Unleashing the Power of Agentic AI Industry Solutions

March 16 - March 17

$10,000 in Cash Prizes will be awarded, split among the winning team members.

Participants will collaborate in teams to design innovative, AI-powered solutions across three industry-focused challenge tracks: Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Education. Projects should show how agentic AI and responsible AI practices are used to ensure safety, transparency, and positive impact. Throughout the event, students will gain hands-on experience with IBM technologies such as watsonx Orchestrate and IBM SkillsBuild while working alongside IBM experts and industry mentors.

Compete for $10,000 in cash prizes while developing technical and professional skills, building your portfolio, and connecting with peers and professionals shaping the future of AI innovation.

Join us at Cal State LA March 16th - March 17th, 2026 for the CSU AI Hackathon, an in-person student event sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild that brings together CSU university students from across Southern California to apply artificial intelligence to real-world industry challenges.

*Cash prizes are sponsored by IBM and will be split among winning teams, with prize money distributed to individual team members.

Choose one of the three challenge tracks and build an AI solution that applies responsible and agentic AI to solve real industry challenges.

Education and Workforce Intelligence Track

Design an AI solution that supports students, educators, or job seekers with personalized learning, skill development, or agentic AI guidance. You will build tools that help learners navigate education pathways, understand in-demand skills, and receive personalized academic or career support.

Healthcare and Life Sciences Track

Build an AI solution that improves healthcare delivery, clinical workflows, or patient access using responsible and agentic AI. You will explore how AI can support better care through smarter triage, improved hospital operations, expanded access, or tools that help clinicians and patients make informed decisions.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Track

Create an AI solution that enhances semiconductor manufacturing or supply chain processes through predictive insights, automation, or agentic AI. You will work on technologies that make production more efficient and resilient, such as predictive maintenance, process optimization, or digital twin simulations.

See below for the key benefits you will gain by participating in this industry-focused hackathon:

Gain Practical AI Experience

• Explore how AI can solve real problems faced by industries today
• Grow your technical and professional skills as you build real-world AI solutions

Connect with IBM Leaders & Industry Partners

• Network with IBM mentors, local industry partners, and fellow innovators
• Receive guidance and support throughout the eventlist

Compete for Prizes and Earn Certificates

• Compete for a share of 10,000 dollars in cash prizes. (See the prize section for more info)
• Earn access to IBM SkillsBuild certificates, IBM swag, giveaways from industry partners, and more!

All students, faculty and community members are welcome to join the morning opening event with IBM Leaders to explore AI and connect with IBM and local industry partners. 

The hackathon is open to all CSU students across majors and backgrounds, including:

Computer Science, Data Science & Engineering

Students interested in building, coding, and applying AI and technical tools to real-world challenges.

Business & Industry Disciplines

Students who bring industry or domain knowledge to help define problems and shape practical solutions.

Design, Marketing & Communications

Students focused on UX/UI, product design, branding & storytelling to enhance the user and presentation experience.

Any Students Passionate About Exploring AI 

Students from any major who are curious about AI and want hands-on experience building real-world solutions.

Team size is 1–5 participants, solo participation is also allowed.

Winning teams will split the cash prize, with prize money distributed among winning team members sponsored by IBM.

Best Project

Runner Up

3rd Runner Up

Special Category x2

Teams of 1–5 people will choose one of the challenge tracks above and submit one project. See the following criteria that judges will use to evaluate your solution:

Technical Execution 

• Does the solution effectively utilize the required technologies?

• How well does the prototype function and demonstrate its intended capabilities?

• Is the solution easy to use, navigate, and understand?

• Is the technical approach thoughtful, reliable, and well structured?

• Does the project follow responsible and ethical AI practices?

Innovation 

• Is this a unique approach or a new type of solution?

• Does the solution introduce creative or inventive uses of AI and agentic AI?

• Is it differentiated from existing tools, processes, or approaches in the market?

• Does the project reflect original thinking or a strong reimagining of current solutions?

• Does the team demonstrate innovative problem solving?

Industry & Challenge Fit

• How relevant is the solution to the selected challenge track?

• Does the project address meaningful industry needs and real user pain points?

• Are AI and agentic AI applied in a way that enhances impact and aligns with industry context?

• Is the solution practical, scalable, and suited for real-world implementation?

• Does the team clearly articulate the problem, stakeholders, and value created?

Implementation & Feasibility 

• How feasible is the solution to implement beyond the hackathon?

• Can the solution realistically be deployed, integrated, or scaled in a real-world environment?

• Does the team demonstrate a clear path from prototype to practical application?

• Could this solution realistically be built, launched, or expanded with the tools and resources available?

• Does the solution account for real-world constraints such as time, data, infrastructure, or user adoption?

2/9

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

3/17

3/17

3/17

Registration Opens!

Hackathon Kick off: Virtual, date coming soon!

Team Formation: Virtual and on-site. Virtual date coming soon!

Webinars: Details coming soon!

Project Submission: Due on-site 3/17

Judging: Judging is done on-site, judges to be announced soon!

Winners Announcement!

IBM SkillsBuild is a trademark or registered trademark of IBM Corp., in the US or other countries or both.

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