Overview：

The ability of the next generation to use new technology will become a defining skill in a time when data drives human progress and AI improves every aspect of life and work.  In response to this need, the International Competition for Data Science and AI offers outstanding young people a global platform to refine their data science abilities through practical, data-driven challenges.

 

Hosted by The Center for Applied Economic, Social and Environmental Research (CAESER) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), U.S. NSF Center for Spatiotemporal Thinking, Computing, and Applications (STC) at George Mason University, and  KNlME AG, this premier challenge will empower high school and university students worldwide to solve global, data-driven challenges. This entails analyzing real datasets and enhancing AI by redesigning workflows to make models faster, more innovative, and more efficient.

 

The Competition Schedule

  • Registration closes: December 31, 2025
  • Written materials submission: January 20, 2026 (10 days before finals)
  • Presentation slides submission for Live Final: January 28, 2026
  • Live Final & Awards Ceremony: January 31, 2026, in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hybrid mode)

 

Briefing Session

  • To facilitate preparation, an online briefing session will be held to introduce participants and participating teams to the general expectations for the competition and the principles of final submission.
  • All registered participants are eligible.
  • This key session will take place on Zoom on January 5, 2026 (Monday); the specific time and Zoom link will be announced to participants via email at a later date.

 

Prizes

Global Prizes :

  • Champion: 1 team
  • 2nd Place: 2 teams
  • 3rd Place: 3 teams
  • Excellence Awards: 10 teams

 

Regional Prizes:

Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be presented separately in each competition region (The number of awards in each region will be scaled based on the number of participants)

 

Submission Requirements

  • Category 1: Solve real-world problems using KNIME workflow and AI models.
  • Category 2: Optimize the efficiency of KNIME AI models

(Note: . Participants must select either Category 1 or Category 2 for their submission；All the submitted materials must be presented in English.)

 

Eligibility

  • High School Division: Current high school students can participate as individuals or in teams of up to three persons.
  • University Division: Current undergraduate students can participate individually or in teams of up to two persons.

 

competition rules and guidelines

For details, please click HERE 

 

Registration 

The competition is free to register for.

Interested participants should register for the competition at HERE by 23:59, 31 December 2025 (Wednesday):

Important note: Please be advised that for team entries, each team member must complete the registration process individually.

 

enquiry

Organizing Committee, International Competition on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Address: Room 2338, Lift 3, Academic Building, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong

E-mail: caeser@ust.hk

Please include the relevant contact name in enquiries for quicker response

  • Competition affairs: Mr. Nicky TANG
  • Global outreach& communications: Ms. Gisele ZHOU
  • Judging And Partnerships: Ms. Caroline Susan KORTERUD

 

Judging Committee