Name: HackWashU Fall AI Build Challenge
Start: 2026-09-25T11:00:00.000-04:00
End: 2026-09-27T11:00:00.000-04:00
Location: HackWashU Fall AI Build Challenge

HackWashU Fall AI Build Challenge

Join HackWashU for a student-led, 48-hour AI build challenge at Washington University in St. Louis from September 25–27, 2026. Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and experience levels are welcome.

Build a practical AI-powered project, learn through beginner-friendly workshops, work with mentors during office hours, collaborate across disciplines, and present your work at the final showcase. More than 250 WashU students are expected to participate as part of Fall +AI Perspectives Week.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• A welcoming, beginner-friendly environment

• Workshops, mentorship, and office hours

• Interdisciplinary team building and hands-on project development

• Partner-inspired challenges and real-world problem areas

• A final showcase with judging, finalist presentations, and awards

KEY SCHEDULE

All times are Central Time.

• Friday, September 25 at 10:00 AM: Official hacking and submission period begins

• Sunday, September 27 at 10:00 AM: Project submissions close

• Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM: Finalist list announced

• Sunday, September 27 at 4:00 PM: Finalist presentations begin

• Sunday, September 27 at 7:00 PM: Winners announced

Additional workshop, mentorship, and venue details will be shared with registered participants.

Requirements

WHAT TO BUILD

Create a working AI-powered prototype, application, tool, or experience that addresses a meaningful problem. Projects should be substantially developed during the official hacking period. Participants may use existing APIs, models, libraries, frameworks, datasets, and developer tools, provided they clearly disclose them.

WHAT TO SUBMIT ON DEVPOST

• A clear project title and short description

• The problem your team chose and why it matters

• An explanation of your solution and how it works

• A list of technologies, AI models, APIs, datasets, and other tools used

• A working demo link, source-code repository, or other materials that allow judges to review the project

• Images or screenshots that show the project

• A description of what was completed during the challenge, key challenges encountered, and next steps

Submit all required project information by Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM Central Time. Teams selected as finalists must be prepared to present beginning at 4:00 PM Central Time.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

1 non-cash prize

Overall Winner

1 winner

Recognition for the top overall project. Award details will be announced before the event.

Judges

HackWashU Judging Panel
Judges to be announced

Judging Criteria

Impact and Relevance
How clearly the project addresses a meaningful problem and creates value for its intended users or community.
Technical Execution
The quality, functionality, reliability, and appropriate use of AI, data, software, and technical tools in the working prototype.
Innovation and Creativity
The originality of the idea, the creativity of the approach, and how thoughtfully the team uses AI to create a distinctive solution.
User Experience and Presentation
How clearly the team communicates the problem, demonstrates the solution, and delivers an accessible and compelling experience for users and judges.