The annual national AI championship hosted by the University of Sharjah has attracted AI-savvy competitors from around the United Arab Emirates.

Exploring latest developments in AI technology, the championship provided an essential forum for discussion among UAE school students with an interest in the cutting edge of AI-related innovation.

The championship was first launched by UAE's Ministry of Education in 2015. It is the first time it has been brought together by the University of Sharjah as part of efforts to solidify links with the community.

The championship draws a lot of attention from the UAE media and education institutions. It is a national event and this year it involved 17 different competitions with over 750 students taking part.

Over the one-day gathering, the participants featured fascinating games with different teams going head-to-head in their bid for nomination to take part in international AI competitions.

As the teams presented their AI innovations, experts assessed the projects and provided their feedback. Student AI presentations showcased new technologies, robotics, AI innovations, STEM, and programming.

Attracting the experts' attention was a competition dealing with rescue lines in which the students had built robots to deliver people in emergencies like fire and earthquakes.

Professor Yousef Haik, Sharjah University's Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said his institution was keen to expand its growing extra-curricular partnerships.

Praising the championship, he went on to say that UAE universities should consider taking part in the competition with their own teams.

Many students were accompanied by their parents and shouts of applause and cheers could be heard when their beloved ones emerged the winners.

“I think having students today with their parents will be great for the community. Parents are able to see what the university can offer. Parents will have the opportunity to talk to senior members of the university," said Professor Abbes Amira, Sharjah University's Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics.

“This event will definitely add value to what we are doing in terms of raising awareness about our programs and attracting students," he added.

He described the championship as a “great event, which will help maximize the visibility of the college and the university. It maximized our impact and services that we provide to the community."

Mahmoud Samy Madi of the organizing committee saw the holding of the event at Sharjah University's premises as bridging the camp between the university on the one hand, and the community and the Ministry of Education on the other.

“This is an important event for the community, the university, and the ministry. The ministry will guide the winners, ensure that they have the resources necessary to compete internationally, and sponsor them for international competitions," he said.

Student Mohamed Gamal Hassan from Al Rashidiya School, Grade 11, had built a robot that can play football.

“We took over three months to build this robot. We had to order a lot of pieces for it. We faced a lot of challenges. Our aim is to go to the world (AI) competition after this," he said.

He found the event “amazing … the judges … great. The other projects … inspiring."​