Applications close on September 26, 2026, for the World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026. This fully funded opportunity will send three winning innovators to Seoul, South Korea, to present at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026.
Organized by the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency in collaboration with the Youth Summit, the Development Economics Vice Presidency, and Information and Technology Solutions, and managed by Hack-Nation, the two day hackathon runs on October 3 and 4, 2026. It challenges young innovators to build AI solutions that work in real world conditions across developing economies.
What Is the Small AI for Development Hackathon?
The competition is a global call for innovators aged 18 to 35 to build working small AI solutions to real development challenges over the course of a single weekend.
Most AI tools today are designed for users with reliable internet, modern smartphones, and existing digital literacy. The World Bank notes that the people who stand to benefit most from AI are often the furthest from the tools being built. Small AI flips that model.
What Is Small AI?
Small AI is a design approach focused on targeted, use case driven solutions. Instead of relying on large language models that require extensive data center infrastructure, small AI solutions are built to solve a single, well defined problem, run locally on accessible devices such as basic phones, sensors, or microcontrollers, and function in low connectivity and resource constrained environments.
Three Sector Challenges: Health, Agriculture, and Tourism
Applicants must choose one of three sector challenges and demonstrate a clear value add in a constrained environment. The three categories are Health, Agriculture, and Tourism.
One winning solution will be selected from each category. Winners will be featured in Seoul during summit sessions including “AI for People: Health and Education” and “How Open Networks and AI Are Rewriting the Rules for Small Business in Agriculture and Tourism” on October 21, 2026.
Applicants are also asked to reflect candidly in their submissions on the question: What does localizing AI development mean for you?
Who Is Eligible?
The hackathon is open to applicants aged 18 to 35, in line with the UN definition of youth, who are residents of World Bank member countries. Applicants from emerging economies are strongly encouraged to apply.
Both individuals and teams of up to 4 members may apply. Each team member must register individually and be linked to the same team before the registration deadline. All registrations and submissions must be in English, and each person may participate in only one competition entry.
What Winners Get: A Fully Funded Trip to Seoul
Three winners, one each from Agriculture, Health, and Tourism, will be invited to present an Ignite Talk at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul from October 19 to 22, 2026. The summit is jointly hosted by the World Bank Group and the Government of Korea.
The fully funded package covers travel expenses, subject to reasonable travel costs, accommodation in Seoul, and designated event related expenses as determined by the organizers, along with a showcase spot at a flagship global AI summit.
Key Dates and Timeline
Applications are currently open. The application deadline is September 26, 2026. The competition weekend takes place on October 3 and 4, 2026. Winners will be notified and begin preparation on October 5 and 6, 2026. Winners must travel to Seoul by October 18, 2026, and will deliver their Ignite Talk at the Global AI and Digital Summit on October 21, 2026.
How to Apply
First, register through the official Hack-Nation registration page. Next, develop and submit your competition entry during the hackathon weekend on October 3 and 4, following all instructions, deadlines, and technical requirements on the Hack-Nation platform. Shortlisted entries are then submitted to the World Bank Group, which serves as the final judging authority and selects the winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the World Bank Small AI Hackathon fully funded?
Yes. Winners receive fully covered travel, accommodation, and designated event related expenses for the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul, in accordance with the organizers’ internal logistics guidelines.
What is the application deadline?
September 26, 2026. The hackathon itself takes place on October 3 and 4, 2026.
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 18 to 35 in a World Bank member country. Applicants from emerging economies are strongly encouraged. Both individuals and teams of up to four members may apply.
Do I need to build my project before applying?
No. Registered participants develop their solutions during the competition weekend on October 3 and 4, 2026, and submit them through the Hack-Nation platform.
What should my solution demonstrate?
A clear value add in a constrained environment. Solutions should run locally on basic phones, sensors, or microcontrollers rather than requiring cloud infrastructure or high end devices.
When will winners travel to Seoul?
Winners must travel by October 18, 2026, ahead of their Ignite Talk on October 21, 2026.
The deadline to apply is September 26, 2026. Visit the official Hack-Nation registration page to apply for the World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026.