IBM opens global AI Builders Challenge for university students
The challenge gives students access to IBM Bob through IBM SkillsBuild, with two monthly competitions, GitHub submissions, mentoring, and a $15,000 prize pool.
IBM has launched the AI Builders Challenge, giving university students hands-on experience with IBM Bob through IBM SkillsBuild
IBM has launched the AI Builders Challenge, a global competition giving university students hands-on experience with IBM Bob, its AI-powered development partner.
The challenge was announced on 3 June 2026 during IBM’s Future of AI in Higher Education Summit in New York City. IBM is also expanding free access to IBM Bob for higher education, making the technology available to 20,000 post-secondary institutions worldwide.
Students will use IBM Bob through IBM SkillsBuild to create software development projects tied to real-world themes. Final projects will be submitted through GitHub, with participants able to access support through Discord, mentors, office hours, and webinars.
The challenge is open to eligible university students aged 18 or older across participating countries and welcomes students from all majors. Participants can work individually or in teams.
Winners will compete for a share of a $15,000 prize pool. The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 and an invitation to IBM TechXchange, IBM’s global conference for developers, engineers, scientists, and researchers.
IBM Bob access expands to higher education
IBM Bob is described by IBM as an AI-powered development partner designed to support work across the software development lifecycle.
Unlike earlier AI tools focused mainly on code generation, IBM says IBM Bob integrates orchestration, execution, and governance into development workflows. The aim is to help students work on projects that involve testing, explanation, improvement, modernization, and scaling.
Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at IBM, says: "AI is now part of how work gets done, and students entering the workforce need to know how to use it effectively and responsibly. That means knowing how to question what an AI tool produces, explain the decisions made behind their work and take ownership of the output. The AI Builders Challenge gives university students practical experience building AI skills with IBM Bob, while helping them create portfolio-ready projects that show employers they are prepared for an AI-driven economy."
Nixon-Saintil also said on LinkedIn that the challenge gives university students "a hands-on way to build with AI, create portfolio-ready projects and gain experience that feels much closer to how work actually happens."
The launch comes as IBM points to a skills gap around generative AI use in employment. IBM cited a recent survey from the American Association of Colleges and Universities and Elon University, which found that 63 percent of faculty said graduates were not very or not at all prepared to use generative AI in the world of work.
Challenge themes cover work, space, and creative industries
The AI Builders Challenge includes real-world themes designed to give students applied AI and software development experience.
The themes include "Create with AI: The Future of Creative Industries", "Mission Beyond Earth: Space Exploration", and "Work Reimagined: Transforming Industries through Intelligent Work Systems."
IBM says students will be able to create projects they can showcase beyond the classroom. Submissions will be assessed by judges on technical execution, innovation, challenge fit, implementation, and feasibility.
Four winners will be selected for each of two monthly competitions, with prizes ranging from $750 to $2,250. The overall Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000.
Participants will also be able to build connections through the challenge community and IBM ecosystem.
Registration opens ahead of July competition
Registration for the AI Builders Challenge opened on 3 June. The two monthly competitions will launch on 1 July and 1 August, with entries due by 31 July and 31 August.
The challenge builds on IBM’s commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030. IBM says its broader university strategy is focused on helping students, faculty, and institutions move from AI literacy to AI fluency.
Through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM provides free learning, digital credentials, faculty enablement, hands-on labs, and challenge-based experiences.
The AI Builders Challenge is organized by BeMyApp. Participation is subject to eligibility criteria and official rules, and IBM says no purchase is necessary to enter or win.
