Pakistan has made its debut at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), winning a Bronze Medal and an Honorable Mention at the 3rd IOAI 2026 held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from August 2 to 8.
The achievement marks Pakistan’s first-ever participation in the international competition and highlights the growing capabilities of the country’s young talent in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Huzaifa Rehman of Fauji Foundation College, Attock, Rawalpindi, secured the Bronze Medal, while Ayan Zeeshan of Aitchison College, Lahore, received an Honorable Mention for his performance at the competition.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Dr Asifullah Khan and participated in the IOAI under the STEM Careers Programme, a joint initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).
As part of its preparation, the team underwent a three-week intensive training camp focused on artificial intelligence and related disciplines before travelling to Kazakhstan for the competition.
The participation was undertaken as a special initiative reflecting Pakistan’s growing emphasis on artificial intelligence, innovation and future technologies within its education and research agenda.
The international recognition of Pakistani students at the IOAI provides further evidence of the potential of the country’s youth to compete in rapidly advancing fields of science and technology at the global level.
The achievement has also been welcomed as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s efforts to promote STEM education and prepare students for emerging technology-driven careers.
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The success of Huzaifa Rehman and Ayan Zeeshan is being seen as a collective achievement involving their families, teachers, mentors, trainers and the institutions that supported their preparation for the international competition.
