IAI²O AI4SCI is a research track for students ages 13-18, individually or in teams of 1-3. Independent of the organizer, CIT helps students author and explain their own questions, code, analysis, and English deliverables through 1:1 or small-group lessons in Apgujeong or online worldwide.
Review the international-school academic and EC route first, then the separate student-led science and gifted-school inquiry route. One competition entry or award is not a universal admissions requirement or an automatic portfolio.
Priority 1
International-school AI education & EC portfolio
Protect AP, IB, and IGCSE academics and school rules first, then extend into student-owned AI projects and extracurricular evidence.
Priority 2
Science & gifted-school AI portfolio
Separate each science-high-school or gifted-school rule from AI inquiry evidence the student can personally explain.
CIT lessons are available in Apgujeong and online across Korea and overseas, but cannot change or guarantee official eligibility, registration, advancement, awards, or admissions outcomes.
| Course code | I2 · AI4SCI Track |
|---|---|
| Official 2026 eligibility | Students ages 13-18, individually or in teams of 1-3, with an adult academic mentor age 18 or older. Cross-school and cross-region teams are allowed; submissions, on-site presentations, and discussions are in English. |
| CIT starting point | I0 and F1 are CIT diagnostic and learning options, not official prerequisites. We assess technical, English, and research readiness and select only the needed support. |
| CIT learning time | About 16 hours (adjusted after diagnosis, commonly 10-24) is a lesson example, not an official preparation time or outcome promise. |
| 2026 status | Preliminary and final registration is closed. Registered finalists follow their official participant instructions; new students wait for the next official cycle notice. |
| Official 2026 deliverables | Preliminary: Research Paper + Quad Chart. Final: Updated Research Paper + Research Logbook + Backboard Display. The file formats and limits below are dated 2026 facts and do not automatically apply to a future cycle. |
| Week | Topic | Key activities |
|---|---|---|
| W1~2 | Topic selection + category review | Check the current official categories, review reuse conditions for prior KSEF or ISEF work, and record the student's role and mentor-support boundary |
| W3~4 | Research design + data collection | Setting the hypothesis, designing experiments, securing a dataset or planning data collection |
| W5~8 | Experiments + modeling | Apply readiness-appropriate ML or DL models, compare a non-AI baseline, and record data, code, failed attempts, and revisions as the work happens |
| W9~12 | Research Paper in English | The student authors a draft using the eight 2026 guideline components and cross-checks evidence, citations, limitations, and disclosure of AI assistance |
| W13~14 | Quad Chart + current-rule check | Design the one-page four-quadrant summary, then recheck the latest official portal, guideline, and file names before any real submission |
| W15~16 | Finalist Backboard + defense | Only registered 2026 finalists follow their official instructions to prepare the board, English poster presentation, and oral defense |
Official facts were rechecked on August 31, 2026 against the IAI²O homepage, AI4SCI track page, 2026 Submission Guidelines, and official FAQ.
The 2026 guide lists a preliminary Research Paper (PDF up to 10MB, body at least five full pages) and Quad Chart (PDF up to 5MB, one A4 page in four quadrants), followed for finalists by an Updated Paper, chronological Logbook (PDF up to 15MB), and ISEF-style tri-fold Backboard (PDF up to 20MB, brought to the venue). Preliminary and final registration for 2026 is closed. Recheck dates, eligibility, categories, and file specifications in a new official notice for any future cycle. → Read the CIT guide to the official 2026 materials
It requires review. First check each event year's rules on prior work, cross-entry, pre-publication, team ownership, and approvals. If allowed, disclose prior use and mentor support rather than presenting old work as new. Assessed IA, EE, or coursework submissions are not resubmitted as original work; a legitimate extension needs a new question, evidence, and distinct deliverable.
The official 2026 AI4SCI page requires each team to have an adult academic mentor age 18 or older. Whether a particular school teacher, researcher, or CIT instructor may serve in that role is controlled by the latest registration form and organizer confirmation. Student authorship and mentor support must be disclosed accurately.
No. Preliminary and final registration for 2026 is closed. Registered finalists follow their individual organizer instructions; new students wait for the next cycle's official notice and recheck eligibility, dates, and deliverables. Enrolling at CIT does not substitute for event registration or finalist status.