Artificial intelligence is changing what's possible in development, but most AI tools are built for a world with reliable connectivity, a smartphone in hand, and a user already fluent in how to interact with AI. The Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge is an open call to young innovators worldwide to build AI solutions that work in the real conditions facing developing economies, where the people with the most to gain are often furthest from the tools being built. Small AI is a design approach that promotes targeted, use-case-driven solutions, focusing on solving a single, well-defined problem using accessible devices like basic phones, sensors, or microcontrollers running models locally, rather than relying on data-center-heavy, general-purpose AI.
The hackathon is organized by the World Bank Group's Digital and AI Vice Presidency, in collaboration with the Youth Summit, Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC), and Information and Technology Solutions (ITS), and managed by Hack-Nation. It invites young innovators to spend one weekend building a working small AI solution to a real development challenge, through a two-day competition taking place October 3-4, 2026.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Age: Be between 18 and 35 years old, in line with the UN definition of youth.
- Location: Be from any World Bank member country. Applicants from emerging economies are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Team Structure: Apply as an individual or a team of up to 4 members. Each team member must register individually and be identified as part of the same team before the registration deadline.
- Language: All applications and hackathon submissions must be in English.
- Participation Limit: An individual may participate in only one competition entry.
What You'll Build
Applicants choose one sector challenge, health, agriculture, or tourism, and build a solution demonstrating clear value in a constrained environment. Applicants are invited to reflect candidly on what localizing AI development means for them.
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How It Runs
Register for the hackathon through the Hack-Nation platform, then develop and submit your entry during the competition weekend according to Hack-Nation's instructions and technical requirements. Hack-Nation evaluates eligible entries and submits a shortlist to the World Bank Group, which serves as the final judging authority.
Benefits
- Three winners, one each from Agriculture, Health, and Tourism, will be invited to Seoul, South Korea, to present at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026, co-hosted by the World Bank Group and the Government of Korea, October 19-22.
- Winners will be featured in relevant summit sessions on October 21, 2026.
- Travel expenses covered in full, subject to reasonable travel costs, accommodation, and designated event-related expenses.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: Now.
- Application Deadline: September 26, 2026.
- Competition Weekend: October 3-4, 2026.
- Winners Notification: October 5-6, 2026.
- Travel to Seoul: By October 18, 2026.
- Summit Presentation: October 21, 2026.
How to Apply
Register for the hackathon through the official Hack-Nation registration page.
Disclaimer
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and outcomes are not guaranteed.
