The 2026 Technology Olympics, as the largest technology competition in Iran, commenced today, November 1, at the International Innovation Zone of Iran (Pardis Technology Park). This event aims to identify top talents and facilitate networking between skilled individuals and the industry, continuing until November 14.
Competition in 6 Key Technology Areas
The 2026 Technology Olympics provides a platform for evaluating technical skills in 6 main areas including artificial intelligence, programming, cybersecurity, combat robotics, the Internet of Things, and drones. These sections are divided into several specialized leagues, and in the preliminary stage, applicants from 106 countries registered. Ultimately, elites from 11 countries including India, Turkmenistan, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, Belarus, Vietnam, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria advanced to the final stage.
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Cash Prizes and High-Level Competitions
For this edition of the competition, a total cash prize of $10,300 has been allocated, which includes $6,300 for 5 different leagues and a special prize of $4,000 for the cybersecurity league. The preliminary round of the cybersecurity competition featured 2,787 competitors in the form of 1,600 teams, and for the first time, geographical participation in this section exceeded 100 countries.
The presence of top global teams in the cybersecurity competitions significantly enhanced the technical quality of the competition. The TeamH4C from South Korea, which held the number one global ranking at the time of reporting, secured the top position in this stage.
Specialized Competitions in Drones and the Internet of Things
The drone section of the Olympics is also currently underway. In this section, over 930 applicants have registered for professional FPV drone piloting, and after evaluation, 20 teams were selected to participate in the final stage. The secretary of the drone event highlighted the selection process for teams, mentioning specialized training and thorough assessment of flight records.
In the Internet of Things section, 300 volunteers registered in the preliminary stage, and 36 teams successfully advanced to the final stage. This edition is designed with a focus on operational scenarios and connecting smart systems to real-world issues. Shiva Mohammadi, the executive secretary of the Internet of Things competition, emphasized that this event relies on working with real equipment and operational scenarios rather than theoretical tests.
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