Frequently Asked Questions

You don’t need to know a lot about AI to start. The Olympiad is designed for beginners. You’ll learn and discover as you go.

The first round focuses on basic ideas and everyday examples of AI, pattern recognition and logic— not coding or advanced maths. We also provide free learning guides, videos, and practice materials to help you prepare for future rounds. The training isn't mandatory, it's simply available to you.
 

We expect many students to start with zero programming knowledge and progress to round 3.  This would be an excellent start. Thereafter, use the resources and and develop your coding skills and return to the competition as a much stronger participant.

And here’s the exciting part:

Once you join and start becoming familiar with the basics, you’ll have the chance to build further skills through our training sessions. With consistent practice and learning, you can progress from the beginner level to more advanced levels — and eventually, you may become eligible for the International Prep Rounds.

The Olympiad isn’t just a competition —
it’s a learning pathway and an opportunity to grow.

You don’t need to be an expert to start. You just need to begin. You may surprise yourself!

Not anymore! AI is already part of everyday life — even if you don’t see it. It helps recommend music on Spotify, suggests videos on TikTok, filters spam in your email, powers Google Maps directions, and even helps doctors make better health decisions. 

Understanding AI isn’t about becoming a programmer; it’s about understanding how the world around you works.

Learning about AI helps you:

• Think smarter: You learn how to solve problems, analyse information, and make decisions logically.
   
• Be future-ready: Almost every career — from business to medicine, sports, entertainment, and public service — is being shaped by AI. Knowing how it works gives you an advantage.
   
• Create, not just consume: Instead of being influenced by algorithms, you’ll be able to design solutions, apps, and ideas that solve real challenges in your school, community, or country.
   
• Participate in the future of South Africa: If young South Africans don’t understand AI, decisions will be made for us, not with us. Learning AI helps ensure our stories, cultures, and needs are represented in the technology shaping the future.
  
  Example: A musician can use AI to create new beats. A doctor might use it to detect diseases faster.providing the highest quality education to our students.

In short: AI is not just for “tech people.” It’s for everyone who wants to lead, create, understand the world, and make a difference. AI will shape every career — not just tech ones.

"AI literacy" means understanding how AI learns from data and how to use it wisely, responsibly and ethically. It’s about being curious and critical — not just impressed by technology.

Example: When an AI suggests your next YouTube video, you can ask, “What data did it use to decide that?”

In short: AI literacy = digital street smarts.

When you learn about AI early, your mindset changes. You stop seeing technology as something only “other people” make — and start seeing yourself as someone who can build, design, and create solutions. You look at challenges in your school or community and think: I could fix that. You gain confidence, curiosity, leadership, and the belief that your ideas matter.

In short: Early AI learning doesn’t just teach skills — it unlocks possibility. It builds ambition. It expands what you believe is possible.

And when young people believe they can shape the future —they do.

Africa has the youngest population in the world — and that’s a superpower! By learning AI, young Africans can create technology that solves local challenges in their own communities. 

Example: Students in South Africa have used AI to predict droughts and help farmers plan ahead.

In short: Don’t just download the future — design it.

AI will change jobs — but it won’t remove them all. It will take over routine, repetitive tasks, freeing people to focus on creativity, strategy, and empathy.

Jobs likely to be automated:

• Data entry clerks
• Cashiers and toll operators
• Basic customer support
• Routine administrative roles
• Manufacturing and warehouse work
   

New jobs created by AI:

• Data engineers
• AI trainers
• Prompt engineers
• Automation designers
• Ethical AI specialists
   

Example: As companies collect more information, data engineers are in high demand to organize and manage the data that powers AI systems.

 In short: AI might take away some old jobs, but it’s creating new ones that need human imagination and curiosity.

Yes! AI can be wrong or biased because it learns from human data — and humans aren’t perfect.
Example: A photo AI once thought a turtle was a gun because of poor training data!

In short: AI is only as smart as the data — and people — behind it. this is why we need more people and importantly, more diversity, in the  development of data and AI. 

Using AI wisely means understanding that AI is a tool — and how we use it matters. It’s about making choices that are fair, honest, safe, and respectful.

When you use AI responsibly and ethically, you:

• Think before you use it: You understand what AI is doing and why it’s giving certain answers, instead of just accepting everything as true.
   
• Check your facts: You don’t copy and paste blindly. You make sure the information is accurate and reliable.
   
• Respect people: You don’t use AI to harm others, spread rumours, cheat, or disrespect someone’s privacy.
   
• Stay creative and original: AI can help you think, plan, and brainstorm — but you still do the real thinking and decision-making.
   
• Consider the impact: You ask questions like “Is this helping or hurting?” and “Is this fair?” before you act.
   

Using AI wisely is not about being perfect. It’s about being aware, thoughtful, and responsible.

Because AI doesn’t choose the world we build — people do.

Learning to use AI with care means helping shape a future that is fair, inclusive, and good for everyone.

In keeping with international Olympiad practices, the SAAIO does not offer traditional prizes. Instead, the Olympiad is about discovering and nurturing the next generation of AI talent — young minds who will shape the future through innovation and problem-solving.
The focus is on showcasing excellence and recognising achievement through certificates, rankings and meaningful opportunities for growth. Participants gain exposure to training, mentorship, and learning pathways that help them strengthen their skills and deepen their understanding of AI.

Exceptional learners may also be considered for international participation and sponsored training opportunities, as part of our ongoing commitment to expanding access to AI education — subject to available funding and partnerships.