AI YES :International Youth AI Competition

Overview

The AI YES : International Youth AI Competition is an online, global event organized for young learners across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Spearheaded by the International AI Youth Education Society, AIYES aims to inspire, educate, and empower youth to explore artificial intelligence in an ethical, innovative, and inclusive manner. The competition is open to participants from all nationalities and backgrounds, with projects that apply AI to real world problems or creative expressions. The event is hosted via Devpost as a public platform and is conducted in online format, enabling participation from anywhere.

Tracks and Submissions

The competition features four tracks that encourage diverse AI applications and creative approaches:

• Track 1: AI Application Development – design and deploy practical AI powered apps. Required submissions include a slide presentation, a video walkthrough with a live demo, and a link to the source code or deployment.
• Track 2: AI Innovation Proposal – present original AI driven concepts to address real world challenges. Submissions consist of an AI innovation proposal document, a slide deck, and a video presentation up to five minutes.
• Track 3: AI Generative Image Storytelling – create a coherent image sequence narrating a story using AI tools. Submissions include an AI generated image series (up to 10 images), a slide deck, and a video walkthrough.
• Track 4: AI Generative Video Maker – produce original videos with AI assistance. Submissions consist of a core AI generated video (3-5 minutes), a slide deck, and a video walkthrough.

Entries are evaluated on problem relevance, technical depth, user experience, creativity, feasibility, and societal impact. Each track emphasizes responsible AI use and measurable outcomes.

Schedule and Deadlines

The competition runs twice a year with distinct sessions:

• Spring session with a deadline of March 1
• Fall session with a deadline of September 1 The page indicates a general event window from mid June through early September, with a primary deadline on September 1. Attendees can view or add the schedule to their calendar and access multiple calendar formats.

Who should participate

The event is open to elementary, middle, and high school students of all nationalities and languages. Teams can range from 2 to 5 members, and participation is welcome individually as well. The guidelines emphasize teamwork, creativity, and practical AI literacy while encouraging diverse perspectives and inclusive participation.

Prizes and Recognition

The competition offers several non-cash prizes across tracks, including certificates of Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mention, with a number of winners per track. A public leaderboard highlights participant contributions and achievements, and the event recognizes host organizations and sponsors that support youth AI education. In addition, the event provides opportunities to publish work on Devpost and gain visibility within the developer and education communities.

Support and Resources

Participants have access to resources and guides about AI ethics, project planning, and track-specific requirements. There are opportunities to view schedules, join discussions, and get help from organizers. For questions, participants can contact the hackathon management team through the listed email.

Format and Audience

The challenge is designed to be accessible online, with a focus on education and innovation. It encourages students to showcase their AI projects through apps, proposals, and creative media, while fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and responsible use of AI technologies.