Build what comes next

Since AI 2026 brings together more than 1,000 ambitious AI builders, engineers, researchers, founders, designers, and technical operators in Turku, Finland.

This is not a conference.

During an intensive three-day build event, participants form multidisciplinary teams, select one of 15 carefully scoped real-world challenges, and turn it into a working AI prototype.

The focus is on execution:

  • Working code
  • Functional demonstrations
  • Technical experimentation
  • Real industry problems
  • Concrete paths toward pilots and continued development
Why join?
  • €50,000 total prize pool
  • 15 real-world company challenges
  • More than 1,000 builders onsite
  • Technical mentors and research expertise
  • Access to leading AI technologies and infrastructure
  • Connections to companies, investors, researchers, and potential employers
  • Opportunities for pilots, recruitment, commercialization, and continued development
Who should apply?

We are looking for people who build.

Relevant backgrounds include:

  • AI and machine learning engineering
  • LLMs and AI agents
  • Computer vision
  • Robotics and edge AI
  • Data engineering and MLOps
  • Software engineering
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applied research
  • Product and design
  • Entrepreneurship

You do not need a finished startup or a pre-formed team.

You need technical ambition, the ability to execute, and the willingness to collaborate with highly driven builders.

Event information

Dates: 6–8 November 2026
Location: Turku, Finland
Format: In person
Participation: Free
Capacity: Limited
Application: Reviewed on a rolling basis

Early applications receive priority.

Official application required

Joining this Devpost page does not guarantee admission.

All participants must apply through the official Since AI application platform and be accepted before attending:

https://sinceai.app/events/since-ai-hackathon-2026

Learn more:

https://sinceai.ai

Requirements

What to build

Build a functional AI prototype addressing one of the official Since AI 2026 challenge tracks.

Your project should:

  • Address a clearly defined real-world problem
  • Use artificial intelligence or machine learning as a meaningful part of the solution
  • Include a working prototype or credible technical demonstration
  • Be developed substantially during the official competition period
  • Be technically feasible to continue after the event
  • Consider responsible AI, privacy, security, and safety where relevant

Teams may use existing libraries, APIs, models, frameworks, and open-source tools.

Any pre-existing code, models, datasets, or other assets must be clearly disclosed.

What to submit

Each submission must include:

  1. Project name
  2. Challenge track
  3. Short project description
  4. Problem statement
    What problem does the project solve, and for whom?
  5. Solution description
    What did the team build, and how does it work?
  6. Technical architecture
    Models, frameworks, APIs, infrastructure, datasets, and technologies used.
  7. Working prototype
    Include a live demo link, executable build, API, repository, or clear testing instructions.
  8. Code repository
    A public or judge-accessible repository containing the work completed during the event.
  9. Demo video
    A public video of no more than two minutes showing the prototype in action.
  10. Work completed during the event
    Explain what was created during the official competition period.
  11. Pre-existing assets
    Disclose any code, models, datasets, designs, or other materials created before the event.
  12. Responsible implementation
    Explain how the project addresses relevant privacy, security, safety, fairness, or responsible AI considerations.
  13. Next steps
    Describe how the prototype could progress toward a pilot, product, research project, or continued development.

Only complete submissions received before the deadline are eligible for judging and prizes.

Draft projects that have not been formally submitted before the deadline will not be evaluated.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

€50,000 in prizes
Grand Prize
€10,000 in cash
1 winner

Company Challenge Winner Awards
€2,000 in cash
15 winners

Best Technical Execution
€4,000 in cash
1 winner

Best Responsible AI Implementation
€3,000 in cash
1 winner

Best Commercial Potential
€3,000 in cash
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Jason Mayes

Jason Mayes
Web AI Lead, Google

Rasmus Harmaala

Rasmus Harmaala
Partner, Inovexus

Jussi Kallasvuo

Jussi Kallasvuo
General Partner, Antler

Judging Criteria

  • Technical Execution — 30%
    Quality of implementation, functionality, technical architecture, reliability, and the technical difficulty of the work completed during the official competition period.
  • Challenge Fit and Impact — 25%
    How effectively the solution addresses the selected challenge, solves a meaningful real-world problem, and creates measurable value for its intended users or stakeholders.
  • Innovation — 20%
    Originality of the concept and the meaningful, technically justified use of artificial intelligence, data, or other relevant technologies.
  • Prototype and Demonstration — 15%
    Quality of the working prototype, usability, clarity of the demonstration, and evidence that the proposed solution works in practice.
  • Responsible Implementation and Feasibility — 10%
    Consideration of responsible AI, privacy, security, safety, maintainability, scalability, and the realistic potential for continued development or a pilot.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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