Presented with Microsoft Inc
Spectrum Networks Hackathon
Agentic AI for Good
Registration closes in 22 days
- Format
- Hybrid · Spectrum HQ Dubai
- Dates
- 15 Aug 2026 → 5 Sept 2026
- Team size
- 3–5
- Capacity
- 200 participants
Welcome to the Spectrum AI Hackathon 2026! Registration is open now form your team in the portal, pick a track, and get building from 1 September. Everything you need (schedule, resources, mentors, submissions) lives right here.
A three-day build sprint where teams of 3-5 turn agentic-AI ideas into working prototypes. Two tracked submission rounds, mentor office hours throughout, and a judged demo day winners announced at the awards ceremony on 5 September.
Who it's for: Developers, data scientists, designers, and product thinkers across the GCC students and professionals alike. No prior hackathon experience needed; AI curiosity required.
Challenge tracks
Agentic AI for Healthcare
Candidates will build Solution involving Agentic AI tools to build Healtcare agent
AI for Learning & Skills
How might agentic AI close skill gaps faster — for students, employees, and career changers — while keeping humans in the loop?
Responsible AI & Governance
Build the tooling that lets organisations ship AI features with confidence: evals, red-teaming aids, audit trails, or policy enforcement.
Prizes
Prizes are per team. Winning teams also get a mentoring session with the judging panel and a feature in the Spectrum Networks newsletter.
1st place
AED 10,000 + Azure credits
Winning team, plus a showcase slot at Spectrum TechDays.
2nd place
AED 5,000
Runner-up team.
Best student team
AED 2,000
Top team where every member is a current student.
Schedule
Hackathon announcement & briefing
15 Aug 2026, 06:00 → 15 Aug 2026, 07:00 · Online
Public announcement: tracks, prizes, timeline, and how registration works.
Kickoff ceremony
18 Aug 2026, 05:00 → 18 Aug 2026, 06:00 · Spectrum HQ Dubai
Opening keynote, track briefings, and team formation deadline.
Induction session
25 Aug 2026, 06:00 → 25 Aug 2026, 07:00 · Online
Walkthrough of the participant portal: teams, submissions, resources, and where to get help.
Mentor office hours
28 Aug 2026, 06:00 → 28 Aug 2026, 08:00 · Online
Drop-in help from track mentors — technical or pitch questions welcome.
Mentor office hours
2 Sept 2026, 11:00 → 2 Sept 2026, 13:00 · Online
Drop-in help from track mentors — technical or pitch questions welcome.
Submissions close
3 Sept 2026, 14:00
Final round closes: repo, demo, and pitch deck must be in.
Judging day
4 Sept 2026, 06:00 → 4 Sept 2026, 12:00 · Spectrum HQ Dubai
Panel review of all final submissions against the published rubric.
Awards ceremony
5 Sept 2026, 12:00 → 5 Sept 2026, 13:30 · Spectrum HQ Dubai + Online
Winners announced, prizes awarded, demos from the top teams.
Judging
How submissions are scored
- /10
Innovation & originality
How novel is the idea and its use of agentic AI?
- /10
Technical execution
Quality, robustness, and completeness of the working prototype.
- /10
Impact & feasibility
Real-world value and a credible path to adoption.
- /10
Presentation & demo
Clarity of the pitch and the demo.
Jury
Rajesh Iyer
CloudWorks
Navin Tyagi
Sr. Consultant · Spectrum Networks
25+ years experience
MCT
FAQ
Who can participate?
Anyone 18+ students, professionals, and startup teams across the GCC. You register as an individual and form or join a team of 3-5 inside the participant portal.
Does it cost anything?
No. Participation is free, including workshops, mentor office hours, and judging day.
Do I need a team before registering?
No. Register first; team formation happens in the portal from 15 August and closes at kickoff on 1 September.
What do we have to submit?
An idea outline in the Idea round, then a working prototype with a repo link and a short demo video before 3 September, 18:00 (Dubai time).
Who owns what we build?
Your team keeps full ownership of everything you create. Judges and organizers only get access to review your submission.