DUBAI, UAE
Sallam Sallam
The Emirates Safer Internet Society (eSafe), in partnership with Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), and Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship (GIE), proudly announce the opening of registration for the ‘Safe AI Cup’ 2026 (formerly held as STOGOCOMP).
This competition serves as the flagship project of the newly launched “Safe AI for Society Initiative,” translating the initiative’s strategic vision into a tangible challenge for the nation’s youth. Hosted by the University of Dubai (UD), this year’s edition invites school students to move beyond theory and build functional solutions under the theme: ‘Applications of Generative AI in Education’.
In a strategic shift to align with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the Safe AI 2026 Cup aims to nurture deep technical skills. Unlike previous years, the competition will exclusively accept prototype submissions. Students are challenged to develop live, functioning prototypes of Generative AI tools—such as AI tutors, content generators, or safety algorithms—that solve real-world educational problems.
Competition At A Glance:
● Theme: Applications of Generative AI in Education.
● Target Audience: Students aged 11 to 18 years across public and private schools.
● Categories: Tweens (11–14 years) and Teens (15–18 years).
● Goal: To engage 500+ students in creating ethical, practical AI solutions.
● Grand Prize: Exclusive mentorship and lab tours at the University of Dubai.
Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, President of RAS, commented: “The ‘Safe AI Cup’ is a strategic evolution. By focusing specifically on Generative AI and demanding a working prototype, we are moving our students from being mere users of technology to becoming responsible creators. This is the practical application of the vision we share with eSafe and GIE.”
Dr. Abdullah Mohamed Al Mehyas, Chairman of eSafe, stated: “The ‘Safe AI for Society Initiative’ is the necessary evolution of our mission. As AI becomes ubiquitous, we must ensure it is safe for our children and beneficial for our society. This alliance with GIE and RAS allows us to move from awareness to action, creating a structured environment for responsible innovation.”
Ms. Sanjana Bhardwaj, Founder of the competition, emphasized: “Generative AI is reshaping learning. Our challenge this year is to ensure that this technology is built with core principles of inclusion and equity. We are looking for students who can code, but who also care about the impact of what they build.”
Mr. Tarek Salah Eldin, CEO of GIE, commented: “Innovation without safety is a risk; safety without innovation is stagnation. Our role in this initiative is to ensure the UAE’s youth have the technical infrastructure and mentorship to build AI that is both powerful and principled. We are proud to bring our deep-tech ecosystem experience to this vital national cause.”
Key Dates:
● Registration Open: Now Open
● Submission Deadline: Feb. 28, 2026
● Award Ceremony: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (University of Dubai)
Students and schools can register their teams and download the technical guidelines starting today.
Register now at: safeaicup.com
