AI Builders Challenge with IBM BobWelcome to the AI Builders Challenge with IBM Bob, sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild and organized by BeMyApp. This global program is designed for college and university students* to build real-world AI solutions, develop in-demand technical skills, and showcase their work to a global audience.Build through monthly hackathon challenges and hands-on labs, compete for a share of the $15,000 USD prize pool, and connect with a collaborative developer community on GitHub and Discord. Earn certificates by completing IBM Bob-related courses on IBM SkillsBuild while gaining practical experience with the latest IBM AI technologies and building projects that strengthen your technical portfolio and help you stand out as a next-generation AI innovator. After building during the July and August challenges, come learn with us at the AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob — a one-day virtual conference taking place on Wednesday, September 16th. Hear from IBM experts and join technical sessions, live demonstrations, and discussions designed to help you learn new AI skills, explore what's possible with IBM Bob, and connect with fellow builders.Agenda and additional information about the AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob to be announced soon!To be eligible to enter the Challenge, you must be as student at least 18 years of age enrolled at an institution of higher education and be eligible in accordance with the <a href="https://eligibility.bemyapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BeMyApp Eligibility Policy</a> and the <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/ideation/image/upload/q_100,f_pdf,dpr_auto/id-ibm-skillsbuil-3eec69/pkqvg8j3q3a4teedy1kd.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Official Rules</a>*Including students at universities, colleges, community colleges, technical or vocational schools and institutes of technology.<hr style="text-align: left;">HOW IT WORKSWhether you're looking to expand your AI knowledge or create a real-world project, the AI Builders Challenge offers multiple ways to participate.<table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 50%; background-color: rgb(232, 219, 255);" class="fr-thick">Build Real-World AI Challenge Solutions with IBM Bob</td><td style="width: 50%; background-color: rgb(232, 219, 255);" class="fr-thick">Learn with IBM SkillsBuild & the Virtual Conference</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: top;" class="fr-thick"><div style="text-align: left;">Participate in monthly student hackathon challenges and challenge-themed GitHub Learning Labs to gain hands-on experience with IBM Bob while building portfolio-ready AI projects. Along with submitting a project, each team member must complete at least one IBM SkillsBuild IBM Bob learning activity as part of the challenge requirements. Gain practical experience applying AI to real-world opportunities, develop in-demand technical skills, and showcase your work to a global audience.</div></td><td style="width: 50%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; vertical-align: top;" class="fr-thick"><div style="text-align: left;">Expand your AI knowledge through free IBM SkillsBuild learning experiences, webinars, educational resources, and the AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob. Earn certificates, learn from IBM experts and developers, and explore AI-assisted development through technical sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on learning designed to help you build with IBM Bob and the latest IBM AI technologies.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://aibuilderschallenge-bobhub.bemyapp.com/#/sponsors/">Learn More Here →</a><hr style="text-align: left;">MONTHLY CHALLENGE COMPETITION THEMESParticipate in monthly AI hackathon competitions and use IBM Bob to build innovative AI-powered solutions inspired by real-world opportunities. Compete for your share of the $15,000 USD prize pool by submitting one project per month to either the monthly themed challenge or the Wildcard Challenge.<table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100.0000%;">1. July Challenge Theme -  Reimagine Creative Industries with AIAI is transforming how people create content, tell stories, design experiences, and bring ideas to life. Build solutions that help creators work smarter, explore new forms of expression, and unlock new creative possibilities.<a href="https://aibuilderschallenge-bobhub.bemyapp.com/#/sponsors/1-july-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn More About the July Challenge →</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100.0000%;">2. August Challenge Theme - Advance Space Exploration with AISpace exploration operates in some of the most complex and high-stakes environments, where decisions must be precise, data-rich, and often made with limited time and resources. Build solutions that help transform space exploration from data-heavy to insight-driven systems, enabling smarter missions and making space more accessible. Full challenge details and resources will be available closer to the August 1 challenge kickoff. <a href="https://aibuilderschallenge-bobhub.bemyapp.com/#/sponsors/3-wildcard-challenge-july-or-august" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn More About the August Challenge →</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100.0000%;">+ Wildcard Challenge - Build Intelligent Systems for the Future of WorkAvailable during both the July and August challenge competitions, the Wildcard Challenge is an alternative submission option if your project doesn't fit either monthly challenge theme. Projects must still align with the Wildcard Challenge statement and requirements. Each team may submit one project per month to either the monthly themed challenge or the Wildcard Challenge.AI is evolving from a productivity tool into a true collaborator that can help people plan, coordinate, decide, and execute work more effectively. Build solutions that help individuals, teams, and organizations achieve better outcomes through intelligent automation and decision support.Important: Teams may only submit to the Wildcard Challenge once. If you submit a Wildcard project in July, you cannot submit another Wildcard project in August.<a href="https://aibuilderschallenge-bobhub.bemyapp.com/#/sponsors/3-wildcard-challenge-july-or-august" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn More About the Wildcard Challenge →</a></td></tr></tbody></table><hr style="text-align: left;">PRIZESCompete for your share of the $15,000 USD total prize pool, including a $5,000 USD Grand Prize awarded to the top project across both monthly challenge competitions. Four winners will be selected for each of the monthly competitions, winning prizes ranging from $750 USD to $2,250 USD.Monthly Challenge Awards<ul data-spread="false"><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">1st Place: $2,250 USD</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Runner Up: $1,250 USD</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Most Innovative: $750 USD</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;">Best Use of Technology: $750 USD</li></ul>Participants may compete individually or in teams of up to five by submitting a completed project on the challenge platform, including all required submission materials. Winners will be selected by a panel of IBM and industry judges based on Technical Execution, Innovation, Challenge Fit, Feasibility, and Real-World Impact.The monthly challenge competitions launch on July 1 and August 1, with submissions due by July 31 and August 31 at 11:59 PM ET. No purchase necessary to enter or win.<hr style="text-align: left;">JUDGING CRITERIAWinners will be selected by a panel of judges who will evaluate submissions based on:<ol><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Technical Execution: Quality of implementation and effective use of AI and IBM technologies.</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Innovation: Creativity, originality, and uniqueness of the solution.</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Challenge Fit:  Alignment with the selected challenge theme and objectives.</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Feasibility: Practicality and potential for real-world implementation.</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Real-World Impact: Ability to create meaningful value and address real-world needs.</li></ol>