Empowering the next generation of AI security talent worldwide
ICOA — the International Cyber Olympiad in AI — is a global olympiad dedicated to cultivating young cybersecurity and AI security professionals through world-class competition and accessible education.
Our mission is simple: ensure that talent, not circumstance, determines who gets to shape the future of AI security.
Can you BUILD AI?
Pure hands-on — 2 days of coding ML models across classical ML, deep learning, CV, and NLP
Can you UNDERSTAND AI?
Theory + practice — written exam on logic, search, RL, and CSP, plus applied coding challenges
Can you SECURE AI?
Dual-track attack & defence — AI-assisted CTF + attacking AI systems, filling the security gap neither covers
IOAI goes deeper into modern AI. IAIO goes broader into classical AI. Neither covers AI security. ICOA fills that gap. ASRA is the only national organisation in the world deeply engaged across all three.
Governments and enterprises are investing billions into AI capabilities — but the security of these systems remains dangerously underserved. The next generation of AI security professionals needs to be identified and nurtured today.
Dual-track: AI4CTF (AI as your teammate) + CTF4AI (Challenge & evaluate AI systems — prompt injection, adversarial ML, deepfake, red-teaming)
The world's first CLI-native international CTF. Pure terminal — no GUI. One command to enter. Compete from anywhere.
Every session recorded via OBS for full transparency and fair adjudication — a pioneering standard in competition integrity
On-site track in Sydney + Global Online Track launching 5 hours later — a student in Guinea, Sudan, or Belize competes on equal terms
ASRA serves as Australia's national representative for three AI-related international olympiads — a distinction held by no other organisation in the country.
International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence
A 12-year-old Australian student achieved a Gold Medal in the Practical Round at the inaugural IOAI 2024 — the youngest gold medallist in a competition open to students up to age 20.
International Winter AI Olympiad
A 13-year-old Australian student earned an Honourable Mention at the 2nd IAIO in Ljubljana, Slovenia (February 2026) — the youngest awardee in a competition open to students up to age 20.
International Junior Cyber Olympiad
The same 13-year-old girl became the youngest Gold Medallist in IJCO history (Singapore 2025, Year 7) — competing against students up to 20 years of age.
All three olympiads accept students up to age 20. ASRA's youngest medallists were 12 and 13. One student, two international awards, competing 7 years below the age ceiling. With the right support, age is not a barrier — it is an advantage.
All foundational training content is and will remain free forever.
Access to cybersecurity and AI security education is not a privilege — it is a necessity for every nation's digital future. These resources are specifically designed for and distributed to developing regions across Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Nations participating in ICOA 2026 — the inaugural edition — are recognised as Founder Countries of the ICOA movement.
Full voting membership in the ICOA General Assembly
Priority access to future host country applications
Permanent recognition on all official ICOA materials and certificates
Fees locked for future editions, unaffected by adjustments
Priority access to ICOA training ecosystem, partnerships, and industry collaborations
This window closes after the 2026 edition. Founder Country status cannot be granted retrospectively.
ICOA 2026: 27 June – 2 July 2026 — Sydney, Australia + Global Online Track
Begin the accreditation process and secure Founder Country status for your nation.
Apply for Accreditation →Partner with ICOA to support the global expansion of AI security education.
Become a Partner →Your journey into AI security starts here. Access free training resources and prepare for the challenge.
Start Practising →“Excellence in AI Security. Together.”Contact Us →