Three years ago, no student community in Italy was running a real hackathon — and the few in Europe weren’t exactly setting the world on fire.
So we did it ourselves.
What started as a slightly ambitious idea turned into something nobody expected: teams that kept building long after the event, collaborations with sponsors that actually went somewhere, and a few participants who went on to launch startups — one of which just raised a couple million. No big deal.
Turns out, when you set the bar, everyone suddenly discovers they wanted to do hackathons too. Startups started hosting their own, other communities followed, and just like that — a full-blown Hackathon Fever.
We kept raising the bar every year, and here we are again: bigger sponsors, bigger prizes, bigger challenges. But the core hasn’t changed — community, connections, and most importantly, having fun.
That’s what GDG AI HACK is.
Turns out, when you set the bar, everyone suddenly discovers they wanted to do hackathons too. Startups started hosting their own, other communities followed, and just like that — a full-blown Hackathon Fever.
We kept raising the bar every year, and here we are again: bigger sponsors, bigger prizes, bigger challenges. But the core hasn’t changed — community, connections, and most importantly, having fun.
That’s what GDG AI HACK is.
GDG AI HACK?
GDG AI HACK?
GDG AI HACK?
What to expect
What to expect
GDG's hackathon dedicated to AI and developers: a weekend of building, breaking, and shipping with real teams, real mentors, and prizes worth losing sleep over.
Learn Different
TRACK A
Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.
Learn Different
TRACK A
Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.
Learn Different
TRACK A
Reimagine healthcare with intelligent systems. From early diagnostics to drug discovery — build AI that saves lives and transforms patient care.
See Beyond
TRACK B
Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.
See Beyond
TRACK B
Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.
See Beyond
TRACK B
Engineer the cities of tomorrow. Tackle urban challenges with AI — from sustainable mobility to intelligent infrastructure and energy optimization.
Cut the Cord
APPLY
Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.
Cut the Cord
APPLY
Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.
Cut the Cord
APPLY
Two tracks, real mentors, and prizes worth building for. Apply now to join GDG AI HACK 2026.
Hackathons throw curveballs. The challenge you didn’t expect, the tool that breaks at 2 AM, the pivot that changes everything. Here’s what we wish someone had told us beforehand.
Can we know the challenge beforehand?
No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.
Can I participate even if I don't have a team?
Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.
Is a pre-existing project required?
No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.
How many spots are there?
160 (40 teams)
Do I need to bring anything specific?
Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps.
Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.
Is there anything before the hackathon?
Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.
How are the results communicated?
We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).
Are meals included?
Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.
Can we know the challenge beforehand?
No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.
Can I participate even if I don't have a team?
Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.
Is a pre-existing project required?
No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.
How many spots are there?
160 (40 teams)
Do I need to bring anything specific?
Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps.
Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.
Is there anything before the hackathon?
Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.
How are the results communicated?
We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).
Are meals included?
Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.
Can we know the challenge beforehand?
No 🙂 We reveal it at the kickoff.
Can I participate even if I don't have a team?
Absolutely. Apply solo — if you get selected, we'll help you find your people before the event.
Is a pre-existing project required?
No. But a portfolio — even just repos and side projects — helps us understand what you can actually do.
How many spots are there?
160 (40 teams)
Do I need to bring anything specific?
Laptop, charger, any adapters you need. Optional: pillow/eye mask for power naps.
Oh, and for everyone's sake: deodorant and toothbrush. Nobody wants to debug while holding their breath.
Is there anything before the hackathon?
Friday May 8, welcome drinks. Optional, but a good excuse to meet your future teammates before the chaos starts.
How are the results communicated?
We review applications on a rolling basis and communicate outcomes as we go. In any case, you'll know no later than end of April. Tip: check your inbox (and spam, just in case).
Are meals included?
Covered. Meals and snacks throughout — one less thing to worry about while you're in the zone.
GDG AI HACK 2026 is a free, in-person AI hackathon in Milan, Italy, running May 8 to 10, 2026 at Randstad Box. Organized by GDG on Campus PoliMi and GDG Cloud Milano, the event brings together 160 developers, students, and designers to build AI projects over a weekend. Three main tracks focus on AI for education with Braynr, spatial and vision AI with Luxonis, and on-device AI with MSI. Ten side challenges from Google, Replit, ElevenLabs, and more. Prize pool exceeds 15,000 euros. Applications close April 17, 2026.
GDG AI HACK 2026 è un hackathon AI gratuito e in presenza a Milano, Italia, dall'8 al 10 maggio 2026 presso il Randstad Box. 160 partecipanti, 40 team, montepremi di oltre €15.000. Tre tracce: AI for Education, Vision AI e On-Device AI. Organizzato da GDG PoliMi e GDG Cloud Milano.
