AI Development &
Pitching Challenge
Empowering ASEAN Youth to build Artificial Intelligence solutions that solve real-world social challenges.
Watch the Challenge Introduction
Discover how AI Development & Pitching empowers students to transform innovative ideas into real AI solutions with global impact.
Learn how students transform AI ideas into impactful innovations through the AI Development & Pitching Challenge.
One Competition. One Complete Innovation Journey.
From learning AI fundamentals to pitching your innovation on an international stage — this challenge covers the entire innovation lifecycle.
What is AI Development & Pitching?
From innovative ideas to real-world AI solutions.
The AI Development & Pitching Challenge is an international innovation competition that guides students through the complete journey of designing, building, and presenting AI-powered solutions that solve real-world problems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rather than focusing only on coding, participants learn the entire innovation process—from identifying a meaningful problem and developing an AI solution to creating a functional prototype, validating its impact, and confidently pitching the project to an international panel of judges.
Throughout the competition, students gain hands-on experience in AI technologies, product development, teamwork, entrepreneurship, design thinking, communication, and presentation skills while receiving mentorship from industry experts and educators.
By the end of the programme, every team will have transformed an idea into an AI innovation that is technically feasible, socially impactful, and ready to be showcased on an international stage.
Why AI Tech for Good?
"Instead of asking students to simply learn AI… We challenge them to solve real social problems."
Learn AI Development
Python · ROS · Computer Vision · Speech AI · LLMs
Build Real Projects
Move beyond theory by developing real AI applications that address social challenges.
Prototype Innovation
Transform ideas into working hardware and software prototypes.
International Recognition
Receive internationally recognised certificates and digital credentials.
Expert Mentorship
Receive guidance from professors, PhD researchers and industry experts.
Global Exposure
Present your innovation on an international stage alongside ASEAN students.
Competition Journey
Follow the complete journey from learning AI to presenting your innovation on an international stage.
Competition Stages
Online Qualification
Grand Final @ KLESF
Master Cutting-Edge AI
Five comprehensive modules from fundamentals to full-stack AI development.
Python Programming
Robot Operating System
Speech & Language AI
Computer Vision
System Integration
What Can You Build?
Students are encouraged to develop practical AI solutions that address real-world problems aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Submission Requirements
Stage 1 — Online Qualification
Stage 2 — Grand Final @ KLESF
Competition Rules
Eligibility
Teams of 2–5 students. One teacher or mentor recommended. Students may only join one team.
Originality
Projects must be original. Open-source libraries are allowed with proper attribution. AI-generated content must be disclosed.
Allowed Technologies
Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV, ROS, Hugging Face, OpenAI API, Gemini, Claude, and compatible frameworks.
Submission
Respect submission deadlines. Follow file format requirements. Videos must stay within the required duration.
Code of Conduct
Respect judges and participants. Fair competition and responsible AI development are required at all stages.
SDG Alignment
All projects must contribute to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal and demonstrate measurable social impact.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Every project must contribute to at least one SDG — bridging technology and social impact.
International Innovation Showcase
Outstanding finalist teams will be invited to present their AI innovations during the Grand Final held alongside the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF), one of Malaysia's leading STEM education events.
Judging Criteria
Stage 1 — Online Qualification
Stage 2 — Grand Final
Awards & Recognition
Don't have a team for Development & Pitching?
Find teammates across ASEAN and beyond — search by competition, skills, experience, country, and collaboration preference. International teammates can collaborate online.
Participation Package
Online Competition — open to students across ASEAN and beyond.