contestant may represent a country of their choice by: 

  • Birthright
  • Citizenship
  • Permanent Residency
  • Academic Affiliation
  • Academic Nomination

The first submission is recommended for projects to receive possible feedback from the qualification committees. The second submission is required. The third and fourth submissions are for invited finalists only.

Technical CompetencyDeliverables
Solution Architecture (ARC)
  1. Reading Deck
  2. Whitepaper
  3. Poster Board
  4. Pitch Deck
Solution Engineering (ENG)
  1. Specifications
  2. Prototype Code
  3. Poster Board
  4. Deployed Prototype

Contestants may initiate their journey through these nomination pathways: 

  • Self Nomination
    • Individuals from countries or territories without a Local Data Science Olympiad Committee may register independently by submitting their project materials directly to the International Data Science Olympiad Committee.
  • School Nomination
    • To be nominated by your academic institution, contestants must obtain official endorsement from their academic institution via a nomination letter on the institution's letterhead.
  • National Nomination
    • The nomination process depends on the presence of a Local Data Science Olympiad Committee in the participant's country. Teams must comply with Local IDSOL Committee rules and regulations.

Competition Timeline

Want to know what to expect on your IDSOL 2025 journey? Here’s a clear visual guide to the key stages, from registration to the international finals.

3 February - 19 June 2025

Pre-Registration

Sign up to indicate your team's intent to join IDSOL 2025, hosted at KBI Eastern Conference 2025 in Hong Kong

Pre-Register Now!

5 May - 19 June 2025

Registration

Eligible teams will receive detailed instructions on registering for the competition via email.

5 May - 19 July 2025

Qualifier Round

Contestants are to submit their project deliverables to be evaluated whether they are qualified to proceed to the Preliminary Round.

19 August - 3 October 2025

Preliminary Round

Qualified teams from the previous rounds are to submit  required project deliverables to be evaluated by the Adjudicator Panel to determine whether they are qualified to proceed to IDSOL 2025 Finals.

19 August - 3 October 2025

Finalist Invitation

Qualified teams will receive a formal invitation to participate in the IDSOL Finals. 

24 October - 28 October 2025

Pre-Competition Tour

Innovation & Technology Tours are to be arranged for contestants to enjoy before the Finals. Further details on the tour will be shared on a later date. 

29 October - 31 October 2025

Olympiad Exhibition

Projects are setup and exhibited to the Adjudicator Panels and to guests to be thoroughly evaluated. 

1 November 2025

Final Pitchery

Top 7 teams from the Solution Architecture (ARC) are to pitch their innovative projects to the adjudicator panels. 

1 November 2025

Recognition & Celebration

Winning projects are recognised and awarded based on their performance. 

Competition Theme

Contestants are encouraged to develop innovative projects that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), addressing real-world challenges.

Accolades

At IDSOL, we celebrate outstanding achievements in data science & AI innovation through a variety of awards and recognition. These accolades not only honour the winners but also inspire participants to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of data science & AI.

Award Types

IDSOL celebrates excellence by awarding top-performing teams with a range of honors. These awards recognize the creativity, skill, and dedication of participants, inspiring them to push the boundaries of what's possible in the data science & AI community.

At the IDSOL Finals, gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in both the Solutions Architecture (ARC) and Solutions Engineering (ENG) streams across secondary, tertiary, and open competitions, recognizing outstanding achievements in these fields.

  1. Gold Medal🥇
    • Project ranked 1st out of all teams in their category
  2. Silver Medal🥈
    • Project ranked 2nd out of all teams in their category
  3. Bronze Medal🥉
    • Project ranked 3rd out of all teams in their category

In addition to medals, several general awards are presented to recognize notable achievements.

  1. Award of Merit🎖️
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating notable excellence, quality, creativity, ingenuity, or impact in their work
  2. Award of Recognition📜
    • For all teams considered for the Exhibition
  3. Country Medal🏆
    • Awarded to the top three (3) IDSOL projects of a certain country/territory
  4. School Medal🏆
    • Awarded to the top three (3) IDSOL projects of a certain academic institution

Specialty awards highlight specific areas of excellence.

  1. Innovation Award💡
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating notable quality in innovation
  2. Privacy Award🔒
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating notable quality in privacy
  3. Sustainability Award🌿
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating notable quality in sustainability
  4. Upstart Award🚀
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating significant promise as a startup
  5. Upscale Award🏢
    • Awarded to any project demonstrating significant promise scaling as a SME

Prize Distribution

IDSOL offers a range of prizes to recognize and reward outstanding projects. The prize distribution includes and not limited to:

  • Monetary Prizes
    • Cash awards will be given to the top-performing teams in each category
  • Trophies
    • Winners will receive trophies symbolizing their achievement and excellence in data science & AI innovation
  • Certificates
    • All finalists will receive certificates of recognition, and winners will receive additional certificates of achievement

Certificates of Recognition

IDSOL provides certificates of recognition to finalists and winners, formally acknowledging their dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions to the field of data science & AI innovation. These certificates serve as valuable credentials, highlighting your success and enhancing your professional profile.

Got questions about IDSOL?

Please browse our most frequently asked questions to help you get started

The competition covers various themes related to data science & artificial intelligence and its plethora of applications, including but not limited to:

  • Computer Vision, including image/pattern recognition, VR/AR, visualization
  • Machine Learning, including deep learning and neural networks
  • Natural Language Processing, including large-language models
  • Robotics, including autonomous vehicles, bionics, and industry 4.0
  • Infrastructure, including data preprocessing, MLOps
  • Esoteric topics, including AI security, AI safety, AI ethics, and explainable AI
  • Futurist topics, including quantum AI, nanobots, and space robotics

IDSOL welcomes projects that offer comprehensive solutions addressing real-world challenges, or comprehensive product design and implementation demonstrating an extensive and exquisite understanding of and the application of tech first principles

Yes, but only if you reach the Finals! Here's the breakdown:

  • Who Pays: Only teams who qualify for the Finals are required to pay a registration fee
  • Standard Fee: $150 USD per team
  • Late Fee: $250 USD per team (applies if you register before September 19th, 2025)
  • What's Included: The fee covers:
    • Food and beverages during the Finals event
    • Potential tour fee subsidies
    • Poster board printing for your project presentation
    • Exhibition setup costs
  • Payment Methods: We accept PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard. You'll receive payment instructions during the Finals registration process.
  • Refund Policy:
    • If you cancel at least one month before the competition date, you'll receive a 70% refund (a $50 cancellation fee applies)
    • No refunds are given for cancellations within 30 working days of the event

You will not be disqualified for using AI as long as it does not infringe copyright. Please properly attribute all sources to avoid issues with copyright.

No! IDSOL welcomes participants from all fields of study. We value diverse perspectives and believe that innovative solutions require a wide range of skills and knowledge. Whether you're a tech whiz, a business guru, or a creative thinker, IDSOL offers a platform to apply your unique talents to real-world challenges.

Testimonials

Since 2020, IDSOL has encouraged and assisted students to pursue academic and professional careers and internships across a plethora of industries, especially in enterprise software architect and developer roles

IDSOL fostered self-directed learning, encouraging me to seek solutions beyond traditional academia, pushing me out of my comfort zone.

Bryan Chiu

Canadian International School

IDSOL helped me develop strong system design thinking skills, enabling me to approach complex problems with innovative solutions.

Dominic Tam

The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

An incredibly motivating journey! I walked away not only with valuable professional connections but also friendships.

Rebeca Borrego Cavazos

Universidad de Monterrey

KBI is very dedicated to advancing students’ knowledge and application skills in blockchain and data science.

Prof. Isabel Yan

City University of Hong Kong

Initially, I didn't consider a career in innovation and tech. The Olympiads convinced me to pursue I&T and eventually launch a startup.

Nikkia Lo

Diocesan Girls' School

KBI helped me understand the power of tech, not just as a school subject but also a medium to empower every aspect of our daily lives. 

Lester Chong

United World College (UWC)

READY TO PLAY?

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