Human Coder Edges Out OpenAI in AtCoder Finals, but AI Gains Ground

Human Coder Edges Out OpenAI in AtCoder Finals, but AI Gains Ground
…………………

Polish programmer Przemysław Dębiak, known online as Psyho, narrowly defeated an AI system developed by OpenAI in the AtCoder World Tour Finals 2025, held in Tokyo earlier this month. The 41-year-old former OpenAI employee emerged victorious in the 10-hour coding contest, which involved solving complex optimization problems. OpenAI’s algorithm finished second, trailing by just 9.5%.

Despite the win, Dębiak acknowledged the rapid progress of AI and suggested he could be the last human to secure the title. “AI might not be the smartest right now, but it’s definitely the fastest,” he said, highlighting the technology’s ability to make rapid iterative changes and work in parallel.

The competition, featuring 11 top-ranked human coders and one AI system, tested participants with problems like the “travelling salesman,” which require high-level reasoning and optimization. While AI is increasingly used for routine coding tasks, its performance on open-ended logical challenges is gaining attention.

Dębiak reflected on the irony of having helped develop the tools that now rival human abilities, noting broader concerns about AI’s societal impact. As companies like Meta and Microsoft invest heavily in AI development, experts warn that automation may soon transform white-collar professions at an unprecedented pace.