Nigeria

South Korea

The World Bank Group is calling on young innovators aged 18–35 worldwide to build practical AI solutions for real development challenges — in a one-weekend hackathon competition that culminates on a global stage in Seoul, South Korea.

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Organized by the **World Bank's Digital and AI Vice Presidency,** in collaboration with **Hack-Nation** and the **Youth Summit,** the **Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge** invites participants to design AI solutions that work in constrained environments — low connectivity, basic phones, local data — to address real challenges in health, agriculture, or tourism. Three winners — one per sector — will be flown to **Seoul to present at** the **Global AI & Digital Summit on 21 October 2026**, alongside global leaders, investors, and policymakers. Applications close **26 September 2026.**

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👉 **Apply:** Click "Go to opportunity" to learn more and use **referral Code:** <u>***WBGSmallAIGADS***</u> to submit your application&#x20;

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### What You'll Gain

* All-expenses-paid trip to Seoul, South Korea for winners
* A High Impact Talk at the World Bank's Global AI & Digital Summit 2026
* Facilitated meetings with investors, private sector leaders, and government officials
* Global recognition and visibility for your AI solution
* Access to the World Bank's AI Repository — a global catalogue of AI use cases
* Certificate of participation for all entrants

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### Who Can Apply

* Aged 18 to 35 at the time of application
* Nationals of any World Bank Group member country
* Individuals or teams of up to 4 members — each must register individually
* Applicants from emerging economies especially encouraged
* Active World Bank Group staff, consultants, and interns are not eligible

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### Sector Challenges — Choose One

* 🌾 **Agriculture** — AI solutions for smallholder farmers in low-connectivity environments
* 🏥 **Health** — AI tools improving healthcare access and delivery
* 🏝 **Tourism** — AI innovations supporting local tourism economies

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**⚠️ Important Application Information**

* **Step 1:** Register via the application form at hack-nation.ai using referral code **WBGSmallAIGADS** — deadline **26 September 2026**
* **Step 2:** Build and submit your Small AI solution during the competition weekend **3–4 October 2026**
* Winners notified **5–6 October 2026** — travel to Seoul by **18 October 2026**
* Ignite Talk at the Summit: **21 October 2026**
* Applications and submissions must be in English
* Team entries: one representative travels to Seoul — World Bank makes the final determination
* Winners are responsible for their own visa — a World Bank support letter will be provided
* No email or social media submissions accepted — official platform only
* Contact: [GADS@worldbankgroup.org](mailto\:GADS@worldbankgroup.org)

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**Deadline:** 26 September 2026

English

Applications Of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Human-Centered Design

Machine Learning

Problem Reporting

Public Speaking

Teamwork

Build a Small AI solution for health, agriculture, or tourism — win an all-expenses trip to Seoul to present at the World Bank's Global AI & Digital

Hackathon: World Bank Small AI Hackathon Challenge 2026