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IEEE IES Generative AI Challenge 2027

The IEEE IES Generative AI Challenge is an international, multi-stage AI hackathon for transforming early-stage AI innovations into peer-reviewed research contributions that are presented and published at a flagship IEEE conference. The main focus of the hackathon is Generative AI in industrial settings, spread across algorithms, models, applications, ethics, regulation and adoption. This is the fourth consecutive year of the challenge, following three successful editions that produced more than 100 conference publications and supported teams across the world to develop their research capabilities and international networks.

This hackathon is open to anyone from any background, whether you have prior experience in academic writing or not. You are not required to be an IEEE member or have a fully developed project. If you have a brilliant idea for AI innovation, we will guide you through the process of turning it into a reality and help you publish your work within the scientific community.

The 2026 Edition in Numbers

The 2026 challenge was our largest edition so far:

• 500+ team registrations from around the world
• 192 initial paper drafts submitted at Milestone 2
• 180+ final manuscripts completed at Milestone 3
• 92 hackathon papers accepted and presented at IRAI 2026 in Melbourne, Australia (26 in person, 66 online)
• 8 winning teams recognised with travel grants (6 at IRAI 2026 and 2 through the IECON 2026 track)

See the 2026 winners and the outputs of earlier editions under Previous Winners.

What’s New in 2027

The 2027 hackathon is aligned to a single conference:

• IRAI 2027 – IEEE International Conference on Responsible Artificial Intelligence
  Colombo, Sri Lanka | 17–20 November 2027

All papers accepted through the hackathon pathway will be sponsored through the hackathon. The hackathon provides a minimum of 6 travel grants for winning teams to present their accepted paper at IRAI 2027.

In addition, based on the quality of the manuscript and other considerations (including country of origin), the organizing committee may:

• increase the value of a travel grant, and/or
• award more than 6 travel grants overall.

We have also extended the project period. The call opens in October 2026, shortlisted teams are announced in early January 2027, and project work runs from January 2027 with more time between milestones, so teams can build stronger experiments and manuscripts.

Why Generative AI?

Generative AI has the power to revolutionize industries by enabling efficient processes, data-driven insights, and intelligent automation. From predictive maintenance and defect detection to supply chain optimization and energy management, Generative AI addresses the complex, real-world needs of industrial and IoT systems. Advanced techniques such as deep learning and transformer-based models empower teams to create novel, AI-driven solutions that redefine what’s possible in industrial innovation.

Why IEEE IES?

As part of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, we’re committed to advancing technology for industry. Our goal is to foster academic and commercial collaborations, nurturing practical solutions that blend engineering expertise with cutting-edge research. By organizing this hackathon, IEEE IES provides a global platform for students, researchers, and professionals to push the boundaries of industrial electronics, ultimately shaping safer, more efficient, and more sustainable systems.

Hackathon Timeline

Registration opens in October 2026 and shortlisted teams are announced in early January 2027. Project work runs from January to May 2027, culminating in the opportunity to present your published paper at IRAI 2027 (17–20 November 2027, Colombo, Sri Lanka). Along this journey:

• You’ll be paired with mentors who possess both industry expertise and a strong research background.
• You’ll develop state-of-the-art Generative AI solutions for real-world industrial problems.
• You’ll learn how to transform a prototype into a full-fledged research paper that meets peer-review standards.

Why Join?

1. Long-Term Guidance
   Get more than just a weekend hackathon experience. Our extended format provides continuous mentorship, ensuring your idea matures into a rigorous scientific contribution.

2. Research Publication Opportunity
   Top papers will be presented at IRAI 2027, with travel grants for the best teams.

3. Global Collaboration
   Work alongside industry experts, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world, exploring groundbreaking Generative AI use cases in Industry 4.0.

4. Practical Support & Sponsorship
   We offer travel support for the top teams to attend IRAI 2027 in person. Get guidance on data sourcing (e.g., using IEEE Dataport) to bring your project to life.

Thought Starters for Brainstorming within the Team

• Generative Design for Manufacturing
  Harness AI-driven product design, customization, and simulation to reduce waste and improve performance.

• Human-Machine Collaboration
  Develop advanced interfaces that enable intuitive communication between operators and industrial systems.

• Anomaly Detection and Quality Control
  Integrate AI to detect unusual sensor patterns early, improving defect detection rates while minimizing manual inspections.

• Energy Optimization
  Power usage, power quality and optimisation that is aligned with smart-grid demands and sustainability goals.

• Predictive Maintenance
  Analyze large volumes of operational data for failure forecasting, streamlining maintenance schedules and preventing costly downtimes.

• Responsible Generative AI
  Safety, security, transparency, fairness and accountability of generative AI systems used in industry.

If you are still unsure about your brilliant idea, take a look at the outputs of earlier editions in Previous Winners.

Hackathon Timeline (2027 Edition)

This hackathon supports teams from concept validation to a complete conference paper submission. Check the full timeline.

Milestones

Hackathon will be progressing through 3 Milestones. Please visit Milestones

Conference Dates

• IRAI 2027: 17–20 November 2027 (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Travel Grants (Minimum Guaranteed, Can Increase)

• Top 3 teams (Winners): USD 2,000 per team + potential additional support based on paper quality

• Next 3 teams (Runners-up): USD 1,000 per team + potential additional support based on paper quality

The minimum number of travel grants and values is confirmed. The maximum number and/or value may be increased based on paper quality and country of origin, at the discretion of the hackathon organizers.

Get Started

1. Register Here – Sign up your team, submit a brief proposal.
2. Check the Timeline – Stay aware of all milestone dates.
3. Review Submission Requirements – Ensure you meet all criteria.
4. Got Questions? – Visit our Q&A page or Contact Us.

We look forward to your innovative ideas and contributions. Let’s push the boundaries of Generative AI in industrial settings together!