According to Greg Brockman (@gdb), the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is a very hard and meaningful challenge, highlighting its significant role in developing advanced AI talent and problem-solving skills within the tech industry (source: x.com/bminaiev/status/1968363052329484642, Sep 17, 2025). Many leading AI companies actively recruit from ICPC participants due to their demonstrated expertise in algorithms and computational thinking, which are critical skills for AI research and practical AI applications. This underscores the contest's value as a pipeline for AI innovation and business growth.