Microsoft-backed (NASDAQ:MSFT) OpenAI’s artificial intelligence models scored high enough to earn a first-place human ranking at the 2025 International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals in Baku, Azerbaijan.
OpenAI used a combination of GPT-5 and an experimental reasoning model to solve 12 algorithmic problems in less than five hours. GPT-5 correctly solved the first 11 problems, while the experimental model solved the final and most difficult one.
Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) Gemini 2.5 Deep Think solved 10 of the 12 problems correctly.
“Gemini successfully joining this arena, and achieving gold-level results, marks a key moment in defining the AI tools and academic standards needed for the next generation,” said ICPC Global Executive Director Bill Poucher.
Student teams from universities across the world compete annually in the ICPC, which has been dubbed the “Olympics of programming.” The best human team at the event solved 11 of the 12.
St. Petersburg State University of Russia took first place. The University of Tokyo, Beijing Jiaotong University, Tsinghua University and Peking University rounded out the top five. Harvard University placed No. 6.
“GPT-5 solved the majority of problems, underscoring our achievement in providing one of the most intelligent and widely accessible AI models to the public,” OpenAI said in a post on X. “Just one year ago, our reasoning models were significantly less intelligent and far more expensive. Today, we’ve developed models that are not only smarter but also faster and highly affordable, making powerful AI reasoning accessible to everyone through GPT-5.”
The event highlights some of the rising stars in the programming world, as several of OpenAI’s current researchers previously competed at the event. The ICPC was founded in 1970 and has held its annual championship since 1977.
“The contest promotes excellence in algorithmic thinking, programming, and teamwork by challenging students to solve real-world problems under pressure,” according to the ICPC. “It fosters collaboration between academia and industry while spotlighting the next generation of computing professionals through global competitions that drive innovation and growth.”