Imagine Cup Junior : Microsoft targets younger students with Artificial Intelligence for Good Challenge

Microsoft is extending its global student competition program Imagine Cup to younger students with new Imagine Cup Junior competition. The new competition will target secondary school students between the ages of thirteen to eighteen globally.

Microsoft says Imagine Cup Junior competition will help students learn about technology and build 21^st century skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. While coming up with ideas for improving the world around them. The first edition will focus on Artificial Intelligence and introducing the students to Microsoft’s AI for Good initiatives.

Microsoft VP Education, Anthony Salcito says “we believe the future is in the hands of students around the world. Who are increasingly driven by a sense of purpose and want to have a positive impact on the world and their communities“.

The goal of the competition is to create excitement and energy among students and educators Microsoft says. By giving them the opportunity to use Artificial Intelligence to solve real-world problems. Unlike the other, the Junior competition is only opened to schools and instructor led clubs. To participate in the competition an educator or instructor will need to register the institution for the Contest.

Click to find out more about the competition and how to participate.

Students and educators do not need to have prior knowledge of AI. Microsoft has created a host of materials, including templates and AI resource guides to help learn from scratch. The lesson guides include modules on Fundamentals of AI, machine learning and AI applications in real life.

Submissions for team projects will be open from February 3, 2020 and close April 17, 2020.