Event Overview
AI HackFest 2025 is a nation-wide, high-impact innovation challenge designed to unite brilliant minds from academia and industry in developing next-generation AI-powered solutions. Centered around Generative AI, Big Data, and emerging technologies, this event invites participation through two distinct tracks:- Tertiary Category: University student teams
- Open Category: Tech enthusiasts and professionals
Categories & Participation
1. Tertiary Category – University Student Groups
- Eligibility: Registered university students.
- Team size: Maximum 5 members
- Nomination: Universities must nominate teams for the 1st round.
- Round 1: Each University can nominate up to 10 teams
- Round 2: Top 5 teams selected by the panel of judges to proceed to the finals based on innovation, feasibility, and impact of the solution.
- Registration Fee: No fee for university-nominated teams under Tertiary category.
2. Open Category – General Public / Tech Enthusiasts
- Eligibility: Open to all innovators (students, freelancers, professionals) above age 16.
- Team size: Maximum 5 members
- Nomination:
- Organization nominated team entrees: The organization must nominate the team members with a letter. The teams can be formed within an organization or across organizations.
- Self-nominated team entrees: Open team without representing an organization.
- Round 1: Unlimited entries accepted
- Round 2: Top 5 teams selected by the panel of judges to proceed to the finals based on innovation, feasibility, and impact of the solution.
- Registration Fee: LKR 5,000 per team for Round 1 entry
Competition Challenges
All challenges will be based on industry challenges with domains that has significant economical impact.
The problems will specify the domains and current challenges and participants are expected to come up with their own solutions using AI and Data analytics methods and approaches.
Once the registrations are completed the challenge will be shared with the team.
Teams will have 5 days to submit a solution proposal using AI and Data analytics methods and approaches.
Judging
Unbiased and qualified panel of judges will take part in judging the two rounds.
First Round
- The teams must submit a solution proposal to the given challenge.
- The Panel will assess the solution approach and methodology based on the submitted proposal.
- The team will NOT get to present the proposal.
- Proposed solutions’ innovation, feasibility and impact will be considered in the evaluation of the first round.
- Only 5 teams will be shortlisted for the final round from each category.
Final Round
- The shortlisted teams will physically gather to take part in the final round.
- Teams would have to give a solution to a challenge given to them.
- The solution must be implemented with in the given timeframe.
- The teams and their activities will be monitored by the panel.
- The completed solution must be presented to the judging panel by the team members.
- The solutions will be evaluated by the judges during the presentation.
Timeline
Open Submissions | 7th May 2025 |
Registration Deadline | 16th May 2025 |
Receive Challenge | 19th May 2025 |
Submission Deadline | 23rd May 2025 |
1st Round Judging | 24th & 25th May 2025 |
Announce Finalists | 26th May 2025 |
Final Judging | 31st May 2025 |
Awards & Recognition
- All finalists will receive certificates and recognition.
- Top 3 teams in each category will receive cash prizes, trophies, certificates, and sponsor recognition.
- Top teams will be given spotlight in the AI Summit.
- Access to mentorship.
Important notes
Team names
- Team names must not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or other legal rights. Team members are solely responsible for ensuring compliance, and the organizers shall not be held liable for any related claims or disputes.
- Only organization nominated teams can use their respective Organizational names as the team name or part of it.
- Only Tertiary University nominated teams can use their respective University names as the team name or part of it.
Identification
- During the final round all participants must be able to prove their identity whenever the Organization committee or judge panel request. A verifiable valid identity proof must be available for this purpose. These includes:
- Valid National ID
- Valid Driving license
- Valid Passport
- Valid University ID (For Tertiary team members)
- Valid Company ID (For organization nominated Open team members)
- In the case of unavailability of such proof of ID it must be communicated to the organization committee in writing 48 hours prior to the final round.
University and Organization Nomination letters
- During the final round all tertiary teams must be bale to produce authorized nomination letter with to recognize as a Tertiary team.
- During the final round Organization nominated teams must be able to provide the authorized nomination letter to recognize the Organization or the partnerships. If not they will be considered as an self-nominated team.
FAQ
Can we change the team members after submission?
Team members cannot be change after submission. If a member is not available for the Finals, the team may have to take part with one less member.
Can a team member represent two teams in the same category?
A team members cannot represent two teams in the same category.
Can a team member represent two teams in different categories?
A team members cannot represent two teams in the same category, as the finals for both categories will be held parallelly.
Can University students be part of Open category teams?
Anyone above age 16 are eligible to be part of an Open team.
Can multiple organizations be represented by one team?
In the case of multiple organizations, the nomination letter must clearly specify the partner organization names and details.
Can one organization nominate multiple teams?
One organization can nominate multiple teams. However, each team must be clearly defined and team members cannot be shuffled during the competition.