Skip to content

GDG AI HACK 2026

2026

2026

2026

Build with AI

Apply

Apply

May 8 - 10

Milan

Milan

Welcome drinks on May 8

Welcome drinks on May 8

THE STORY SO FAR

THE STORY SO FAR

THE STORY SO FAR

We satisfyingly ruined it for everyone.

Three years ago, no student community in Italy was running a real hackathon — and the few in Europe weren’t exactly setting the world on fire.

So we did it ourselves.

What started as a slightly ambitious idea turned into something nobody expected: teams that kept building long after the event, collaborations with sponsors that actually went somewhere, and a few participants who went on to launch startups — one of which just raised a couple million. No big deal.

Turns out, when you set the bar, everyone suddenly discovers they wanted to do hackathons too. Startups started hosting their own, other communities followed, and just like that — a full-blown Hackathon Fever.

We kept raising the bar every year, and here we are again: bigger sponsors, bigger prizes, bigger challenges. But the core hasn’t changed — community, connections, and most importantly, having fun.

That’s what GDG AI HACK is.

Turns out, when you set the bar, everyone suddenly discovers they wanted to do hackathons too. Startups started hosting their own, other communities followed, and just like that — a full-blown Hackathon Fever.

We kept raising the bar every year, and here we are again: bigger sponsors, bigger prizes, bigger challenges. But the core hasn’t changed — community, connections, and most importantly, having fun.

That’s what GDG AI HACK is.

Event venue sculpture in Milan
Event venue sculpture in Milan

GDG AI HACK?

GDG AI HACK?

GDG AI HACK?

What to expect

What to expect

GDG's hackathon dedicated to AI and developers: a weekend of building, breaking, and shipping with real teams, real mentors, and prizes worth losing sleep over.

Learn Different

TRACK A

Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.

Learn Different

TRACK A

Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.

Learn Different

TRACK A

Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.

See Beyond

TRACK B

Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.

See Beyond

TRACK B

Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.

See Beyond

TRACK B

Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.

Cut the Cord

APPLY

Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.

Cut the Cord

APPLY

Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.

Cut the Cord

APPLY

Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.

Useful materials for hackathon participants

Want to join us?

Apply

Useful materials for hackathon participants

Want to join us?

Apply

Useful materials for hackathon participants

Want to join us?

Apply

PRIZE POOL

PRIZE POOL

PRIZE POOL

Prizes

Prizes

The real prize is what you build. But we're not going to pretend these don't help.

MSIStealth 16 AI+

16″ QHD+ 240Hz OLED ultrabook

S-TIER
LuxonisOAK-4 D PRO

Standalone spatial AI camera with 52 TOPS

A-TIER
CorsairTC100 RELAXED

Ergonomic gaming chair

B-TIER
Corsair / ElgatoCreator & Gaming Bundle

K70 Core TKL + Sabre V2 Pro + Wave Neo + Stream Deck Neo

A-TIER
M5StackIoT & Edge AI Kit

Core2 v1.1 + AtomS3R-CAM + 6 sensor modules

C-TIER

POWERED BY INNOVATORS

Our SUPPORTERS

GDG AI HACK 2026 is made possible by industry leaders and innovative companies committed to fostering the next generation of AI talent.

Sponsors

Platinum MSI
Platinum Braynr
Platinum Luxonis
Platinum Google
Silver GitHub
Silver Corsair
Silver Elgato
Silver ENHANCE

Community Partners

MAY 8-10, 2026

Agenda

GDG AI HACK

Selection

Mar 2

  • Applications Open — Submit your application to join GDG AI HACK 2026.

  • Applications Close — Last chance to submit your application.

  • Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. You’ll know no later than end of April.

GDG AI HACK

May 8

  • Networking & Welcome — Welcome drinks, meet your fellow hackers, and set the stage.

  • Kickoff & Hacking — Challenge reveal, teams lock in, and the building starts.

  • Submissions & Awards — Final demos, judging, and the awards ceremony.

May 9

May 10

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Selection

Selection

Yes, we're selective. Not to gatekeep — but because the best things happen when everyone in the room actually wants to build.

Spots

about 160

Team

of up to 4 people

Applications

You can apply solo or already as a team (just specify the team name in your application)

Flying solo?

If you apply solo and get selected, we'll help you form a team before the event

A gradient image transitioning from dark black to light gray tones.
A gradient image transitioning from dark black to light gray tones.
A gradient image transitioning from dark black to light gray tones.

See you at GDG AI HACK?

Apply

Apply

Apply

Useful Materials

Useful Materials

AI Studio track illustration
AI Studio track illustration
AI Studio track illustration

Google AI Studio

Link

Link

Link

Antigravity track illustration
Antigravity track illustration
Antigravity track illustration

Google Antigravity

Link

Link

Link

Cloud track illustration
Cloud track illustration
Cloud track illustration

Google Cloud

Link

Link

Link

FAQ

FAQ

FAQ

FAQ

FAQ

Murphy's Law is a humorous saying that states: "If something can go wrong, it will". Better to come prepared for anything!

Can we know the challenge beforehand?

No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.

Can I participate even if I don't have a team?

Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.

Is a pre-existing project required?

No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.

How many spots are there?

160 (40 teams)

Do I need to bring anything specific?

Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps. Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.

Is there anything before the hackathon?

Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.

How are the results communicated?

We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).

Are meals included?

Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.

Can we know the challenge beforehand?

No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.

Can I participate even if I don't have a team?

Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.

Is a pre-existing project required?

No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.

How many spots are there?

160 (40 teams)

Do I need to bring anything specific?

Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps. Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.

Is there anything before the hackathon?

Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.

How are the results communicated?

We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).

Are meals included?

Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.

Can we know the challenge beforehand?

No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.

Can I participate even if I don't have a team?

Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.

Is a pre-existing project required?

No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.

How many spots are there?

160 (40 teams)

Do I need to bring anything specific?

Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps. Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.

Is there anything before the hackathon?

Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.

How are the results communicated?

We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).

Are meals included?

Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.

GDG AI HACK logo

See You in May

Sounds like your kind of thing? Apply.

GDG AI HACK logo

See You in May

Sounds like your kind of thing? Apply.

GDG AI HACK logo

See You in May

Sounds like your kind of thing? Apply.