Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FUTURE HACKATHON™ AI Immersive — event details, eligibility, schedule, and how to get involved.
About the Event
FUTURE HACKATHON™ is a two-day, hands-on AI and workforce readiness experience. Participants will learn practical AI skills, complete real-world challenges, build portfolio-ready projects, earn micro-credentials, and connect with employers and career opportunities.
This is not a traditional, code-heavy hackathon. It is designed to help participants across multiple fields learn how to work with AI.
FUTURE HACKATHON™ will take place October 19–20, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Atlanta, Georgia.
Day 1 will be hosted at Microsoft Atlantic Yards. Additional Day 2 location and arrival information will be shared with confirmed participants.
FUTURE HACKATHON™ is powered by AI STEAM Lab and produced by Hill Innovation Learning Labs Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with support from education, technology, workforce, and community partners.
Eligibility and Registration
The experience is designed for:
- College and university students
- Community college and trade school students
- Dual-enrollment, work-study, and CTAE pathway students
- Recent graduates and eligible job seekers
- Students exploring technology, business, healthcare, creative industries, skilled trades, esports, and other career fields
Participants should review the waitlist form for current age and eligibility options.
No. FUTURE HACKATHON™ is designed for every major and career pathway.
You bring your knowledge, interests, and ideas. We will help you use AI to create, solve problems, improve workflows, and prepare for the future of work.
No coding experience is required. Beginners are welcome, and experienced builders are encouraged to participate.
The event will include accessible AI, low-code, and productivity tools. Some technical challenges may be available for participants who want a more advanced experience.
Selected participants will attend at no cost through the support of sponsors and community partners.
Joining the waitlist does not guarantee admission. Participants will receive an official confirmation if selected.
Start by joining the waitlist. You will be asked to provide basic information about your school or employment status, location, preferred attendance day, and how you learned about the event.
Selected participants will receive registration and next-step information by email.
Join the WaitlistSchools, colleges, workforce programs, and community organizations may contact the FUTURE HACKATHON™ team about group participation.
Group space is limited and must be coordinated in advance.
The Two-Day Experience
Yes. The waitlist allows you to select Day 1, Day 2, or both days.
Participants attending both days will have more time to complete challenges, work with coaches, and expand their projects.
Day 1 is the AI Immersion and Hackathon experience hosted at Microsoft Atlantic Yards. Activities are expected to include:
- Microsoft Copilot productivity challenges
- Résumé and LinkedIn development
- AI career and industry labs
- Cybersecurity and datacenter career exploration
- Business, finance, fashion, and creative AI experiences
- Micro-credentials and certification opportunities
- Employer engagement and paid micro-internship pathways
Day 2 combines continued hackathon programming with a college esports experience co-hosted by The TLab Mobile Technology Lab.
Participants will explore how skills developed through esports—including communication, production, strategy, analytics, teamwork, and leadership—can connect to real careers.
Projects will vary by challenge and career pathway. Participants may build an AI assistant, improve a professional workflow, develop a creative concept, solve an industry problem, or produce a career-ready project.
The goal is to leave with something you can demonstrate, discuss, or add to your professional portfolio.
Some activities may be completed independently, while hackathon challenges may involve teams. Coaches and mentors will help participants identify a challenge and connect with others when needed.
You do not need to arrive with a team or a project idea.
Confirmed participants will receive a preparation guide with technology, identification, arrival, and participation requirements.
If you have access to a laptop, you may be encouraged to bring it. Specific device information will be included in your confirmation.
Yes. Lunch is planned for registered participants during the event.
Confirmed participants will receive additional information about meals and how to report dietary needs.
Participants will learn to understand, evaluate, and use AI—not simply accept its first response.
They will be encouraged to check AI-generated information for accuracy, consider bias and privacy, document how AI supported their work, and remain responsible for their final decisions and projects.
Credentials and Career Opportunities
Participants may earn FUTURE HACKATHON™ micro-credentials and qualify for sponsored certification vouchers through selected learning labs.
Completing the event does not automatically guarantee an external certification. Requirements will vary by credential and certification provider.
Participants will have opportunities to compete for prizes, recognition, and event awards. Prize categories and eligibility requirements will be announced before the event.
No. Participation does not guarantee employment.
FUTURE HACKATHON™ gives participants opportunities to meet employers, demonstrate skills, explore career pathways, and apply for paid micro-internships or other opportunities offered by participating organizations.
Participants complete assessments and real-world challenges that help identify skills, interests, and possible career pathways.
Information is used with permission to personalize the participant experience, support credentialing and opportunity matching, and provide partners with aggregated workforce insights. Individual information will not be shared outside the event’s stated permissions.
Sponsors, Employers, and Partners
Yes! Individuals, businesses, and organizations can sponsor one or more students to attend the complete two-day experience at no cost.
A $250 charitable contribution sponsors one student and supports access to hands-on learning labs, lunch, credential opportunities, mentorship, and employer connections.
You can sponsor one student or help fund an entire student group.
Sponsor a StudentEmployers can support the event by:
- Offering paid micro-internships
- Leading an industry challenge or career lab
- Conducting mini-interviews
- Providing mentors or workforce resources
- Connecting participants to employment pathways
Visit the Employers page or contact the FUTURE HACKATHON™ team to learn more.
Explore Employer PartnershipsPartners can sponsor participant access, activate a learning lab, contribute prizes or certification vouchers, provide workforce resources, or support employer engagement.
Every $250 helps provide one participant with access to the two-day experience at no cost.
Become a PartnerContact Natina Marie Hill, Founder of AI STEAM Lab and FUTURE HACKATHON™, at natina@aisteamlab.org.
Still have questions? Reach out or join the waitlist.