ABOUT IOAI
International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence
The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) is one of the international science olympiads held every summer. It was established in 2023 with the purpose of providing high school students around the world with the opportunity to explore the limitless possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and nurturing the next generation of AI pioneers. The first competition will be held in Bulgaria in August 2024.
The IOAI competition consists of two rounds: a scientific round and a practical round.
In the scientific round, the participating teams are given problems that mimic real-world scientific research and the process of identifying and addressing limitations in an existing approach. Good performance in this round depends on basic coding skills, familiarity with common deep learning Python libraries, and an understanding of the fundamentals of machine learning.
The practical round happens entirely on site at the IOAI and is intended to acquaint students with the workings of widely used AI software like ChatGPT, Dalle-2 and others. The problems require teams to inspect, analyze, and explain scientific questions pertaining to the behavior of working AI software.
Teams are given several problems to work on in a time window of 2 to 4 hours, with access to one computer connected to the internet per team and no other devices. They interact with the AI software through a GUI, the way a regular user would, therefore coding is not required in this round.
ABOUT IOAI Canada Committee
President
Dr. Serdar Kalaycioglu
P. Eng, PhD, MBA, LLB, LLM
Director of Space and Robotics at Dr. Robot Inc.
Dr. Serdar Sean Kalaycioglu is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in engineering, law, business, and space programs. He currently holds a Research Fellowship position in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University, and he is also the Director of Space and Robotics at Dr. Robot Inc. and President of Canadian Space Research (CSR) Inc.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University, alongside advanced degrees including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees from the University of London, Queen Mary Law School. Additionally, he holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Common Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario and serves as an editor for the Advances in Science, Technology, and Engineering Journal (ASTEJ). He is also an associate editor for the Frontier Robotics and AI Journal.
Vice-President
Christy Xie
Co-Founder of STEAM Program for Youths
Christy, a co-founder of the Not-for-Profit organization STEAM Program for Youths, leads a team of volunteers in delivering interactive workshops aimed at inspiring young minds in science and technology. In 2024, STEAM Program for Youth gained accreditation as the representative for the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), showcasing Christy's ongoing commitment to advancing STEM education and fostering global collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence.
Currently pursuing an Honours Specialization in Integrated Science with a focus on Computer Science, and a Minor in Chemistry, at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, Christy is also a recipient of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship.
Scientific Committee
Professor Rajni Patel
PhD, PEng, FRSC, FCAE, LFIEEE, FASME, FIET, FEIC
University of Western Ontario
Dr. Rajni Patel received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, England, in 1973 and currently holds the position of Distinguished University Professor and Tier-1 Canada Research Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with a cross appointment in the Department of Surgery in the Schulich School Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Dr. Patel also serves as Director of Engineering for Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics (CSTAR), a research program of the London Health Sciences Centre and the Lawson Health Research Institute.
Education Committee
Bob Tarle
Executive Director of Innovation & Technology at Toronto French School
Bob Tarle is Executive Director of Innovation & Technology at Toronto French School. He works with staff and students supporting technology adoption and development of a digital citizenship program focused on the social and ethical impacts of technological innovation including AI.
Mr. Tarle has led local and national IT leadership initiatives over the past 10+ years, organizing conferences and edtech industry surveys within the CAIS network. He came to TFS from TFO and TVO, where he launched and grew the public broadcaster’s multi-platform innovation incubator as Innovation Program Manager and Director of Innovation & Partnerships.
Mr. Tarle holds a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University, a post-graduate diploma in journalism-new media from Sheridan College, and certifications in AI and business innovation from MIT and the University of Toronto, respectively. He is currently completing a part-time Master of Law degree in privacy and cybersecurity at Osgoode Hall law school.
Ann Chow
Executive Director of Advancement in AI Education
Ann Chow graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 2004, Itek Solutions, a dental IT company was incorporated and was later expanded to the United States as Metallic IT in 2022. In an increasingly digital world, ITEK-Metallic Cyber Solutions focuses on cyber security solutions and its importance as it is essential for protecting individual privacy, businesses, and overall stability of modern society. As a past president for the St. Andrew’s College Parents Guild, Ann Chow continues to devote her time and energy in the education of the next generation.
Business Development
Catherine Li
Engineering Liaison
Catherine Li is a distinguished graduate of the Engineering Science program at the University of Toronto. During her graduate studies in Electrical Engineering, she developed a keen interest in land development, leading her to co-found QH Design Build, a Tarion Registered Corporation renowned for its extensive experience in construction and development projects. Catherine has held key positions in various influential companies and is a staunch advocate for continuing education and lifelong learning, holding numerous certifications.
As an avid supporter of racial and gender equality in engineering, Catherine has made significant contributions to promoting inclusivity and diversity. She has dedicated extensive time to battling racial discrimination and protecting the rights of construction workers of colour.
In early 2023, Catherine founded SiteGenie AI Engineering and Simulator Gravity, focusing on creating AI applications for SME industries. Her extensive experience and commitment to education and equality make her a valuable member of the committee for IOAI Canada. Her leadership and vision are instrumental in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in the field of AI.