USAII® Global AI Hackathon 2026

USAII Global AI Hackathon 2026 Registration is Closed (June 6 11:59 pm ET)Hackathon Kickoff June 14 10:00 am ET:USAII_Hackathon_2026_Kickoff.pdfUSAII_Hackathon_2026_Kickoff.pptxhttps://youtu.be/cYA5GDck6zkUSAII_Hackathon_2026_Kickoff_QA.docxA worldwide virtual student innovation program empowering the next generation to build responsible AI solutions for real-world impact. About the Challenge The USAII Global AI Hackathon is designed to scale to tens of thousands of students globally while maintaining quality, fairness, and meaningful outcomes. This isn't just another hackathon—it's a movement where students across continents tackle authentic challenges using public or synthetic data, learning to innovate responsibly from day one. What Makes This Different Two-Phase Quality Design – An AI-powered qualifier ensures teams are ready before building INFORMS-Aligned Evaluation – Projects judged on problem understanding, AI reasoning, and responsible design—not just code Global Accessibility – Fully asynchronous content with support across 3 time zones via Discord community Real-World Challenges – All challenges grounded in actual nonprofit and community needs Responsible AI First – Ethics and human oversight are core to every submission No Paid Tool Advantage – Judges do not favor paid AI tools over free alternatives Two-Phase Structure Phase 1: AI Readiness Qualifier (REQUIRED) - https://qualifier.usaii.org/ Apply between: June 7-10, 2026 Results announced: June 12, 2026To ensure a high-quality and fair competition, all registered teams will complete a short AI Readiness Qualifier one week before the hackathon begins. This will be used to down select teams if registrations exceed judging capacity. It is a scalability and quality safeguard that confirms teams are real and active, ensures teams understands a challenge, can think critically about AI solutions, and are prepared to participate. Teams will answer a series of brief prompts about a hypothetical scenario, including the problem, users, AI approach, and ethical considerations.Responses are automatically evaluated using an AI-assisted scoring rubric that assesses problem understanding, AI thinking, responsible AI awareness, and clarity of communication. The qualifier typically takes 30 minutes to complete and does not require building anything. Based on scoring and capacity limits, the highest-ranked teams will advance to the hackathon. Teams will receive their results and advancement status via email and through the hackathon platform shortly after the qualifier closes.The AI Readiness Qualifier Access is sent via email on June 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET and will have until 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 2026 to submit their responses . Qualified teams receive approval codes and advance to Phase 2. Phase 2: Hackathon Build (Qualified Teams Only) June 14-21, 2026 Kickoff: June 14, 10:00 AM ET (livestream and recorded) https://webinar.zoho.in/meeting/register?sessionId=1371179302 Submission deadline: June 21, 11:59 PM ET All qualified teams across all tracks build during the same 1-week window ⚠️ Devpost registration does NOT guarantee participation. You MUST pass the qualifier to advance. Three Tracks (Final Briefs shared at Kickoff on June 14 10:00am ET) High School Track (Grades 9-12) AI for Everyday Good Build AI tools that help people find support, understand information, or take environmental action in their local community. Challenge Directions: Community: Help is Hard to Find — Make Support ObviousChallenge_Brief_1_HS_Help_Is_Hard_To_Find.pdf Environment: Make Climate Action Local and RealChallenge_Brief_2_HS_Climate_Action.pdf Undergraduate Track AI for Life & Work Build decision-support tools, navigation systems, or AI assistants that help people manage life, work, and essential services. Challenge Directions: Productivity: Build the "Second Brain" for Real LifeChallenge_Brief_3_UG_Second_Brain.pdf Public Services: Fix Systems People Depend OnChallenge_Brief_3_UG_Second_Brain.pdf Graduate Track (Master's & PhD) AI for Systems & Society Build advanced AI systems for risk detection, policy simulation, community readiness assessment, or infrastructure optimization. Challenge Directions: Human Safety & Protection: Build AI Systems That Protect People from HarmChallenge_Brief_5_GRAD_Human_Safety.pdf Public Systems & Policy: Build AI That Helps Communities Make Better DecisionsChallenge_Brief_6_GRAD_Community_AI.pdf Prizes US $15,000 in Cash Prizes + USAII AI Certification Scholarships Each track awards: - 🥇 Grand Prize: US $2,500 + Scholarship - 🥈 Runner Up: US $1,500 + Scholarship - 🥉 Third Place: US $500 + Scholarship - 🌟 Best Responsible AI Design: US $250 + Scholarship - 💡 Best Social Impact: US $250 + Scholarship Prize Distribution Cash prizes are awarded to the team and disbursed to the designated team leader or nominated recipient. Teams are responsible for internal distribution. International payments are processed in USD via wire transfer or a global payment platform. Scholarships & Certificates USAII AI Certification scholarships and certificates are issued individually to every registered team member. Prize Timeline Winners are announced at the Global Awards Showcase on June 27, 2026. Prize disbursement occurs within 30–45 days, pending receipt of all required payment and compliance information. Requirements Winning teams will be asked to provide payment details and required tax documentation (W-9 for U.S. residents; W-8BEN for international participants). For teams with members under 18, a parent or guardian must be the named prize recipient. Questions: aihackathon@usaii.org Get Started Phase 1: Pre-Registration (Now) - Program setup and platform preparation Phase 2: Registration & Team Formation (April 26 - June 6) April 26: Registration opens on Devpost April-June: Form teams (2-5 members), use Discord for matchmaking June 6: Registration closes Phase 3: AI Readiness Qualifier (June 7 10:00 am ET - June 10 11:59 pm ET) All tracks complete qualifier during same 4-day window Scoring and evaluation June 11-12 Phase 4: Qualifier Approval (June 12 11:59 pm ET) Results announced, approval codes sent to qualified teams Phase 5: Hackathon Build (June 14-21) June 14, 10:00 AM ET: Global kickoff livestream (all tracks) June 14-21: Build period June 21, 11:59 PM ET: All submissions due Phase 6: Judging (June 22-25) June 22-23: Validation & screening June 23-25: Judge scoring June 25-26: Panel deliberation Phase 7: Showcase (June 27) June 27, 10:00 AM ET: Global awards ceremony (livestream and recorded) How to Participate Step 1: Register Individually (April 26 - June 6) Sign up on Devpost Answer registration questions about your track, skills, and team status Step 2: Form Your Team (April-June) Create or join a team (2-5 members required) Use Discord #team-formation for matchmaking Team members can be from different schools or countries Teams must compete within the track aligned with their highest education level Mixed teams must register in the highest-level track represented Devpost assigns your Team ID Step 3: Complete Team Qualifier (June 7-10) https://qualifier.usaii.org/ Answer 8 prompts demonstrating AI thinking Takes 30 minutes to complete Receive results June 12 Step 4: Build (If Qualified) Attend kickoff June 14, 10:00 AM ET (recorded) Build during June 14-21 Submit project with qualifier approval code by June 21, 11:59 PM ET Step 5: Judging & Awards Projects judged by industry professionals Winners announced June 27 10:00 am ET Join the Community Discord: https://discord.gg/ePjenJnyh4Connect with participants, find teammates, get mentor support, receive updates Qualifir Email: hackathon.qualifier@usaii.org General questions and support Hackathon Email: aihackathon@usaii.org General questions and support Website: https://aihackathon.usaii.org/ ; Complete program information Questions? See our FAQ page or join Discord #help-desk Ready to build AI for good? Register starting April 26!