TAINAN, TAIWAN — The 2026 Presidential AI Literacy Competition National Finals recently took place at ICC Tainan, bringing together top representative teams from across the country for a high-stakes arena of innovation. Focused on AI model training and situational combat, the competition challenged students to deepen their understanding of machine learning and decision-making logic through hands-on operation. Beyond technical skill, the event emphasized tech ethics, information security, and responsible AI use, guiding students to cultivate cross-disciplinary inquiry and creative problem-solving skills essential for the generative AI era.

According to the Taipei City Department of Education, the competition centered on nurturing the ability of both teachers and students to understand AI architecture, data collection, programming, and model training. Using a gamified mission, teams developed AI models to control a “virtual squid” in a digital environment. The AI had to make real-time decisions—identifying scoring items like shrimp and small fish while dodging marine debris and opponent attacks. Following an intense series of national finals, Taipei’s five representative teams delivered a stellar performance, securing one Gold, one Silver, two Bronze, and one Honorable Mention across various categories. Notably, Jinhua Elementary School won the Gold in the General Elementary category and advanced to the Grand Championship to claim a Bronze.

Gold medalists Tsai Yun-chi and Chen Po-jui from Jinhua Elementary shared their journey, noting they began with Scratch block-based programming to build their foundation in computational thinking. During training, they meticulously deconstructed strategies and variables, repeatedly testing and refining their models. “In the beginning, our squid made constant errors and kept failing,” they remarked. “But by continuously improving our strategy and refining the logic, we finally won the Gold. We are incredibly happy!”

In the Junior High category, the team from Jieshou Junior High earned a Silver medal, showcasing exceptional AI application and teamwork. Supervising teacher Huang Li-heng observed that students constantly optimized algorithms and adjusted parameters to enhance model stability. “This process taught them that AI learning isn’t just about pursuing a perfect result, but about the continuous journey of thinking and improvement,” Huang said. “It embodies the core value of AI literacy: combining technical skill with problem-solving mindsets and social responsibility.”

The Department of Education emphasized that it will continue to integrate smart education policies to expand the depth of AI education in primary and secondary schools. By guiding students through practical machine learning mechanisms, Taipei aims to solidify the foundation for the next generation of digital citizens, ensuring they remain competitive and responsible innovators in a globalized tech society.

News link：https://more-news.tw/466255/