USAII Global Hackathon 2026

USAII Global AI Hackathon 2026A worldwide virtual student innovation program empowering the next generation to build responsible AI solutions for real-world impact.About the ChallengeThe 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 DifferentTwo-Phase Quality Design– An AI-powered qualifier ensures teams are ready before buildingINFORMS-Aligned Evaluation– Projects judged on problem understanding, AI reasoning, and responsible design—not just codeGlobal Accessibility– Fully asynchronous content with support across 3 time zones via Discord communityReal-World Challenges– All challenges grounded in actual nonprofit and community needsResponsible AI First– Ethics and human oversight are core to every submissionNo Paid Tool Advantage– Judges do not favor paid AI tools over free alternativesTwo-Phase StructurePhase 1: AI Readiness Qualifier (REQUIRED) -Apply between: June 7-10, 2026Results announced: June 12, 2026To ensure a high-quality and fair competition, all registered teams will complete a shortAIReadiness Qualifierone week before the hackathon begins.This will be usedtodown selectteamsif registrationsexceed 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 briefpromptsabout 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 takes30 minutes to completeand doesnot 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, 2026Kickoff: June 14, 10:00 AM ET (livestream and recorded)Submission deadline: June 21, 11:59 PM ETAll 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 TracksHigh School Track (Grades 9-12)AI for Everyday GoodBuild 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 ObviousEnvironment: Make Climate Action Local and RealUndergraduate TrackAI for Life & WorkBuild 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 LifePublic Services: Fix Systems People Depend OnGraduate Track (Master's & PhD)AI for Systems & SocietyBuild 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 HarmPublic Systems & Policy: Build AI That Helps Communities Make Better DecisionsPrizes$15,000 in Cash Prizes + USAII AI Certification ScholarshipsEach track awards:- 🥇 Grand Prize: $2,500 + Scholarship- 🥈 Runner Up: $1,500 + Scholarship- 🥉 Third Place: $500 + Scholarship- 🌟 Best Responsible AI Design: $250 + Scholarship- 💡 Best Social Impact: $250 + ScholarshipGet StartedPhase 1: Pre-Registration (Now)  - Program setup and platform preparationPhase 2: Registration & Team Formation (April 26 - June 6)April 26: Registration opens on DevpostApril-June: Form teams (2-5 members), use Discord for matchmakingJune 6: Registration closesPhase 3: AI Readiness Qualifier (June 7 10:00 am ET - 10 11:59 pm ET)All tracks complete qualifier during same 4-day windowScoring and evaluation June 10-12Phase 4: Qualifier Approval (June 12 11:59 pm ET)Results announced, approval codes sent to qualified teamsPhase 5: Hackathon Build (June 14-21)June 14, 10:00 AM ET: Global kickoff livestream (all tracks)June 14-21: Build periodJune 21, 11:59 PM ET: All submissions duePhase 6: Judging (June 22-25)June 22-23: Validation & screeningJune 23-25: Judge scoringJune 25-26: Panel deliberationPhase 7: Showcase (June 27)June 27, 10:00 AM ET: Global awards ceremony (livestream and recorded)How to ParticipateStep 1: Register Individually (April 26 - June 6)Sign up on DevpostAnswer registration questions about your track, skills, and team statusStep 2: Form Your Team (April-June)Create or join a team (2-5 members required)Use Discord #team-formation for matchmakingTeam members can be from different schools or countriesTeamsmustcompetewithinthetrackalignedwiththeirhighesteducationlevelMixedteamsmustregisterinthehighest-leveltrackrepresentedDevpost assigns your Team IDStep 3: Complete Qualifier (June 7-10)Access link sent via emailAnswer 8 prompts demonstrating AI thinkingTakes 30 minutes to completeReceive results June 12Step 4: Build (If Qualified)Attend kickoff June 14, 10:00 AM ET (recorded)Build during June 14-21Submit project with qualifier approval code by June 21, 11:59 PM ETStep 5: Judging & AwardsProjects judged by industry professionalsWinners announced June 27 10:00 am ETJoin the CommunityDiscord:https://discord.gg/ePjenJnyh4Connect with participants, find teammates, get mentor support, receive updatesQualifir Email:hackathon.qualifier@usaii.orgGeneral questions and supportHackathon Email:aihackathon@usaii.orgGeneral questions and supportWebsite:https://aihackathon.usaii.org/;Complete program informationQuestions?See our FAQ page or join Discord #help-deskReady to build AI for good? Register starting April 26!