13 days ago
You're Registered — Here's Everything You Need to Compete
Welcome to the USAII Global AI Hackathon 2026! We're thrilled to have you competing on this global stage. This email is your complete guide to everything you need to do — from today through the Awards on June 27.
📋 PREPARE (Now – June 6)
✅ Register Your Full Team on Devpost — Deadline: June 6, 11:59 PM ET
Every team member must have a Devpost account. These accounts are used to verify your registration for the Qualifier — anyone not registered on Devpost will be unable to access the Qualifier, and completing the Qualifier is required to participate in the Hackathon.
You can add them to your Devpost team project beginning June 14 when the hackathon opens. No exceptions — unregistered members cannot be counted on your submission.
• Register / join your team: https://usaii-global-ai-hackathon-2026.devpost.com
• Need help? Visit https://aihackathon.usaii.org/how-it-works/section/devpost-and-discord
✅ Finalize Your Team Formation — Deadline: June 6, 11:59 PM ET
Teams must be 2–5 members. All members must register in the same track (High School, Undergraduate, or Graduate). Mixed-level teams must register in the highest track represented.
✅ Complete an AI Bootcamp (Optional but Highly Recommended)
Self-paced bootcamps are available through June 6 to build your AI foundations before the qualifier and hackathon begin.
• aihackathon.usaii.org/ai-bootcamps
✅ Watch the Global AI Builder Series — Starts June 7
24 industry professionals share real-world AI insights across a series that runs June 7–14. Sessions are recorded and available on demand.
• aihackathon.usaii.org/global-ai-builder-series
✅ Review Your Track Challenge
Each track has a specific challenge focus. Review the challenge directions and start thinking about your problem space. The full briefs will be shared at Hackathon Kickoff June 14 10:00 am ET.
• High School (9–12): AI for Good in Your World (Community, Learning, or Environment)
• Undergraduate: AI for Life, Learning & Work (Career Readiness, Productivity, or Public Services)
• Graduate/Doctoral: AI for Systems & Society (Human Safety, Public Systems & Policy, or Responsible AI Infrastructure)
• Challenge details: https://aihackathon.usaii.org/about-the-hackathon/section/challenges
✅ Explore Key Resources
• Hackathon Website — Overview, timeline, prizes
• Resources Page — Student guides, qualifier prep guides, rubrics, and more
• FAQs — Answers to the most common questions
• Join Discord: discord.gg/ePjenJnyh4
🎯 QUALIFY (June 7–10)
The AI Thinking Readiness Qualifier is mandatory for all teams. Only qualified teams advance to the hackathon.
• Qualifier Opens: June 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET
• Qualifier Closes: June 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
• Qualifier Results: June 12, 2026 by 6:00 PM ET (via email)
• Complete your qualifier at: qualifier.usaii.org
The qualifier takes 30 minutes and assesses your team's problem understanding, AI reasoning, responsible AI awareness, and communication clarity. No building required.
🛠 HACKATHON BUILD (June 14–21)
• Kickoff: June 14, 2026 10:00 am ET— Challenge Reveal (Zoom link to come)
• Build Phase: June 14–21 — All Tracks (High School, Undergraduate, Graduate). Mentors available daily in all regions on Discord:
AMERICAS: 10:00-11:30 am ET, 6:00-7:30 pm ET
EMEA: 10:00-11:30 am GMT, 5:00-6:30 pm GMT
APAC: 10:00-11:30 am IST, 5:00-5:30 pm IST
• Submission Deadline: June 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET via Devpost
During the build phase, you'll have access to mentors in daily office hours, Discord support channels, and the full speaker series.
⚖️ JUDGING (June 22–25)
• Round 1: AI-assisted screening of all qualifying submissions
• Round 2: Industry judge panel
• Round 3: Final panel judging — Top 10 teams per track
🏆 AWARDS (June 27)
• Global Awards Showcase: June 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET (Zoom link to come)
• $15,000+ in cash prizes and USAII AI Certification Scholarships
• Winners announced live across High School, Undergraduate, and Graduate tracks
📅 Full Timeline at a Glance
• Now – June 6: Team formation & Devpost registration deadline (June 6, 11:59 PM ET)
• April 26 – June 6: AI Bootcamps open (self-paced)
• June 7: Qualifier opens (10:00 AM ET) + Global AI Builder Series begins
• June 7–14: Global AI Builder Series — 24 sessions
• June 10: Qualifier closes (11:59 PM ET)
• June 12: Qualifier results sent by 6:00 PM ET
• June 14: Hackathon Kickoff — All Tracks (Link to be shared)
• June 14–21: Hackathon Build Phase
• June 21: Final submission deadline (11:59 PM ET via Devpost)
• June 22–25: Judging rounds
• June 27: Global Awards Showcase — 10:00 AM ET (Link to be shared)
Warm regards,
The USAII Hackathon Team
Join our Discord community: discord.gg/ePjenJnyh4