World Bank Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in South Korea – Youth AI Hackathon Challenge
The World Bank Group and the Republic of Korea will host the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul from October 19 to 22, 2026. The event will explore how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can support economic development and create new opportunities. Although in-person Summit attendance is by invitation only, young innovators aged 18–35 can enter the associated Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge. Three winning entries will receive sponsored travel to Seoul to present their solutions at the Summit. Hackathon registration closes on September 26, 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: Global AI and Digital Summit 2026
Associated Opportunity: Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge
Opportunity Type: AI Hackathon and International Summit
Summit Organizers: World Bank Group and the Government of the Republic of Korea
Country: South Korea
Location: Seoul
Summit Dates: October 19–22, 2026
Hackathon Dates: October 3–4, 2026
Eligible Applicants: Young innovators aged 18–35
Winner Support: Sponsored travel and participation at the Global AI and Digital Summit
Hackathon Registration Deadline: September 26, 2026
About the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026
The Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 will bring together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, researchers, innovators, and youth leaders.
The World Bank Group will host the event in cooperation with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) and Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
The Summit will examine how artificial intelligence and digital transformation can create jobs, improve productivity, strengthen essential services, and expand economic opportunities.
Discussions will also address responsible AI development and the importance of making digital technologies accessible to people in developing economies.
Main Areas of Discussion
The Summit will explore several areas of artificial intelligence and digital development.
These include:
• AI applications that support employment and economic growth.
• Digital connectivity and affordable access to technology.
• AI readiness and the development of digital ecosystems.
• The application of AI in agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism, and government services.
• Responsible AI development and public trust.
• Digital solutions designed for environments with limited connectivity.
The event will connect discussions on public policy, technological innovation, and investment with practical development challenges.
Summit Participation and Public Access
The Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 will take place in Seoul, South Korea, from October 19 to 22, 2026.
In-person participation at the Summit is by invitation only.
However, selected sessions will be open to the public and streamed online.
The organizers will publish additional information about public sessions and livestream access as the programme is finalized.
Young innovators interested in presenting their AI solutions at the Summit can participate in the associated Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge.
The competition provides an opportunity for selected winners to attend the Summit and showcase their projects.
Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge
The World Bank Group is organizing the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge in connection with the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026.
The competition invites young innovators to develop artificial intelligence solutions that address development challenges in environments with limited connectivity and technological resources.
Participants will focus on creating practical AI applications that can operate under real-world conditions in developing economies.
The Hackathon is organized by the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency in collaboration with the Youth Summit, Development Economics Vice Presidency, and Information and Technology Solutions.
Hack-Nation will manage the competition platform.
What Is Small AI?
Small AI is an approach to developing artificial intelligence solutions that address specific problems using accessible technology.
Rather than relying on extensive computing infrastructure, Small AI solutions focus on targeted applications that can operate in resource-constrained environments.
Solutions may use:
• Basic mobile phones.
• Sensors and microcontrollers.
• AI models running locally on accessible devices.
• SMS and voice-based interfaces.
• Locally available data.
The competition encourages participants to consider the practical conditions in which their technologies will be used.
These include limited internet connectivity, digital literacy, available infrastructure, and the needs of local communities.
Hackathon Competition Categories
The Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge focuses on three sectors.
Applicants must select one sector and develop an AI solution addressing a specific development challenge.
1. Health
Participants can develop AI solutions that respond to healthcare challenges in resource-constrained environments.
Projects should demonstrate how targeted AI applications can provide practical value under the conditions identified in the competition’s sector brief.
2. Agriculture
The agriculture category focuses on AI solutions addressing development challenges in the agricultural sector.
Participants should demonstrate how their proposed technology can function within the practical limitations and requirements of the chosen challenge.
3. Tourism
The tourism category invites participants to develop AI applications that address challenges relevant to the tourism sector.
Projects should demonstrate clear value and measurable impact within the conditions established in the competition brief.
The organizers will select one winning entry from each category.
Also read: World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026 in Korea (Fully Funded)
Benefits and Financial Coverage
The Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 offers sponsored participation for the three winning Hackathon entries.
One winner will be selected from each of the following categories:
• Agriculture
• Health
• Tourism
The winning individuals or designated team representatives will be invited to Seoul to present their Small AI solutions at the Summit.
What the Winners Receive
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ Sponsored travel to Seoul, South Korea, subject to the organizers’ travel arrangements and approved costs.
✓ Accommodation and designated event-related expenses, as determined by the organizers.
✓ Participation in the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026.
✓ An opportunity to present their AI solution during a relevant Summit session on October 21, 2026.
✓ Opportunities to engage with participants from government, international organizations, the private sector, and the investment community.
Winners may also be offered facilitated meetings with investors, private sector representatives, government officials, and other Summit participants.
These additional meetings depend on availability and mutual interest.
Financial Support for Teams
If a team wins the competition, it must nominate one representative to attend the Summit in Seoul.
The World Bank Group judging panel will make the final determination regarding the representative.
The travel award covers the designated representative rather than providing sponsored travel for every team member.
Visa Requirements and Expenses
Winning participants are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa to travel to South Korea.
They must also cover visa application fees and related expenses unless the organizers expressly approve specific costs in writing.
The World Bank Group will provide a letter of support to assist winning participants with their visa applications.
However, visa decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant immigration authorities.
Eligibility Criteria
The Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge welcomes young innovators who meet the official competition requirements.
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
• Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
• Submit their application and competition materials in English.
• Develop a Small AI solution addressing one of the three designated sector challenges.
• Complete the required registration and competition submission procedures.
• Comply with the technical, originality, format, and deadline requirements established by the organizers.
The competition welcomes young innovators worldwide, with applicants from emerging economies strongly encouraged to participate.
Individual and Team Applications
Applicants may participate individually or as part of a team.
Teams may include up to four members.
Each team member must:
• Register individually through the competition platform.
• Meet all eligibility requirements.
• Be identified as a member of the same team before the registration deadline.
An individual may participate in only one competition entry.
Team membership cannot be changed after the Hackathon begins.
The organizers will evaluate each team submission as one competition entry.
Applicants Who Are Not Eligible
Active World Bank Group staff members, including consultants and interns, are not eligible to participate in the competition.
Hackathon Structure and Participation Requirements
The competition will take place over two days, from October 3 to 4, 2026.
Registered and accepted participants must develop and submit a working Small AI solution during the official competition window.
Participants should select one of the three sector challenges and develop a project that demonstrates practical value in a resource-constrained environment.
The organizers will assess how effectively proposed solutions address development needs and operate within the identified technological and infrastructure limitations.
Applicants must follow the technical instructions and submission requirements published on the Hack-Nation competition platform.
Application Process
Interested candidates must register for the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge through the official Hack-Nation platform.
The competition has two mandatory stages.
Step 1: Register for the Hackathon
Eligible applicants must complete the official Hack-Nation application process by September 26, 2026.
To register:
• Visit the official World Bank Group Summit page.
• Find the Small AI Hackathon Challenge registration section.
• Follow the official Hack-Nation registration link.
• Select the “Request to Join” option.
• Use the referral code WBGSmallAIGADS.
• Complete the required registration details in English.
Each team member must complete an individual registration.
Registration alone does not constitute a competition entry or guarantee eligibility for judging.
Step 2: Develop and Submit the Competition Entry
Registered and accepted participants must develop their Small AI solution during the official Hackathon on October 3–4, 2026.
Participants must submit their competition entry through the designated Hack-Nation submission portal.
The submission must comply with the competition’s technical, originality, team, format, and deadline requirements.
All competition materials must be submitted in English.
Both registration and the competition entry must be completed through the designated official channels.
The organizers will not accept entries submitted through email, social media, direct contact with World Bank Group staff, or other unauthorized methods.
Late, incomplete, or improperly submitted entries will not be considered.
Selection Process
Hack-Nation will evaluate eligible competition entries and prepare a shortlist for the World Bank Group.
The World Bank Group will serve as the final judging authority and select the winning entries.
The organizers will evaluate submissions based on several factors, including:
• Technical merit.
• Relevance to development challenges.
• Design and inclusivity.
• The practical value of the proposed AI solution.
• The ability to address challenges within the stated technological and infrastructure limitations.
Participants are encouraged to demonstrate how their solutions respond to local needs and make AI more accessible in constrained environments.
Winner Selection
Three winning entries will be selected, with one winner from each competition category.
The winning entries will represent Agriculture, Health, and Tourism.
Winning individuals or designated team representatives will be invited to present their solutions at the Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul.
The organizers will determine the presentation format, duration, speaker, and session placement.
Important Dates
The World Bank Group has published the following competition and Summit schedule:
Hackathon Registration Deadline: September 26, 2026
Competition Weekend: October 3–4, 2026
Winner Notifications and Preparation: October 5–6, 2026
Winners’ Travel to Seoul: By October 18, 2026
Global AI and Digital Summit: October 19–22, 2026
Winning Project Presentations: October 21, 2026
Winning participants will present their Small AI solutions during the relevant Summit sessions.
Check: Leading Scholarship 2026 for One Young World Summit in South Africa
Application Deadline
The registration deadline for the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge associated with the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 is:
September 26, 2026
Eligible applicants must complete the official Hack-Nation registration process by this date.
Registered and accepted participants must then develop and submit their competition entries during the official Hackathon on October 3–4, 2026.
Applicants should follow the instructions on the official competition platform to complete both required stages.
Official Link
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
