IEEE Smart World Challenge - International Research Hackathon

A collaborative design experience within the IEEE Smart World Congress 2026.

The IEEE Smart World Challenge is an international hackathon bringing together 35 selected participants to tackle a research challenge focused on AI for smart cities and next-gen technologies, including digital twins.

Over two days, participants will work in multidisciplinary teams, supported by academics, researchers and experts from the IEEE community, with the goal of transforming a research challenge into a concrete solution.

Why take part

The Smart World Challenge offers the opportunity to experience the IEEE Smart World Congress from an active perspective, contributing to a collaborative design experience that brings together research, technology and expertise from different backgrounds.

Taking part means:

• collaborating in multidisciplinary, international teams;
• working on a research challenge focused on AI for smart cities and next-gen technologies, including digital twins;
• developing a project in a collaborative and experimental environment;
• presenting your solution during the event's final session.

How it works

The IEEE Smart World Challenge opens with the presentation of the challenge and the formation of multidisciplinary teams. From that point on, participants will work collaboratively over two days, supported throughout the event by mentors and experts.

The programme concludes with the presentation of the proposed solutions to an international panel of researchers and professionals.

Who can take part

The IEEE Smart World Challenge is open to 35 selected participants.

Applications are open to:

• researchers;
• PhD students;
• professionals;
• innovators interested in Artificial Intelligence and Smart World technologies.

Applications will be evaluated with the aim of building multidisciplinary teams with complementary skills and interdisciplinary perspectives.

The Challenge

The challenge will focus on AI for Smart Cities and Next-Gen Technologies, including Digital Twins; an area exploring how artificial intelligence can drive smarter, more adaptive and responsive urban systems and services. Participants will be invited to design innovative solutions that explore how AI-driven technologies, including digital twins, can support smarter, more adaptive and intelligent systems in real-world scenarios.

The detailed challenge statement will be presented at the opening of the event.