The Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC) and Precarn Inc are inviting students at all levels (high school, college and university) to participate in the 2010 Intelligent Systems Challenge. Computer professionals in industry and academia are also invited to pass this message to interested students and to consider advising a student team. The challenge is a programming contest where students are asked to write a program that is able to automatically characterize events reported in news media, particularly when there are multiple data sources providing context for the information. This year's challenge was proposed by CAE. CAE is a world leader in providing modelling and simulation technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry, defence forces, public security agencies, and healthcare organizations around the globe.

To participate, please visit the challenge website: http://www.intelligent-systems-challenge.ca. Download the full problem description and start programming today! Registration is currently open (until Feb 28). Cash prizes will be awarded to the best solutions in each student category (high school/college, undergraduate and graduate levels). Winners will be announced at the 2010 Intelligent Systems Collaborative Conference in Ottawa, Ontario which runs from May 31-June 2.

The challenge is a joint initiative of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC) and Precarn Inc. The goal of this annual competition is to promote innovation in Canada; establish and strengthen contacts between academia and industry in Canada; increase the awareness of and interest in technologies and methods from the areas of artificial intelligence and intelligent systems for addressing the challenges faced by Canadian industry, organizations and society as a whole; contribute to the development of students’ aptitude and ability through solving challenging real world problems.

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Kate Larson, University of Waterloo Froduald Kabanza, Universite de Sherbrooke Michael Horsch, University of Saskatchewan (The 2010 IS Challenge Organizing Committee)

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Holger H. Hoos, University of British Columbia (on behalf of the IS Challenge Steering Committee)