Welcome to the December AI Challenge!

Are you a middle or high school student (Grades 6-12) passionate about technology, problem-solving, and the future of artificial intelligence? Then gear up for the December AI Challenge, a virtual hackathon designed just for you! Organized by SAILea and SMART Hacks, this is your chance to dive deep into AI, collaborate with peers, and showcase your innovative spirit.

What is the December AI Challenge? This is a virtual hackathon where students will explore the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence. Over two weeks, you'll work individually or in teams to develop creative AI-powered solutions to real-world problems. No prior AI experience is required – just a willingness to learn and create!

Why Participate?

  • Learn & Grow: Engage in hands-on AI development.

  • Workshops: Participate in insightful virtual workshops led by experts to sharpen your skills.

  • Networking: Connect with like-minded students and professionals in the AI community.

  • Compete for Cash Prizes: Showcase your project and win exciting rewards!

Who Can Join? Students currently in Grades 6-12 (or equivalent). Whether you're an aspiring programmer or just curious about AI, this challenge is for you!

Key Dates:

  • Event Runs: December 13th, 2025 - January 11th, 2026

  • Project Submission Deadline: January 4th, 2025

  • Judging Period: January 4th, 2025 - January 11th, 2026

  • Winners Announced: January 12th, 2026

How to Register: Ready to innovate? Click the "Register" button and join the Discord!

Sponsored By: Flatlogic

Let's build the future, one intelligent solution at a time. We can't wait to see what you create!

Requirements

1. Project Deliverables

 

All participants (individuals or teams) must submit the following four items:

  • A. Project Demo Video (Required)

    • Length: Maximum 2 minutes.

    • Content: The video should clearly demonstrate the functionality of your AI solution. It must include a brief introduction (who you are, the problem you're addressing) and a live demonstration of the key features.

    • Format: Upload the video to a platform like YouTube or Vimeo and paste the link into your Devpost submission. Do not upload the video file directly to Devpost.

  • B. GitHub Repository / Codebase (Required)

    • Content: A link to a public GitHub repository containing all the code used in your project.

    • Readme: Your repository must include a README.md file with clear instructions on how to install and run the project locally. List all dependencies (e.g., Python libraries, specific hardware/software needs).

  • C. Project Description / Write-up (Required)

    • Platform: This will be filled out directly on your Devpost page.

    • Content: Clearly and concisely answer the following questions:

      • Problem: What real-world problem does your AI solution address?

      • Solution: How does your AI/Machine Learning model solve this problem?

      • Tools: What specific AI tools, libraries, or models did you use (e.g., TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, pre-trained models)?

      • Future Plans: How could you improve or expand this project in the future?

  • D. Slide Deck / Presentation (Optional but Recommended)

    • Length: Maximum 5 slides.

    • Purpose: A concise visual overview that supports your demo video, detailing the problem, solution, architecture, and team members. This is helpful for judges to quickly grasp the project's scope.

    • Format: Upload as a PDF or link to a Google Slides/PowerPoint presentation.

 

2. General Requirements

 

  • Originality: All code and concepts must be developed entirely during the challenge period (December 13th – January 4th).

  • Team Size: Maximum of 4 students per team.

  • Grading: Projects will be judged asynchronously based on Innovation, Technical Difficulty, Execution, and Presentation Quality (refer to the Judging Criteria section on the Devpost page for full details).

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$200 in prizes
First Place
$80 in cash
1 winner

Second Place
$60 in cash
1 winner

Third Place
$40 in cash
1 winner

Fourth Place
$20 in cash
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Sowjanya Karri

Sowjanya Karri
Principal Technical Engineer @ Oracle

Karthik Rajagopalan
Data Engineer @ Meta

Aritra Saha

Aritra Saha
CS Student @ Georgia Tech

Judging Criteria

  • Innovation (5 pts)
    Originality and creativity of the idea. Judges look for novel problem-solving, thoughtful use of AI, and ideas that go beyond basic or boilerplate implementations.
  • Technical Difficulty (5 pts)
    Depth and complexity of the technical solution. Evaluates meaningful use of AI/ML, appropriate model or tool selection, and demonstrated understanding of the technology.
  • Execution (5 pts)
    How well the project works in practice. Assesses functionality, completeness, code quality, and whether the demo and repository accurately reflect the project.
  • Presentation Quality (5 pts)
    Clarity and effectiveness of communication. Judges consider the demo video, Devpost write-up, and optional slides in explaining the problem, solution, and impact.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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