Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 – World Bank Small AI Hackathon in Seoul

The Global AI & Digital Summit 2026, hosted by the World Bank Group together with the Government of the Republic of Korea, will bring global leaders together in Seoul, South Korea, from October 19–22, 2026 to discuss how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can create jobs, increase productivity, strengthen public services, and expand opportunities in developing economies.

Alongside the Summit, the World Bank Group is organizing the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge, an open opportunity for young innovators aged 18–35 across World Bank member countries. Participants will develop practical AI solutions for challenges in health, agriculture, or tourism during a two-day competition on October 3–4, 2026.

Three winning entries will receive an all-expenses-supported trip to Seoul, where the winners will showcase their solutions at the Global AI & Digital Summit on October 21, 2026.

Quick Facts

• Event: Global AI & Digital Summit 2026
• Host: World Bank Group and Government of the Republic of Korea
• Location: Seoul, South Korea
• Summit Dates: October 19–22, 2026
• Hackathon: Small AI for Development Challenge
• Hackathon Dates: October 3–4, 2026
• Age Eligibility: 18–35
• Eligible Countries: World Bank member countries
• Application Deadline: September 26, 2026
• Competition Areas: Health, Agriculture, Tourism
• Team Size: Individual or teams of up to 4
• Winners: 3, one from each sector
• Winner Opportunity: Fully supported travel to Seoul and presentation at the Global AI & Digital Summit
• Summit Attendance: In-person participation is by invitation only

About the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026

The Global AI & Digital Summit is a high-level international forum focused on the role of AI and digital transformation in economic and social development.

The Summit will examine how countries can use digital technologies to:

• Create more and better jobs
• Increase productivity
• Improve public services
• Expand economic opportunities
• Strengthen digital ecosystems
• Increase access to affordable digital technologies
• Build national AI readiness
• Develop responsible and trustworthy AI

Discussions will cover practical applications across sectors including health, education, agriculture, tourism and government services. The event will bring together policymakers, development organizations, private-sector leaders, investors, researchers, innovators, civil society and youth leaders.

Important: Summit Attendance vs. Hackathon

The Global AI & Digital Summit itself is not an open-registration conference. The World Bank states that in-person attendance is by invitation only, although selected sessions will be available publicly and streamed online.

However, young innovators can participate in the associated Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge.

This provides an open route for eligible participants to develop an AI solution and potentially earn an invitation to present their work at the Summit in Seoul.

What Is the Small AI for Development Hackathon?

The hackathon focuses on developing small, targeted AI solutions that can work in environments where connectivity, computing resources and access to advanced technology may be limited.

Rather than building a general-purpose AI system, participants are encouraged to solve a specific development problem using accessible technologies such as basic devices, sensors, microcontrollers, SMS, voice interfaces or locally running AI models.

The competition is particularly focused on how AI can be adapted to real-world conditions in developing economies.

Hackathon Challenge Areas

Participants must select one of three sectors:

1. Health

Develop an AI solution addressing a specific healthcare or health-service challenge in a constrained environment.

2. Agriculture

Create an AI-powered solution that can help address an agricultural challenge and demonstrate measurable value.

3. Tourism

Develop a practical AI solution that addresses a tourism-related challenge while considering real-world infrastructure and accessibility constraints.

The World Bank emphasizes that submissions will be assessed not only for technical quality but also for development relevance, design and inclusivity.

Who Can Apply?

The Small AI for Development Hackathon is open to:

• Young innovators aged 18–35
• Applicants from World Bank member countries
• Individuals or teams
• Participants interested in AI, technology and development challenges

Applicants from emerging economies are particularly encouraged to participate.

Team Requirements

Applications can be submitted:

• Individually, or
• As a team of up to 4 members

Each team member must register individually, meet the eligibility requirements and be identified as part of the same team before the registration deadline.

An individual may participate in only one competition entry.

Active World Bank Group staff, including consultants and interns, are not eligible.

What Do the Winners Receive?

There will be three winning entries, with one winner selected from each challenge category:

• Agriculture
• Health
• Tourism

The winners will be invited to Seoul, South Korea, to present their AI solutions during the Global AI & Digital Summit.

Winner Benefits

Winners will receive:

• Travel support to Seoul
• Accommodation
• Designated event-related expenses
• Opportunity to attend the Global AI & Digital Summit
• Opportunity to present their solution in a High Impact Talk
• Exposure to governments, investors, companies and international organizations
• Potential facilitated meetings with investors, private-sector representatives, government officials and other Summit participants, subject to availability and mutual interest

For a winning team, one representative will be selected to travel to Seoul on behalf of the team. The World Bank judging panel makes the final determination regarding the representative.

The organizers will provide visa guidance and support to winners, but winners remain responsible for obtaining their visas and associated visa costs.

Global AI & Digital Summit Themes

The Summit will explore the foundations required for inclusive AI and digital transformation, including:

Digital Access and Affordability

Expanding access to digital infrastructure and affordable technology is considered essential for ensuring that AI benefits reach wider populations.

AI Readiness

Countries need the skills, institutions, infrastructure and digital ecosystems required to effectively adopt and scale AI.

AI for Development

The Summit will examine practical applications of AI that can improve outcomes in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education and government services.

Jobs and Productivity

A central focus is how AI and digital technologies can support job creation, productivity and economic opportunity in developing economies.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge is:

September 26, 2026

The competition will take place on:

October 3–4, 2026

The organizers plan to notify winners and conduct preparation activities on October 5–6, with winners traveling to Seoul by October 18. The winning so