AI Hackathon 2026
AI Fair & Hackathon
Designing Tomorrow with AI, for Everyone
Registration Start from February 20, 2026
What is the AI Hackathon 2026?
Our AI Adventure invites students to dive into creativity, innovation, and startup-style problem solving through engaging, hands-on, design-driven challenges.
Participants from diverse skills and backgrounds come together to tackle real-world issues that impact society using the power of AI.
The event features two exciting and complementary tracks:
- AI TechQuest is the technical track. It emphasizes building and experimenting through activities such as creating prototypes, developing applications, designing data-driven solutions, or crafting AI-powered tools.
- AI Venture Design Challenge, offers a less technical pathway. This track focuses on imaginative venture design where teams use AI to develop conceptual, strategic, and entrepreneurial ideas with the potential to spark meaningful real-world impact.
Together, these two tracks create an energetic environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and rapid problem solving while promoting interdisciplinary teamwork and inclusive participation.
Dates and Deliverables
| February 20, 2026 | Registration Opens |
| March 13, 2026 | Last Day to Register |
| March 20, 2026 (Noon) | Students learn about the challenges, pick up t-shirts and form groups at the in-person event at the CBA Complex. |
| March 20, 2026 (Midnight) | Group Videos |
| April 06, 2026 | Finalists Announced (Virtual) |
| April 16, 2026 | Finalists Present at AI Fair (In-person) |
2026 Judging Rubric
How original and creative is the proposed solution?
Will the solution create meaningful impact for industries, communities, or society?
Is the proposed solution technically sound, practical, and scalable for real-world implementation?
Does the solution demonstrate potential for real-world execution within a business or organizational context? Is it aligned with market or community needs?
Is the 5-minute video clear, compelling, and effective in communicating the problem, solution, and impact?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. Does the team demonstrate diversity in terms backgrounds, skills, and perspectives?
Mitchell C. Hill
Mitchell C. Hill Center for Digital Innovation
The Mitchell C. Hill Center for Digital Innovation (MHCDI) at Cal Poly Pomona is a high-impact, student-centered hub that empowers the next generation of digital leaders through real-world experience in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
