Free virtual competition offers $15,000 in prizes and hands-on experience with IBM Bob

College and university students across the United States and Canada can now register for the AI Builders Challenge – North America, a free virtual competition sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild and organized by BeMyApp.

Running from November 2 through December 10, 2026, the challenge gives students the opportunity to build a real-world AI project using IBM Bob as their primary development tool, gain practical experience and compete for a share of $15,000 in prizes. No coding experience is required, and students from all majors, backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Students can participate individually or in teams of up to five and choose from three challenge tracks:

  • AI for Good, focused on solutions that support positive social outcomes
  • AI for Business, focused on practical AI tools that improve how organizations work
  • Wildcard Challenge, which gives students the freedom to build around their own interests or ideas

Before beginning their project, all participants must complete a free 15-minute IBM SkillsBuild course introducing IBM Bob and AI development. Students will also have access to IBM mentors, technical resources, live webinars and project support throughout the challenge.

The competition includes a $10,000 Grand Prize, a $3,000 second-place prize, a $1,000 Best AI for Good Project award and a $1,000 Best Wildcard Solution award.

Final submissions must be completed by December 10, 2026, at 5 pm ET and include a working prototype or proof of concept, a published project page, a three-minute narrated demo video, presentation slides and proof that all team members completed the required IBM SkillsBuild learning.

Projects will be evaluated on technical execution, innovation, challenge fit and real-world impact, and feasibility and implementation.

Learn more and register for the AI Builders Challenge – North America:
https://aibuilderschallenge-na.bemyapp.com/