2nd International Competition on
AI in Education 2026
Important Dates
The following outlines the competition procedure, including key dates and supplementary details to guide participants through each stage of the event.
o The official event page will be launched, providing comprehensive details about the competition, including eligibility, key dates, judging criteria, and submission guidelines.
o A call for entries will be issued, inviting individuals and teams to submit innovative generative AI projects for educational use.
o Promotional materials and announcements will be distributed via newsletters and social media to reach a broad audience and encourage participation.
o Participants can access the competition portal to review the rules, prepare the required documentation, and begin the account registration process.
o Participants may begin submitting their entries via the official competition portal.
o All submissions must adhere to the provided guidelines and formats.
o Early entries are encouraged to allow ample time for review and possible revisions.
o Each submission will require a registration fee of HK$300.
o Participants are required to complete payment at the time of submission; otherwise, their entry will not be accepted.
o All entries must be submitted by this date.
o Late submissions will not be accepted.
o Participants are advised to double-check all required documents and materials before finalising their entries.
* Submissions from the Gulf countries: 23:59, 05 April 2026, UTC+8
* Submissions from other countries and regions: 23:59, 26 April 2026, UTC+8
o Shortlisted individuals and teams were invited to participate in the preliminary pitch organised by UQU.
(5) Announcement of Screening Results and Shortlists for General-Round Preliminary Pitch (11 May 2026)
o The shortlisted candidates will be notified and announced on the competition website.
o These individuals will then be invited to submit a refined final version of their entry.
o Feedback from the preliminary review may be provided to assist shortlists in the preliminary pitch with improvements.
o General-round screening results have been announced on 14 May 2026 (Thur) via email to the contact person.
(6) General-Round Preliminary Pitch (18-19 May 2026)
o Preliminary pitch (online via Zoom) organised among different regions to nominate finalists to participate in the final pitch.
o Date: 18-20 May 2026 (Monday-Wednesday)
o Mode: Online via Zoom
*** Click to redirect to view the Requirements of General-Round Preliminary Pitch. ***
(7) Deadline of Finalised Entry Submission (10 July 2026)
o Finalists must submit their final entries by this deadline.
o Submissions should address any feedback from the initial round and demonstrate further development of their ideas or projects.
(8) Final Pitch Day and Award Presentation Ceremony (15 July 2026)
o Finalists will present their entries to a panel of judges in person during Pitch Day at the EdUHK New Academic Building.
o The award presentation ceremony will follow, during which winners will be announced and prizes distributed.
o Date: 15 July 2026 (Wednesday)
o Mode: On-Site Mode
o Venue: New Academic Building, Block N, Tai Po Campus, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
(Requirements and Detailed Arrangement will be announced by 28 May 2026)
Throughout the competition, participants may contact the organising committee via email (airea@eduhk.hk) for clarification or support regarding submission procedures, eligibility, and event logistics. Further updates and details will be communicated via email and posted on the official competition website.
Streams
All streams are open to both individuals and teams. Each team can have up to 5 teammates. The competition will also feature different categories based on participant affiliations.
Use of GenAl Tools
The Stream 1 “Use of GenAI Tools” focuses on the practical and ethical integration of generative AI into existing educational ecosystems. We invite projects that develop innovative frameworks, curricula, and teaching methods that leverage AI to improve learning outcomes. Submissions should demonstrate how to apply AI tools within learning platforms and pedagogical strategies to create more engaging, efficient, and equitable educational experiences.
Development of Tailored Al Agents
The Stream 2 “Development of Tailored AI Agents” expects participants to design and build novel AI applications that serve as personalised, proactive learning companions for recognised learning scenarios and needs. The focus is on creating “agentic” systems that autonomously guide students and “tailored” tools that adapt deeply to individual needs. Key areas include developing AI-powered tutors, dynamic assessment tools that provide instant feedback, and systems that deliver actionable insights to both educators and learners while upholding academic integrity.
Application of Embodied Al
The Stream 3 “Application of Embodied AI” explores the future of education beyond the screen by integrating AI with the physical world. We seek projects that use embodied AI, robotics, and spatial computing (AR/VR) to create immersive, hands-on learning designs and experiences. The goal is to develop intelligent systems that interact with students in real-world scenarios, transforming physical spaces into dynamic, responsive learning environments.
Background
The Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance (AIREA) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) will host and present the 2nd International Competition on Artificial Intelligence in Education 2026 (“The Competition”), designed to revolutionise the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The Competition fosters collaboration among students, educators, learners, researchers, and industry professionals, advancing AI in education and paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and responsible global educational ecosystem.
Objectives
The Competition targets a diverse audience who are interested in AI and education. This competition aims to promote AI in education, enhance participants’ awareness and interests in AI, enable participants to apply their knowledge and skills in AI and computational thinking to solve problems, enhance creativity, innovation and coding techniques, stimulate research inspiration as well as encourage collaboration. All participants can communicate and exchange thoughts and insights, gain more knowledge and inspiration by viewing works/products from other participants/ teams.
• Promote Innovation and Creativity: Encourage the development of innovative AI-driven solutions that enhance teaching, learning, and assessment methods, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking among participants.
• Advance Educational Transformation: Leverage AI technologies to make education more accessible, personalised, engaging, and effective, supporting the integration of AI tools into curricula, pedagogies, and learning environments.
• Stimulate Research and Practical Applications: Promote research and practical application of AI in education, including content generation, learner engagement, assessment, and feedback systems, to advance the field and improve educational outcomes.
• Encourage Ethical and Responsible AI Use: Advocate for the ethical deployment of AI technologies in education, emphasising fairness, privacy, inclusivity, and responsible practices to ensure equitable access and benefit for all learners.
• Support Skill Development and Capacity Building: Provide a platform for participants to develop, showcase, and enhance their skills in AI and education, fostering talent, AI literacy, and the integration of AI tools in educational settings.
• Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Promote international and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to share insights, best practices, and foster a global community dedicated to advancing AI in education.
Topics
(1) Personalised and Adaptive Learning with Generative AI:
Developing generative AI-assisted tools for personalised learning and adaptive feedback.
(2) Generative AI-enhanced Learning Analytics:
Developing generative AI-powered tools to enhance learning analytics and deliver actionable insights for educators and administrators.
(3) Using Generative AI Tools to Support Special Educational Needs:
Designing generative AI-powered tools to assist students with special educational needs.
(4) Engagement and Motivation Analysis in Generative AI-assisted Learning:
Developing generative AI applications to analyse and enhance student motivation and engagement in learning activities.
(5) Generative AI-empowered Collaborative Learning:
Developing generative AI-based tools and platforms that facilitate and enhance collaborative learning. These tools should leverage generative AI to foster meaningful interactions, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote teamwork.
(6) Effective Integration of Generative AI Tools in Pedagogies:
Developing frameworks, models, and standards for integrating generative AI tools into existing learning tools, teaching methods, curricula, and online learning platforms.
(7) Reliable and Relevant Generative AI Application in Education:
Developing methods and solutions to deploy generative AI in teaching and learning scenarios, and to improve the quality, accuracy, reliability and relevance of Generative AI Tools.
(8) Innovating Assessments in the Era of Generative AI:
Designing new assessment techniques and tools that leverage generative AI and AI literacy while maintaining academic integrity.
(9) Generative AI-assisted Learning Content Design:
Developing tools and techniques to create engaging and effective learning content using generative AI.
(10) Ethical, Fairness, Privacy, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Aspects of Generative AI in Education:
Developing solutions to ensure the responsible and equitable use of Generative AI in educational settings.
(11) Education for Citizenship and Sustainable Development:
Designing strategies that optimise the synergy between educators, learners, and AI, fostering co-creation, adaptive support, and shared decision-making to enrich the educational experience.
(12) Spatial and Embodied Intelligence in Education:
Exploring innovative approaches and frameworks to integrate spatial and embodied intelligence into educational environments, such as the metaverse and robotics, and developing tools and pedagogies that support movement-based, multisensory, and immersive experiences, fostering deeper engagement and understanding across diverse disciplines.
Procedures
(1) Account Registration:
All interested participants are required to register an account on the AIREA website to ensure secure access to the competition portal and enable tracking of individual or team submissions.
(2) Entry Submission:
Once registered, participants must complete and submit an electronic form (e-form) available on the competition portal to comprehensively introduce the project. Participants should also upload relevant project demonstrations, such as videos, prototypes, or supporting documentation, to showcase the innovation and impact of their work.
(3) Payment Process:
Each entry submission is subject to a registration fee of HK$300, payable online via the competition portal. Entries without payment will not be processed.
(4) Selection of Shortlists:
After the submission deadline, a judging panel comprising experts in education will evaluate entries based on the criteria (please refer to the following section). The panel will review the submitted materials, assess project quality and relevance, and shortlist outstanding submissions for the next stage.
(5) Regional Preliminary Selection Pitch:
Shortlisted participants will be notified via email and through the competition portal. Shortlisted teams or individuals will be required to present their projects in a preliminary selection pitch. This may be conducted face-to-face, in a hybrid format, or online, accommodating participants’ locations and regional co-organisers’ arrangements. The judging panel will assess the presentations and announce the finalists based on delivery, innovation, and potential impact.
(6) Finalised Entry Submission:
They will then be invited to submit final artefacts or supplementary materials to ensure their projects are fully represented for the subsequent evaluation round.
(7) Final Pitch and Award Ceremony:
Finalists will receive invitations to participate in the final pitch and award presentation ceremony, held in Hong Kong. This culminating event offers finalists an opportunity to showcase their work to a broader audience, engage with peers and experts, and celebrate outstanding achievements in generative AI for education.
Judging Criteria
- Problem Identification and Relevance in Education
- Feasibility and Functionality
- Social Impact and Responsibility
- Innovation and Creativity
- Scalability and Sustainability
Awards and Prizes
Every participant in the competition will receive an e-Certificate of Participation. Every shortlisted entry eligible to participate in the preliminary pitch will receive an e-Certificate of Shortlisting. Finalists will be nominated from the preliminary pitch. Notably, all finalists are guaranteed an award if they (at least one representative) attend the Final Pitch and Awards Presentation Ceremony.
Three streams will crown winners in the following titles: (1) Champion, (2) First Runner-Up, (3) Second Runner-Up, (4) Merit, (5) Innovative Problem Discovery Award, (6) Outstanding Innovation and Creativity Award, (7) Excellence in Educational Impact Award, and (8) Best Pitching Award.
Prizes for the competition will be sponsored by industrial co-organisers. Details will be announced in due course of the final pitch.
Entry Submission
(or click the link: https://eduhk.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8p2O1He3uBmgp3U)
The submission link will close at the entry submission deadline.
Submissions from the Gulf countries: 23:59, 05 April 2026, UTC+8
Submissions from other countries and regions: 23:59, 26 April 2026, UTC+8
The entry submission is closed.
Emails have been sent to the contact person of the eligible entries to participate in the general-round screening or the preliminary pitch.
Thank you very much for your support.
Gulf Countries' Regional Screening and Preliminary Pitch
(Completed)
The review of submissions was conducted by the regional co-organiser, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU). Shortlisted individuals and teams were invited to participate in the preliminary pitch organised by UQU. For details, please visit the local competition webpage provided by UQU:
(or visit https://uqu.edu.sa/vpbdcp/153171)
Shortlisted Entries from Screening
The general-round screening of submissions will be conducted by AIREA.
The shortlisting results will be announced by 14 May 2026 (Thur).
Requirements of General-Round Preliminary Pitch
Shortlisted individuals and teams from the general-round screening will participate in the preliminary pitch online via Zoom from 18 – 19 May 2026 (Mon – Tue). To ensure a fair and efficient selection process, all participants must follow these requirements during the online sessions.
1. Timing and Session Structure
Each individual or team is allocated exactly 15 minutes, divided as follows:
- · Presentation (10 minutes): A brief introduction of your project.
- · Q&A (5 minutes): A discussion with the judging panel.
Important: When the 10-minute presentation time is up, the MC will ask you to stop. You must stop immediately so the Q&A can begin. You are not allowed to use the Q&A time to finish your presentation.
2. Zoom Entry and Attendance
- · Rename Your Account: You must change your Zoom display name before joining the meeting. Use the format: [ID] Real Name (e.g., [S1-3300] Andy Chan).
- · Waiting Room: Join the Zoom link at the start of your assigned session. You must wait in the Waiting Room until the host admits you. Please note that entry times may be slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- · Authorised Entry: Only registered team members listed in the official entry record are allowed to enter the Zoom room. Guests or unregistered visitors will be denied entry.
- · Prompt Departure: Once your Q&A session ends, please leave the Zoom room to allow the next group to enter.
3. Zoom Entry and Attendance
- · Device Readiness: Before joining, check your Zoom settings to ensure your microphone, camera, and screen-sharing permissions are enabled.
- · Screen Sharing: You are responsible for sharing your own slides or videos using the “Share Screen” button. The organisers will not provide technical assistance for playing your files.
- · Visual Clarity: You must find a quiet place with good lighting so the judges can see and hear you clearly.
4. Eligibility Rules
- · Live Presentation: All presentations must be delivered in person by the registered participants.
- · Webcam Policy: Your webcam must be turned on, and your face must be clearly visible throughout the entire 15-minute session.
- · No AI-generated or Pre-recorded Videos: Using pre-recorded videos, digital humans, or AI-generated avatars/videos to present on your behalf is strictly prohibited.
Note: Failure to present live with your webcam on will make your entry ineligible for Final Pitch.
Requirements of General-Round Preliminary Pitch
The regional finalisted submissions will be be announced by the end of May 2026.
Finalisted Entries from Preliminary Pitches
The regional finalisted submissions will be be announced by the end of May 2026.