HackAIthon, a hackathon for UQ students, presented by the UQ Library and the UQ Sustainable Innovators Club (UQSIC), is happening over the weekend of 13 to 15 March 2026!
Working in teams of 3 to 5 people, you will tackle real-world challenges to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) or address its risks, and compete for fantastic prizes! It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, to get creative and have an impact.
About the hackathon
The hackathon is happening:
- When: from 5pm, Friday 13 March to 5:30pm, Sunday 15 March 2026.
- Where to meet: Purple stairs, Level 1 Central Library, UQ St Lucia.
Check the Event schedule.
This event is open to registered UQ students only.
Hack-pack ticket holders will score HackAIthon merch (tote bag, lanyard, CV-ready certificate, laptop stickers) and food over the weekend (Subway, pizza and more). The first 80 hack-packs sold will also get an exclusive HackAIthon t-shirt.
You will work in teams of 3 to 5 people. You can put your own team together or choose to be assigned to a team for the event.
The challenge
You and your team will develop a solution that addresses one or more challenges across at least one of five themes:
- Strengthen communities
- Educate and empower
- Thrive financially
- Care for earth
- Nurture wellbeing.
There will be eight challenges to explore. Challenges will be released at the start of the event on 13 March 2026. Your solution should be relevant, innovative and impactful.
Read more details about the themes and challenges.
What to expect during the event
During the hackathon, your team will have plenty of time for hacking, working on your idea and refining your solution together.
If you buy a hack-pack ticket, you'll also get exclusive merch and food and healthy snacks to keep you fuelled during the event!
There’ll be:
- workshops on problem solving and creating and publishing web apps.
- a mentoring session for your team with one of our great mentors.
On Sunday, you’ll wrap up your work into a presentation that the judges will review. Prizes will be awarded to close out the weekend!
Check the full event schedule.
The event team
Library staff and volunteers from UQSIC will be providing support during the event.
Event staff will be available:
- Friday 13 March - 4 to 8pm
- Saturday 14 March - 8am to 7pm
- Sunday 15 March - 8:30am to 5pm.
Learn more about UQSIC and what they do.
Submission and judging
You must submit a presentation by 12pm midday on Sunday 15 March 2026.
Judging will take place from 1 to 5pm on Sunday.
Prizes
Winning teams will share prize money of:
- 1st place: $2,500
- 2nd place: $1,500
- 3rd place: $1,000
Plus two bonus prizes of $500 for semi-final judges’ choices.
More information about the prizes.
Interested? Ways to learn more
Attend a pre-hackathon session
There will be several sessions held before the hackathon to attend training and get an insight into the HackAIthon themes.
Attendance at these sessions is highly recommended.
Read more about the pre-hackathon sessions.
Get more HackAIthon details
Visit our HackAIthon page to learn more about the event and how to make the most of it.
Contact us if you have questions
Contact AskUs if you have any questions about HackAIthon.
