Join the IBM SkillsBuild AI Builders Challenge, a global program designed for university students in computer science, engineering, data science, and related fields to build real-world AI solutions using IBM technologies.
Through a series of innovation challenges, hands-on learning labs, and a collaborative community on GitHub and Discord, you’ll gain practical experience, strengthen your technical skills, and showcase your work to a global audience.
Each month, take on a new challenge inspired by real-world industries and global moments, with themes spanning racing, football, space exploration, and extreme weather. Build portfolio-ready projects, gain recognition, and earn the opportunity to showcase your work at IBM stages.
To be eligible to enter the Contest, you must be a legal resident of, and/or be part of an organization registered in: United States of America, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom (England, Ireland, Scotland) and India
Getting Started
To begin building your solution:
Complete the hands-on learning lab available on GitHub to get familiar with the tools and concepts
Join the Discord community to connect with mentors and other participants
Explore IBM technologies and resources available on the challenge platform, create your team, and submit your project
These GitHub-based labs provide guided, practical exercises using IBM and open source technologies, allowing you to experiment, learn, and apply concepts in a real-world context. Whether you’re getting started or looking to deepen your experience, the labs are designed to support your learning and help you build stronger solutions.
The IBM SkillsBuild AI Builders Challenge includes hands-on learning labs designed to help you build the skills needed to succeed in both challenges.
These challenges are designed for university students with a technical background who want to build real-world AI projects using IBM technologies. Open to university students globally across technical fields, including:
Who Should Participate
Developers & Technical Students
Computer Science, Data Science & Engineering Students
Juniors, Seniors & Graduate Students
AI & Data-Focused Students
Team size is 1–5 participants, solo participation is also allowed.
Benefits of Participation
Build real-world AI experience, strengthen your technical skills, and be part of a growing global developer community.
Build
Real-World AI Projects with IBM Technologies
Learn
through Exclusive Hands-On Labs, Live Webinars, and Resources
Join
the growing IBM SkillsBuild Developer Community on Discord
Compete
for a $15,000 Prize Pool Across Two Innovation Challenges
Showcase
your work to IBM, potential employers, and a global audience
Prizes
Join each challenge for the opportunity to compete for a share of the $15,000 total prize pool, including a Grand Prize for the top project across both challenges. Top teams will also gain recognition from IBM and the opportunity to showcase their work.
Each challenge awards:
1st Place
$ 2,250 USD
Runner Up
$ 1,250 USD
Most Innovative
$ 750 USD
Best Use of Technology
$ 750 USD
Grand Prize — $5,000
Awarded to the top project across both challenges based on technical execution, innovation, challenge fit, and real-world impact.
May Innovation Challenge
Car racing is one of the most data-intensive, fast-paced environments in the world, where teams must process massive amounts of information and make critical decisions in real time. Inspired by the excitement of the F1 Grand Prix, this challenge invites you to apply AI improve how teams, drivers, or fans experience racing before, during, or after the race.
Your solution can focus on areas such as decision support, analytics, copilots, perception, or fan engagement, but it must use AI as a core component along with at least one of the required technologies. Whether you are helping teams make better race-day decisions, turning complex telemetry into clear insights, or creating more engaging and understandable experiences for fans, your goal is to demonstrate how AI can drive smarter decisions, improve understanding, and build trust through explainability.
Building Your Solution & Examples
To build your solution, you must use at least one of the following technologies:
IBM Granite
Docling
Langflow
Context Forge
You can approach this challenge from multiple angles across the racing ecosystem. Consider building a solution in one of the following areas, or explore your own idea that aligns with the challenge:
AI Analytics: Telemetry analysis, lap performance insights, driver comparison tools
AI Copilot / Assistant: Real-time feedback systems, race engineer assistants
AI Perception & Vision: Track analysis, hazard detection, competitor modeling
Fan Experience: AI commentary, race explainers, interactive tools
May Learning Lab: Build an Autonomous AI Driver
As part of the May Challenge, you’ll have access to a hands-on learning lab designed to help you get started. Get hands-on with a racing simulator and learn how AI systems make real-time decisions. Starting from a baseline driver, experiment with decision logic and improve performance while building skills you can apply directly to your challenge solution.
Use of at least one IBM AI-supported technology (e.g., Granite, LangFlow, Docling, or related tools)
A public GitHub repository& a functioning prototype or proof of concept
All project submissions must be completed and submitted through the challenge platform. Submissions will be evaluated based on technical execution, innovation, challenge fit, and real-world impact.
To complete each challenge, your team must provide:
3.
4.
A clear README that includes:
The problem you are solving
Your AI/technical approach
Why your solution matters in the context of racing
Submission on the challenge platform, including:
Project and team member details
Link to your GitHub repository
A solution presentation video
Sponsored by
IBM SkillsBuild is a trademark or registered trademark of IBM Corp., in the US or other countries or both.
Organized by
BeMyApp is the official organizer of the IBM SkillsBuild AI Builders Challenge, overseeing participant experience, platform management, and challenge execution.
