KEY DATES
Register by Feb 6 | Submit by Mar 1 | Present Mar 12
Solve Real Problems.
Build the Future.
Win Big.
AI is for Everyone. What Will you build?
The First State AI Institute invites the entire UD community to the inaugural Ignite AI Challenge. Identify a real-world problem and solve it using artificial intelligence.
NO COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE? NO PROBLEM.
We’re looking for creative problem-solvers from every discipline. Whether you use existing tools like ChatGPT or Claude, or build custom models, we want to see your ideas in action. From the arts and policy to robotics and finance—if it solves a problem, it belongs here.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Cash Prizes: Win cash prizes for your ideas: multiple award categories will win.
The Main Stage: Winning teams present at the DARWIN Symposium (March 12), UD’s premier research computing event.
VIP Access: Network with industry executives and faculty leaders at the exclusive Symposium reception.
Build Your Portfolio: Move from concept to prototype. Gain tangible experience to show future employers and collaborators.
AI APPLIES TO EVERY FIELD. HERE’S WHAT YOU COULD TACKLE (and more):
ARTS AND HUMANITIES:
AI-curated documentaries, generative art, or historical archive analysis.
BUSINESS AND POLICY:
Fraud detection, urban planning simulations, or civic engagement platforms.
EDUCATION:
Adaptive tutoring systems, FAFSA navigation tools, or classroom accessibility solutions.
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT:
Mental health screening, biodiversity monitoring, or crop yield prediction.
ENGINEERING AND SECURITY:
Robotics, drone navigation, predictive maintenance, or cybersecurity threat detection.
WHO CAN ENTER
Open to the entire UD community:
Undergraduate and Graduate students of all majors and programs
Faculty and Staff of all departments
TEAM RULES
SIZE: Solo participants welcome, but teams are strongly encouraged
COMPOSITION: We strongly encourage interdisciplinary teams (e.g., an artist + an engineer)
HOW TO ENTER
Phase 1: Registration (Due Feb 6)
Team Details: Names affiliations, and a designated team lead
The Problem (~200 words): What problem are you solving and why does it matter?
The Approach (~200 words): How will you apply AI? What tools or methods do you anticipate using?
Phase 2: Final Submission - 2 Pages (Due Mar 1)
Submit your completed project:
Project Summary: Problem, approach, results, and tools used (e.g., PyTorch, ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, cloud platforms).
Methodology: Dataset sources, references, and a record of key prompts for generative AI projects. Include a GitHub link or code archive if applicable.
Demo Access: A working demo, video walkthrough, or live URL for judges to evaluate your work.
RESOURCES
We’re here to help you succeed. Registered teams will have access to:
Mentorship: Office hours with FSAII experts and faculty advisors.
TIMELINE
| Date | Milestone |
| December 9 | Registration Opens |
| February 6 | Team Enrollment Deadline |
| March 1 | Final Submission Due |
| March 2-10 | Judging Period |
| March 12 | Winners Announced and Present at DARWIN Symposium |
JUDGING CRITERIA
| Criterion | Weight | What We Look For |
| Innovation | 25% | Is the idea novel or a creative application of AI? |
| Feasibility | 25% | Is the solution pactical and achievable? |
| Impact | 25% | Does it solve a meaningful real-world problem? |
| Execution | 15% | Quality of implementation and deliverables |
| Presentation | 10% | Clarity of communication and demo |
Judges also consider ethical data use, reproducibility, and potential for future development
FAQ
GENERAL
Do I need to know how to code?
No. We value domain expertise, design thinking, and ethical analysis just as much as technical skills. You can use no-code platforms and tools like ChatGPT or Claude. Or if you’re not technical, consider teaming up with someone who is.
What counts as "AI"?
We define it broadly. You can use existing tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion), pre-trained models, APIs, or build custom solutions. Prompt engineering counts. What matters is that AI plays a meaningful role in solving your problem.
Can I submit a project I've already started?
Yes, but you must disclose prior work in your submission.
SUBMISSIONS
What format should the project summary be in?
PDF preferred. Use reasonable margins and readable fonts.
What's a "record of key prompts"?
If you used generative AI tools, keep a log of the significant prompts that shaped your results. This helps judges understand your methodology. You don’t need to record every prompt—focus on the ones that drove key outcomes.
What if my project involves hardware?
Provide documentation, photos, and a video demonstration. We’ll coordinate hands-on access with judges if needed.
Does my code need to be public?
All submissions must be released under an open-source license (such as MIT, Apache 2.0, or Creative Commons)
TEAMS & ELIGIBILITY
Can I participate alone?
Yes, but teams often produce stronger, more multi-faceted projects.
Is there a maximum team size?
No maximum. Use your judgment—larger teams bring more skills but require more coordination.
Can teams span departments or colleges?
Absolutely. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.
Do we need a faculty advisor?
Nope. But you could recruit a faculty member onto your team, if you wanted.
Can I change my team or idea after registering?
Yes. You can refine your project and adjust team members after registration.
JUDGING & PRIZES
Who are the judges?
A panel of FSAII faculty, industry partners, and domain experts. Names will be announced closer to the submission deadline.
How much are the cash prizes?
Prize amounts will be announced as sponsorships are confirmed. Multiple award tiers are planned
Will there be category-specific prizes?
Yes, there will be multiple awards to reflect excellence in various disciplines.
Who owns the intellectual property?
You retain ownership of your work. However, all submissions must be released under an open-source license (such as MIT, Apache 2.0, or Creative Commons) so the community can learn from and build upon what’s created. If open-sourcing isn’t feasible for your project, contact us before registering to discuss options.
Will my submission be made public?
Winning projects will be showcased at the DARWIN Symposium and in FSAII communications. Non-winning submissions are not published without permission.
QUESTIONS?
Email us at: 1st-state-ai-institute@udel.edu
