Inclusive & Secure AI For Everyone (iSAFE) Hackathon 2026
Inclusive & Secure AI For Everyone (iSAFE) Hackathon 2026
Internet Safety & Digital Trust Innovation Challenge
Hackathons at the WSIS Forum have historically served as platforms for innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and applied problem-solving. They complement the multistakeholder discussions of the Forum by engaging the global innovation community to build solutions that contribute to WSIS Action Lines and sustainable development goals.
The iSAFE Hackathon 2026 is a global innovation challenge designed to harness the power of technology and generative artificial intelligence to address emerging threats in online environments, empower digital citizens, and strengthen trust in digital systems.
The hackathon brings together diverse teams from around the world representing all stakeholder types, from students, researchers, innovators, developers, and early-stage entrepreneurs, with the aim of producing proof of concepts and practical, deployable solutions that advance internet safety, digital trust, and the ethical use of AI.
Participants will engage in a structured competition that culminates in virtual presentations and the announcement of winners during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026.
Participation Process
The iSAFE Hackathon is open to individuals and teams (up to 3 members) worldwide. Participants will register, propose solutions, and progress through a shortlisting phase, mentorship period, and final virtual presentations.
Top 20 individuals/teams will be shortlisted for the Finale. Mentors from the UN system, industry, academia, and policy experts will guide finalists to refine their solutions.
Successful teams will present their prototypes to an expert jury during the finalist phase leading up to the WSIS Forum 2026.
DATE
- Launch: 20 Nov 2025
- Registrations: 20 Nov 2025 – 31 March 2026
- Shortlisting Phase: 1 April 2026- 30 April 2026
- Finalists Announcement: 5 May 2026
- Mentorship Session: 10 May 2026
- Virtual Presentations: 10th – 22th May 2026
- Winner Announcement: During WSIS Forum 2026 (6th – 10th July 2026)
FORMAT
Hybrid — Global online build + Finale at New Delhi + Opportunity to Showcase at Bharat Mandapam.
Prizes and Opportunities
US$20,000 worth of prizes for winning teams
Internship opportunities at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Potential incubation support for standout ideas to develop into startups.
Software licences and cloud credits to support continued innovation.
Who can apply and how?
The iSAFE Hackathon calls on creators and developers to form age-diverse teams of 2-3 and participate in the virtual hackathon.
Apply if you…
- …are passionate about technology and innovation for positive and economic/social impact.
- …would like to realize the promises of the information era and advance globally the digital economies by leveraging emerging technologies.
- …are in a team of motivated people and you would like to further develop your idea or an existing project
- …understand and can create solutions that are intrinsically useful and appealing.
Who Should Join
- Students and youth innovators
- Developers and technologists
- Researchers and academics
- Policy thinkers and social entrepreneurs
- Multidisciplinary teams from around the world
All submissions will be evaluated through a fair, transparent process based on relevance, feasibility, impact, and scalability.
A Hacka… what?
A Hackathon is a powerful tool to innovate by bringing together diverse actors who do not usually work together. The format embraces the complexity of challenges, as well as enables the participants to identify practical interventions and approaches to address urgent issues. Moreover, the hackers will be benefiting from the specific know-how and skill sets of experts on the topic.