Applications are open for the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026, organized by the World Bank Group and its partners to give young innovators an opportunity to develop practical artificial intelligence solutions for real-world development challenges.

The challenge is open to innovators aged 18 to 35 from World Bank member countries, with participants encouraged to develop solutions for health, agriculture, or tourism. Rather than focusing on large and resource-intensive AI systems, the competition is looking for targeted solutions that can function with limited internet connectivity, local data, basic devices, sensors, or other accessible technologies.

About the Small AI for Development Hackathon

The hackathon responds to the growing need for AI technologies that are useful beyond environments with reliable connectivity and advanced digital infrastructure. With more than two billion people still offline, the organizers are interested in solutions that can work in the conditions experienced by communities across developing economies.

Participants will spend 3–4 October 2026 developing and submitting a working Small AI solution to a selected development challenge.

The competition is organized by the World Bank Group Digital and AI Vice Presidency, in partnership with the World Bank Group Youth Summit, Development Economics Vice Presidency, Information and Technology Solutions, and Hack-Nation.

What Is Small AI?

Small AI refers to targeted, use-case-driven artificial intelligence designed to solve a specific problem without depending on large-scale infrastructure.

Solutions may use:

• Basic mobile phones
• Sensors and microcontrollers
• Local or offline AI models
• SMS and voice interfaces
• Local datasets
• Predictive AI
• Generative AI
• Agentic AI

The emphasis is on developing technology around the actual problem and the environment in which it will be used.

Challenge Areas

Participants will select one of three sectors for their solution:

1. Agriculture

Innovators can explore AI applications that address challenges facing farmers, agricultural businesses and communities, particularly where connectivity and digital resources are limited.

2. Health

Solutions may focus on practical health-related challenges where localized and accessible AI could improve services, information or decision-making.

3. Tourism

Participants can develop AI solutions that respond to challenges in tourism and help businesses and communities benefit from digital technologies.

Solutions will be assessed not only for their technical quality but also for their development relevance, inclusivity, design and potential impact in constrained environments.

What the Winners Receive

Three winning entries will be selected, with one winner from each challenge category: Agriculture, Health and Tourism.

The winners will receive an opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, and present their innovations at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026, taking place from 19–22 October 2026.

Winning solutions will be featured during relevant sector sessions at the Summit on 21 October 2026. Winners may also have opportunities to connect with investors, private-sector representatives, government officials, MSMEs and other participants, subject to availability and mutual interest.

Travel Support

The organizers will cover reasonable travel expenses, accommodation and designated event-related costs for the winning representatives traveling to Seoul.

For team winners, the team will nominate one representative to attend the Summit, with the World Bank Group judging panel making the final determination.

Visa support information will be provided to winners, although winners remain responsible for obtaining their visas and paying applicable visa fees.

Global AI and Digital Summit 2026

The winning innovators will participate in the Global AI and Digital Summit, which will bring together governments, investors, private-sector organizations and international institutions to examine how AI and digital technologies can contribute to development.

The Summit will take place in:

Date: 19–22 October 2026
Location: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Format: Hybrid, with in-person participation and selected livestreamed sessions

Key Dates

• Applications open: Now
• Application deadline: 26 September 2026
• Hackathon: 3–4 October 2026
• Winner notification and preparation: 5–6 October 2026
• Winners travel to Seoul: By 18 October 2026
• Global AI and Digital Summit: 19–22 October 2026
• Winner presentations: 21 October 2026

Applications and competition submissions must be made in English.

Applicants registering through Hack-Nation should use the referral code:

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 26 September 2026.