{"nodes":[{"node":{"nid":"83326","title":"North American AI Challenge","campus":"Online event, Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU","locations":"Thunderbird\u0026#039;s Global Headquarters","college_unit":"Educational Outreach and Student Services, Enterprise Technology, J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, School for the Future of Innovation in Society","department":"","field_cost_value":"Free","event_price_level":"Free","asu_events_price_desc":"Free","body_summary":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eoss.asu.edu\/sparkcenter\u0022\u003ESpark Center for Innovation in Learning\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","full_body":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eoss.asu.edu\/sparkcenter\u0022\u003ESpark Center for Innovation in Learning\u003C\/a\u003E (SCIL), in collaboration with Enterprise Technology, invites interdisciplinary student teams from across North American higher education institutions to participate in the \u003Cstrong\u003ENorth American AI Challenge for Neurodiverse Learning, \u003C\/strong\u003Ea hybrid design and venture challenge for students running Oct. 24 \u2013 Nov. 21, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EOct. 24 to Nov. 21, 2026\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, this design and venture challenge invites students to prototype and pitch AI-driven ventures that support neurodivergent young people, while engaging higher education institutions and service-minded organizations across North America as partners and collaborators.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInformed by real-world research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E with trusted partners that serve neurodiverse communities, student teams will\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Edevelop and present venture-ready AI solutions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E through a series of pitch rounds, culminating in a live grand finale in Phoenix, Arizona, with $15,000 in grand prizes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022uds-highlighted-heading\u0022\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highlight-gold\u0022\u003EThe Challenge: \u003Cspan\u003EDesign and prototype the next generation of inclusive AI. Work as a team to build intelligent systems that decode \u0022executive function\u0022 \u2014 the mental skills we use to plan, focus, and juggle tasks \u2014 to better support individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodiversity.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highlight-gold\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe want you to look beyond standard productivity apps; instead, combine neurodiversity research, AI prototyping, and smart business thinking to create something truly new. Show us how intelligent systems can uncover helpful insights, tailor support to the individual, and grow into responsible, real-world solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn this competition, student teams will:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022uds-list\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConduct direct partner research:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Engage with an assigned Challenge Partner (a vetted institution, program, or service provider) to ground proposals in lived experience, institutional realities, and real user needs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrototype a functional MVP:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Build an original, working functional Minimum Viable Prototype (FMVP) that incorporates AI and partner research within the intensive two-week design sprint.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPresent live:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Pitch live in-person at a regional Challenge Launchpad by Nov. 7 to earn a spot at the live grand finale on Nov. 21 in Phoenix, Arizona to compete for the $15,000 Sinema Grand Prizes and seed funding, as well as global showcase opportunities.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EChallenge schedule\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMay 15 - Sept. 30 | Application window\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPre-formed teams from participating universities in the United States and Mexico are invited to apply through Sept. 30.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan\u003EAll individual team members must submit an application to be considered.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESee our Rules section for team requirements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFriday, Oct. 9 | Teams notified\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETeams notified of their advancement and next steps via email.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaturday, Oct. 24 | Challenge kick-off (virtual)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EParticipants, partners, and mentors gather online to review challenge overview and exclusive details, enjoy keynotes from challenge experts, reveal Challenge Partners, ensure tool access and begin team ideation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOct. 25 - Nov. 6 | Design sprint\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn two weeks, teams design, conduct research with a Partner, prototype their solutions, and prepare to pitch live on Nov. 7, 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFriday, Nov. 6 | Arizona Launchpad event\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETeams pitch and demo their solutions live to an expert panel of evaluators in 5-minutes or less following a 5-slide template. Each Launchpad will select one winning team to advance to the grand finale in Phoenix, AZ on Nov. 21.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaturday, Nov. 21 | Challenge Finale, Phoenix, AZ\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAdvancing teams compete in Phoenix, AZ at the grand finale featuring pitches, demos and awards ceremony!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPrize pool\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022uds-highlighted-heading\u0022\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highlight-gold\u0022\u003EGold \/ First Place Team | $15,000 Grand Prize Sinema Student Award\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs a prize, the top-ranked team will receive the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EGrand Prize Sinema Student Award, a $15,000\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Egrand prize\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E to nurture the winning MVP from a moonshot idea to a breakthrough innovation, distributed evenly to all members of the team. Awards will be dispersed as $5,000 scholarships,\u0026nbsp; distributed evenly to all members of the team as scholarships through your host institutions, and $10,000 in seed funding.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ESinema Student Award winners will receive:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022uds-list\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAccess to mentorship and technical support from Arizona State University.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEngagement with a global community of innovators tackling similar challenges.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEntry into SCIL\u2019s virtual Pitch Studio in preparation for live pitching opportunities.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA platform to spotlight their work and learn from leaders in AI, entrepreneurship and education technology.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYear-long support from SCIL\u2019s virtual Venture Studio, where ventures refine their business model, validate impact, and prepare for investors.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022uds-highlighted-heading\u0022\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highlight-black\u0022\u003ESilver \/ Second Place Team | $5,000\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe second place team or runner up team will receive a\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E$5,000 Silver award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, distributed evenly to all members of the team. Awards will be dispersed as a scholarship through your host institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022uds-highlighted-heading\u0022\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highlight-black\u0022\u003EBronze \/ Third Place Team | $2,500\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe third place team or runner up team will receive a\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E$2,500 Bronze award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, distributed evenly to all members of the team. Awards will be dispersed as a scholarship through your host institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam requirements \u2013 Apply by Sept. 30\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWe are seeking mature, pre-formed teams of 3\u20135 students from eligible North American higher education institutions in the United States and Mexico. We strongly encourage interdisciplinary groups combining developers, entrepreneurs, and neurodiversity advocates with established trust and collaborative history.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022uds-list\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EComplete teams only:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Teams must consist of 4\u20135 currently enrolled students. Interdisciplinary mixes of technologists\/engineers, UI\/UX designers, business strategists, and communicators are strongly encouraged.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETechnical \u0026amp; Design skills:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Experience in AI prototyping, prompt engineering, software pipeline development, or human-centered interface design.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch engagement:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Willingness to conduct non-clinical customer research with assigned Challenge Partners.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegional Hub agreement:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Teams must apply to a single regional Challenge Launchpad and agree to compete in person\/virtually at that hub\u0027s pitch event by Nov. 7.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022btn btn-gold\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/tech.asu.edu\/na-ai-challenge\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022text\u0022\u003ELearn more\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","phone":"","contactname":"Olivia Herneddo","email":"oherneddo@asu.edu","delta":"0","alias":"https:\/\/asuevents.asu.edu\/event\/north-american-ai-challenge?id=0","ticketing_rsvp_txt":"Register by Sept. 30","ticketing_rsvp_txt2":"","ticketing_rsvp_url":"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appTfuhA8WpKrD1wx\/pag0ANROq59ltVKvT\/form","ticketing_rsvp_url2":"","website":"https:\/\/tech.asu.edu\/na-ai-challenge","image_url":"https:\/\/asuevents.asu.edu\/sites\/g\/files\/litvpz3506\/files\/2026-08\/240321%20ASU%20Thrive%20-%20AI%20Acceleration%20team%20-%20DP7A5048%20-%20SM_0.jpg","image_alt":"","image_title":"","start_date":"Oct 24 2026 - 10:00am","end_date":"Oct 24 2026 - 12:00pm","time_description":"Saturday, Oct. 24 | Challenge kick-off (virtual)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nOct. 25 - Nov. 6 | Design sprint\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nFriday, Nov. 6 | Arizona Launchpad event\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nSaturday, Nov. 21 | Challenge Finale, Phoenix, AZ\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n","very_start_date":"2026-10-24T10:00:00Z","very_end_date":"2026-10-24T12:00:00Z","event_types":"Hackathon","interests":"Awards|Entrepreneurship|Hackathon|Inclusion|Technology","audiences":"For current ASU students|For the community","event_units":"Educational Outreach and Student Services|Enterprise Technology|J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute|School for the Future of Innovation in Society","event_topics":"Inclusion|Professional and career development|Science","download":"","event_map_url":"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/zHkBn8oBrj1Ammji7","event_map_title":"","event_video":"","location_term":"Online event, Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU","venue_address":"401 N 1st St","venue_city":" Phoenix","venue_state":"AZ ","venue_zip":"85004","alias-indexed":"https:\/\/asuevents.asu.edu\/event\/north-american-ai-challenge?id=0","sport_tag":"","game_type":"","subtitle":"","season":"","athletic_conference":"","tv_network":"","radio_station":"","wear_color":"","game_theme":"","history":"","history_text":"","related_stories":"","related_stories_text":"","game_notes":"","game_notes_text":"","recap_link":"","recap_link_text":"","live_stats":"","live_stats_text":"","game_time_tba":"No","sda_all_day":"No","opponent_logo":"","related_videos":"","related_videos_text":"","recurring":"no"}}]}