AI Hackfest
Major League Hacking
📌 About the Event
AI Hackfest is a high energy, sprint focused on building “smarter” technology. From automating mundane daily tasks to creating complex decision-making engines for robotics or space tech, this hackathon challenges you to push the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence. Whether you are a seasoned ML engineer or a beginner following your first tutorial, the focus is on experimentation, learning, and most importantly having fun.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Category: Hackathons national and international, AI & Machine Learning
- Organizer: Major League Hacking (MLH)
- Eligibility: Minors (13–18), University Students, and Working Professionals
- Open To: Global (Fully virtual)
- Team Size: Individual or Group (up to 4 recommended)
- Effort Level: High (48-hour sprint)
- Submission Type: Functional AI prototype and a Demo Video
📅 Important Dates
- Start Time: Friday, 17th April 2026 @ 11:00 AM EDT
- End Time: Sunday, 19th April 2026 @ 1:00 PM EDT
- Mode: Online (Hosted via Discord and Twitch)
🏆 Recognition and Swag
- MLH Digital Badges: Earned for submitting a valid project.
- Category Prizes: Specific prizes for the “Best Use of AI” and other partner-sponsored tracks (revealed at opening).
- Community Spotlight: Top hacks are featured on the MLH homepage and social media.
- Skill Advancement: Direct application of AI/ML concepts in a portfolio-ready project.
🎯 What You Will Do
- Conceptualize: Identify a process that could be improved by “thinking” or “autonomous decision-making.”
- Build: Integrate AI APIs (like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Hugging Face) or train your own lightweight models.
- Iterate: Use the 48 hour window to move from a basic script to a functioning application.
- Connect: Participate in live “mini events” and networking sessions on Discord during coding breaks.
📦 Resources for Beginners
- Tutorials: MLH recommends watching the Global Hack Week: AI/ML archives to get comfortable with Python, TensorFlow, or PyTorch before the event starts.
- Starter Kits: Access to boilerplate code and AI templates provided during the opening ceremony.
- Mentorship: 24/7 technical support from MLH mentors on the community Discord server.