The Small AI for Development Hackathon · Seoul, Republic of Korea
Applications are open for the World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge 2026, an international innovation competition inviting young innovators to develop practical artificial intelligence solutions for real development challenges. The challenge is designed around the idea of Small AI, meaning targeted and use case driven AI solutions that can work in environments where connectivity, computing resources and access to advanced devices may be limited.
The competition is organized by the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency in collaboration with the World Bank Group Youth Summit, the Development Economics Vice Presidency and Information and Technology Solutions. Hack Nation manages the competition platform and hackathon process. The initiative is intended to give young innovators an opportunity to shape how AI can be designed for developing economies and communities that may not have access to sophisticated digital infrastructure.
Applicants will select one of three development sectors: Agriculture, Health or Tourism. During the two day competition taking place on October 3 and 4, 2026, participants will build and submit a working Small AI solution that responds to a clearly defined challenge within their selected sector.
The Small AI for Development Hackathon responds to the challenge of making AI useful in environments where conventional AI systems may be difficult to deploy. The World Bank notes that more than 2 billion people remained offline as of 2025, while a large number of young people in developing economies are expected to enter the workforce over the coming decade.
Rather than focusing on building increasingly large AI models, the challenge encourages participants to develop smaller, targeted solutions designed around specific problems and operating conditions. Such solutions can use local data and accessible technologies while working within constraints such as limited connectivity, limited computing power and limited access to smartphones or advanced digital services.
• Opportunity to participate in an international World Bank Group innovation challenge
• Experience developing a working AI solution during a two day hackathon
• Opportunity to address a real development challenge in agriculture, health or tourism
• Exposure to an international community of young innovators
• Opportunity for winning entries to be showcased at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026
• Fully covered travel expenses for selected winners, subject to reasonable travel costs and organizer guidelines
• Accommodation and designated event related expenses for winners traveling to Seoul
• Opportunity to present a Small AI solution to an international audience in Seoul
• International visibility for selected solutions and innovators
Participants can develop Small AI solutions addressing challenges affecting agriculture and related development needs. Solutions should demonstrate clear practical value within the conditions of the target environment.
Applicants can explore targeted AI applications that respond to specific health challenges while considering accessibility, connectivity and the needs of communities in developing economies.
Participants can develop AI solutions addressing specific tourism challenges, particularly solutions that can operate effectively in resource constrained environments.
• Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application
• Applicants must be from a World Bank member country
• Applicants from emerging economies are strongly encouraged to apply
• Applications may be submitted individually or by teams
• Teams may have up to four members
• Every team member must register individually
• Each team member must satisfy the eligibility requirements
• Team members must identify themselves as part of the same team before the registration deadline
• An individual may participate in only one competition entry
• Applications and competition submissions must be prepared in English
• Active World Bank Group staff, including consultants and interns, are not eligible
• Team membership cannot be changed after the hackathon begins
Participants are expected to develop a Small AI solution addressing a clearly defined development challenge in one of the three competition sectors.
Potential solutions should consider real world constraints such as:
• Limited internet connectivity
• Basic mobile phones
• Limited computing resources
• Local data requirements
• Limited access to digital services
• Familiar communication channels such as SMS and voice
The World Bank encourages solutions that demonstrate development relevance, inclusivity, practical value and a clear understanding of the environment in which the technology will operate.
Applicants should be prepared to provide the information required through the official Hack Nation registration platform.
• Applicant information
• Team information where applicable
• Confirmation of eligibility
• Selected challenge sector
• Information required by the official hackathon registration form
• Competition entry materials submitted during the official hackathon period
All applications and competition submissions must be made in English. Each team member must complete the required registration individually.
Seoul, Republic of Korea
The Small AI for Development Hackathon
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