Saudi Arabia, U.S., and Indonesia Achieve Top Rankings in WAICY 2025 Youth AI Competition
The World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY) has released its rankings for 2025, recognizing Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Indonesia as the leading nations in this premier global event. Following a record-breaking participation of over 132,000 students from 103 countries, this year’s competition stands out as the most diverse in WAICY’s history.
Saudi Arabia clinched the top spot by securing 26 awards, while the U.S. followed closely with 24 awards. Indonesia, with seven awards, showcased its strength particularly in the creative aspects of AI, excelling in both art and video production.
Roozbeh Aliabadi, a member of the WAICY 2025 Organizing Committee, emphasized the implications of these results, stating, “Saudi Arabia’s performance underscores its dedication to AI literacy and youth empowerment. The United States demonstrated robust capabilities across various student levels and innovation tracks, while Indonesia emerged as a creative powerhouse with its impressive artistic contributions.”
Noteworthy highlights this year included a significant improvement from African nations, which recorded their most successful participation in WAICY’s history. Students from Nigeria, Kenya, Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt collectively received several accolades, indicating an increasing focus on AI education within the continent. Moreover, participation from European and Asian countries, including Portugal, Greece, the UK, China, and India, further illustrates the worldwide momentum in AI education and innovation.
The judging panel consisted of esteemed experts from prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and Stanford University, guaranteeing high standards in evaluating all submissions.
Amalia Toutziaridi from MIT reflected on the level of talent displayed, stating, “The students’ creativity, ambition, and passion are truly inspiring. Each generation pushes the boundaries further, proving that the future of AI is bright.”
Founded in 2017, WAICY continues to expand globally, reaching young people in over 150 countries annually to foster equitable access to AI education and inspire future-ready innovators. For more information, visit www.waicy.org.
