IEEE IES Generative AI Challenge 2025

The IEEE IES Generative AI Challenge is an international research-focused hackathon aimed at pioneering innovative Generative AI applications within Industry 4.0. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, where we received 150 project proposals from 13 countries, shortlisted 43 teams, and produced groundbreaking solutions, we’re excited to bring you a more comprehensive experience in 2025.

This hackathon is open to anyone from any background, whether you have prior experience in academic writing or not. You don’t need to be an IEEE member or have a fully developed project. Even if you just have an idea, we will guide you through the process of turning it into a reality and help you publish your work within the scientific community.

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.

Note

What This Hackathon Offers You

  • Three structured milestones to build up your research project.
  • Expert mentorship in Generative AI and research to evolve your idea from its initial stage to a publishable form.
  • Travel grants for the top 6 teams to attend IECON 2025 in person.
  • Up to USD 100 for hardware or software resources for all teams completing the hackathon.

Hackathon Timeline

This hackathon runs for 2.5 months—from February to April 2025—culminating in the opportunity to present your published paper at IECON 2025 in Madrid, Spain (October 14–17, 2025). 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 IECON 2025, with potential 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 USD 13,500 in travel support for top teams and USD 100 for hardware/software expenses for all teams that complete the hackathon. Get guidance on data sourcing (e.g., using IEEE Dataport) to bring your project to life.


Example Use Cases where you can brainstrome your ideas

Generative AI demonstrates transformative potential in countless industrial and IoT scenarios. Here are a few inspirations:

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

  • Human-Machine Collaboration
    Develop advanced interfaces that enable intuitive communication between operators and robotic systems, leveraging large language models for real-time decision-making.

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

  • Energy Optimization
    Dynamically adjust power usage in manufacturing plants, aligning 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.

(…and more, such as Process Optimization, Virtual Assistants, Supply Chain Efficiency, Sustainable Manufacturing)

If you are still unsure about your brillient idea, take a look at last year hackathon’s outputs in 2024 Hackathon Winner


Hackathon Structure At-A-Glance

  • Registration (Feb 1– Feb 15 Feb 22, 2025 Extended): Form a team (1–5 members) and submit your proposal.
  • Mentor Assignment (Feb 25, 2025): Shortlisted teams paired with seasoned experts.
  • Milestones & Sprints (Feb–Apr 2025): Submit abstracts, drafts, and final papers.
  • Judging & Finalists (Apr 2025): Winners announced; top teams refine papers for IECON 2025.
  • IECON 2025 (Oct 14–17, 2025): Present your published paper in Madrid, Spain.
Info

Important
All participants must adhere to the official Rules & Guidelines.
Failure to comply may result in disqualification.


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!

Join us, push the boundaries of industrial innovation, and contribute to the ever-evolving field of Generative AI!

Register Here