IBM has announced the launch of the AI Builders Challenge, a global initiative designed to help university students develop practical artificial intelligence and software development skills using IBM Bob, the company’s AI-powered development partner. The announcement was made during IBM’s Future of AI in Higher Education Summit in New York City and reflects the company’s growing commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven workforce.
The AI Builders Challenge provides students with opportunities to create real-world AI projects, gain hands-on experience with modern development tools, and build portfolio-ready work that can support future career opportunities. Participants will be able to work individually or in teams, with projects evaluated on innovation, technical execution, feasibility, and overall impact. The program also includes access to learning resources, mentoring, webinars, and community support through IBM SkillsBuild.
A key component of the initiative is IBM’s decision to expand free access to IBM Bob across 20,000 post-secondary institutions worldwide. IBM Bob is designed to support the software development lifecycle by assisting with coding, modernization, workflow orchestration, and governance, enabling students to gain experience with AI-assisted development in realistic environments.
The competition features a total prize pool of US$15,000, including a US$5,000 grand prize and additional monthly awards. Top participants will also have opportunities to gain recognition within the broader IBM technology ecosystem.
The initiative aligns with IBM’s broader objective of increasing global AI literacy and advancing its goal of helping millions of learners acquire technology skills by 2030. By combining accessible AI tools, practical project experience, and industry engagement, the AI Builders Challenge aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace-ready AI expertise.
Here are the details.
Image credit: IBM