About the challenge

Build AI tools that solve real problems. For people, by people.

AI is changing everything, but too many AI projects are built for a demo instead of for a person. AI for Human Impact flips that. We challenge BASIS high school students to start from one question: “Who is this for, and what do they actually need?”

Over one week, teams of 2–4 build an AI-powered tool shaped by the people it’s meant to help, and compete for $10,000+ in prizes.

What makes this different

• Built WITH people, not just FOR them. Every project must involve at least one real person who experiences the problem, in design, testing, or feedback. Show us what they told you and how it changed your build.
• A full week, fully online. Build from anywhere, with teammates from any BASIS campus.
• Expert judges. Projects are reviewed by researchers and professionals from Stanford, Cal Poly, Vanderbilt, Yale, and industry.
• Beginner-friendly. No prior AI experience required. Workshops, mentors, and community support will help you go from idea to working prototype.

Four challenge tracks (pick one)

• Track 1: AI + Health. Help people understand, manage, and access care. Examples: caregiver organization tools, clearer medical information, healthy-routine assistants.
• Track 2: AI + Education. Make learning and teaching smarter and more personal. Examples: adaptive tutoring, interactive concept visualizations, early struggle detection for teachers.
• Track 3: AI + Accessibility & Inclusion. Break down barriers for people who need it most. Examples: communication support, inclusive navigation, tools for neurodivergent students.
• Track 4: AI + Sustainability & Community. Build for healthier communities and a healthier planet. Examples: food-waste reduction, disaster-response coordination, community resource allocation.

Every project must enter one of these four tracks. If your idea fits more than one, pick the closest match.

Key dates (Pacific Time)

• Nov 22, 2026: Registration opens
• Jan 16, 2027: Registration closes
• Feb 6–12, 2027: Build week
• Feb 12, 2027, midnight PT (end of day): Submission deadline
• Feb 13–19, 2027: Judging
• Feb 20, 2027: Winners announced

Hosted by Stanford NNEA and BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, with co-organizers across the BASIS network. Organized by BASIS students, for BASIS students. Learn more at basisglobalhacks.com.

Get started

New to hackathons or to building with AI? Here’s your path from zero to submission.

1. Register. Click Join hackathon at the top of this page by January 16, 2027. Every team member must register.
2. Form your team of 2–4 BASIS high school students. Teammates can be from different campuses.
3. Pick your track: Health, Education, Accessibility & Inclusion, or Sustainability & Community.
4. Find your real user early. This is required. It can be a classmate, a teacher, a family member, or someone in your community. Talk to them before you build, not after.
5. Build, test, and record a demo video (3 minutes or less) during build week (Feb 6–12, 2027).
6. Submit on Devpost by midnight PT at the end of Friday, February 12, 2027. On the submission form, choose your track.

You don’t need to be an expert. Start small, ship something real, and let your user’s voice shape it. Participants under 18 need parent or guardian permission.

Questions? Email [email protected].

• Social Impact – 30%
  Does this meaningfully address a real need? Is the impact demonstrated, not just claimed?
• Innovation in AI Application – 25%
  Is AI used meaningfully and creatively, not just as a chat-interface wrapper?
• Usability & Accessibility – 20%
  Could the intended users actually use this comfortably? Was it designed with them, not just for them?
• Technical Execution – 15%
  Does the prototype work? Is the code reasonably structured?
• Presentation Quality – 10%
  Are the problem, solution, and impact communicated clearly in the video and write-up?