Welcome to CXC AI Hackathon - 2026 !

Experience CXC in its 5th iteration, featuring a new 36-hour format! Join over 350 like-minded hackers for a busy weekend of creating, learning, networking, and great food!

Requirements

Rules

Teams must consist of 1-4 hackers who have been accepted to CXC AI Hackathon 2026.

All team members must have checked-in at the venue on Friday, February 6th.

All programming or any construction done on the project must occur during the hacking period, which starts at 8:30 PM EST on Friday, and ends 9:00 AM EST on Sunday.

The project must not be submitted to any other hackathons.

Your team must pitch in person to a panel of in-person judges during the designated judging period.

Your project must be AI-related. See below for more information.

AI Requirement

To be eligible for judging and prizes, all projects must include a meaningful artificial intelligence or machine learning component (ie. The project must use AI as a core part of its functionality, not just as a minor add-on or buzzword.)

Acceptable AI implementations include:

- Large Language Model (LLM) applications (e.g., calling ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.)

- HuggingFace models or pipelines (e.g., transformers for text, vision, audio)

- Custom machine learning models built using frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn

- Computer vision, speech, recommendation, or predictive modeling systems

- Agentic workflows or multi-model AI systems

Projects that do not qualify include:

- Apps that only use basic automation, rule-based logic, or traditional algorithms without AI

- Projects where AI is purely cosmetic (e.g., “we called ChatGPT once” with no integration into the product)

- Non-AI software projects that could function essentially the same without the AI component

Judges may disqualify or move projects to a non-prize category if the AI component is not substantial or clearly demonstrated.

IMPORTANT 🚨

You MUST make a draft submission on Devpost by 8pm Saturday in order to be eligible to submit a project.

You are able to submit to an unlimited number of sponsor or MLH prize tracks, but you may only submit to a maximum of two CXC AI Hackathon prize tracks (Best AI for Good, Best Data Visualization, Best Audio Hack, Most Technically Impressive).

A short 2-3 minute video demo is required for all submissions.

Hackers will receive an assigned timeslot and location where they will pitch to judges. Each team will pitch once, and one additional time for each prize track they submit to. MLH judging will take place on a drop in basis (except for the Gemini prize track, which will be done through video). Backboard.io judging will also take place through video

See the hacker guide for more information.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$2,500+ in prizes

+ other prizes

First Place Overall ($250 x 4)

$1,000 in cash

1 winner

$250/person, up to 4 people

Second Place Overall ($125 x 4)

$500 in cash

1 winner

$125/person, up to 4 people

Most Creative Data Visualization

1 winner

16-Inch Magma Lamps

Projects that represent data in a visually appealing way beyond just graphs and tables. A cool and flashy but functional new way to display data and find insights. Any public data is fine (kaggle, official sources, synthetic generation, etc.)

Best Use of AI For Good

1 winner

Mini Portable Projector (Built-In Speaker + Bluetooth)

A "For Good" project is one that primarily leverages the AI in order to improve the quality of life for the environment, the Earth or for humankind.

Best Audio AI Hack

1 winner

Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

An Audio AI hack primarily uses audio input, or generates unique audio output. The project should primarily be working with either videos that have audio or audio itself, and if outputting audio, must require some level of processing.

Most Technically Impressive Hack

1 winner

24.5" Gaming Monitor (200Hz)

Maxxing out the "Wow" factor on the judging criteria!

Backboard.io: The Builder's Draw

$500 in cash

1 winner

Any valid submission built on Backboard.io is automatically entered into a random draw.

Backboard.io: The Founder's Choice

$500 in cash

1 winner

Awarded to the "Top Project" as selected by the Backboard.io founding team.

MLH: Best Use of Gemini API

1 winner

Google Swag Kits

It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project?
- Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice
- Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers
- Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more
Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?

MLH: Best Use of Solana

1 winner

Ledger Nano S Plus

The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.
Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.
- Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.
- Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).
- Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!

MLH: Best Use of ElevenLabs

1 winner

Wireless Earbuds

Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.
Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds!

MLH: Best Use of Snowflake API

1 winner

Arduino Tiny ML Kit

Play with industry-leading LLMs on a single account using the Snowflake APIs. Adding AI capabilities into your application can be as simple as a single CURL command to Snowflake’s REST API.
Build customized applications, RAG powered chat bots, or embed AI-powered features into your app in half the time with half the hassle. Get started for free with a special, student 120-day Snowflake trial and check out their repository for an example of the Snowflake REST API in action.

MLH: Best Use of Auth0

1 winner

Wireless Headphones

Auth0 wants your applications to be secure! Why spend hours building features like social sign-in, Multi-Factor Authentication, and passwordless log-in when you can enable them through Auth0 straight out of the box? You can also secure your AI applications with Auth0 for AI Agents.
Auth0 is free to try, doesn’t require a credit card, and allows for up to 7,000 free active users and unlimited log-ins. Make your new account today and use any of the Auth0 APIs for a chance to win a pair of wireless headphones for you and each member of your team!