Written by Young innovators aged 18 to 35 can now apply for the World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026, an international competition inviting participants to build practical AI solutions for development challenges in agriculture, health and tourism.
The challenge will bring selected young innovators together for a two-day virtual hackathon on October 3–4, 2026. Three winning entries will be selected, with one winner from each sector.
Each winning individual or team will receive an all-expenses-covered trip to Seoul, South Korea, to showcase the solution at the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026 in October.
What Is the Small AI for Development Hackathon?
The competition is organised by the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency, in collaboration with the World Bank Group Youth Summit, Development Economics Vice Presidency and Information and Technology Solutions. Hack-Nation is managing the competition platform.
The challenge focuses on “Small AI” — targeted AI solutions designed to solve specific problems without relying on large-scale infrastructure.
Solutions can be designed to work with basic phones, sensors or microcontrollers, operate with limited connectivity, use local data and interact through familiar channels such as SMS and voice.
Participants will spend one weekend building a working solution that addresses a real development challenge in one of three sectors:
- Agriculture
- Health
- Tourism
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to:
- Young innovators aged 18 to 35
- Applicants from World Bank member countries
- Individuals or teams
- Innovators from emerging economies, who are particularly encouraged to participate
A team can have up to four members.
Each team member must register individually, meet the eligibility requirements and be identified as part of the same team before the registration deadline.
An individual can participate in only one competition entry.
Current World Bank Group staff, including consultants and interns, are not eligible to participate.
What Kind of Solutions Are Expected?
Applicants are expected to build an AI solution that addresses a specific development challenge in a constrained environment.
The solution should demonstrate clear value in its chosen sector and take into account the conditions under which people in developing economies actually use technology.
For example, solutions could be designed around environments where users have:
- Limited internet connectivity
- Basic mobile phones
- Limited computing resources
- Limited access to digital services
- Locally specific data and development needs
The World Bank is particularly interested in solutions that show clear development relevance, inclusivity and practical value rather than simply demonstrating technical capability.
What Do Winners Receive?
Three winners will be selected, with one winner each from Agriculture, Health and Tourism.
Each winning individual or team will receive:
- An all-expenses-covered trip to Seoul, South Korea
- The opportunity to attend the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026
- A platform to present the winning Small AI solution
- A featured High Impact Talk during the relevant sector session
- Exposure to governments, investors, private-sector organisations and international development stakeholders
- Potential facilitated meetings with investors, companies, government officials, MSMEs and other Summit participants
The Summit will take place from October 19 to 22, 2026, with the winning solutions scheduled to be showcased on October 21.
For a winning team, only one representative will travel to Seoul to represent the team. The World Bank judging panel will make the final determination on the representative.
Important Dates
Application deadline: September 26, 2026
Hackathon: October 3–4, 2026
Winners notified: October 5–6, 2026
Winner travel to Seoul: By October 18, 2026
Global AI & Digital Summit: October 19–22, 2026
Winning solutions showcased: October 21, 2026
How to Apply
Participation involves two required steps.
Step 1: Register for the Hackathon
Eligible applicants must complete the Hack-Nation application process by September 26, 2026.
Applicants should use the referral code:
WBGSmallAIGADS
Applications must be submitted in English.
Step 2: Build and Submit Your Solution
Applicants who are registered and accepted will develop their Small AI solution during the official hackathon on October 3–4.
The completed competition entry must be submitted through the designated Hack-Nation platform during the competition window.
Registration alone does not constitute a competition entry. Applicants must complete both stages to be considered for judging.
What Is Small AI?
The World Bank describes Small AI as a targeted approach to AI development that focuses on solving a specific, well-defined problem rather than building a large general-purpose model.
Such solutions can use local data and operate through accessible technologies such as basic phones, SMS, voice, sensors or microcontrollers.
The approach is particularly relevant to environments where internet access, computing infrastructure or advanced devices may be limited.
How Will Entries Be Judged?
Entries will be assessed beyond technical merit.
The organisers will consider factors including:
- Development relevance
- Design
- Inclusivity
- The practical value of the proposed solution
- Its ability to address a real challenge in a constrained environment
Hack-Nation will evaluate eligible entries and submit a shortlist to the World Bank Group, which will serve as the final judging authority.
How to Apply
Interested young innovators can apply through the official World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge page and follow the registration instructions for the Hack-Nation platform.
Application deadline: September 26, 2026
Apply through the World Bank Group official challenge page
Key Details
Programme: World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026
Focus: Small AI and development
Sectors: Agriculture, Health and Tourism
Age: 18–35
Eligibility: Applicants from World Bank member countries
Team size: Individual or up to 4 members
Hackathon: October 3–4, 2026
Application deadline: September 26, 2026
Winners: Three, one from each sector
Winner benefit: All-expenses-covered trip to Seoul and opportunity to showcase solution at the Global AI & Digital Summit
Summit: October 19–22, 2026, Seoul, South Korea