About This Hackathon

AI & Robotics Hackathon 2026

Co-Hosted by Bangkok Bank and the MIT Media Lab | Bangkok, Thailand

Building Better Futures: Reimagining the Next Era of Manufacturing, Food, Work, and Learning

Building on the success of the inaugural AI & Robotics Hackathon in 2025, Bangkok Bank and the MIT Media Lab are joining forces once again in 2026 to bring together the next generation of innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers.

This year marks an exciting new chapter, with Bangkok Bank joining the MIT Media Lab as an official co-host, further strengthening the collaboration and expanding opportunities for participants to engage directly with faculty, researchers, and students from one of the world's leading interdisciplinary research and innovation communities.

Under the theme "Building Better Futures," participants will explore how artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technologies can address real-world challenges, unlock new possibilities, and shape a more innovative, sustainable, and human-centered future.

Four Innovation Challenge Tracks

Participants will be invited to develop bold ideas and innovative solutions across four interconnected challenge tracks:

• Future of Manufacturing – Reimagining the factories, supply chains, and production systems of tomorrow through intelligent automation, advanced robotics, and human-machine collaboration.
• Future of Food – Transforming how we grow, produce, distribute, and experience food through emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions.
• Future of Work – Redefining how people work, collaborate, and create value in an increasingly AI-enabled world, while exploring new opportunities for human creativity, productivity, and well-being.
• Future of Learning – Envisioning new approaches to education, skill development, and lifelong learning through AI, immersive technologies, and personalized learning experiences.

Three Days of Innovation, Collaboration, and Discovery

The hackathon will take place over three intensive days at Cloud 11 in Bangkok, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, exchange perspectives, and transform ambitious ideas into innovative solutions.

Throughout the program, participants will have opportunities to:

• Collaborate across disciplines with fellow innovators, technologists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers.
• Engage with the MIT Media Lab community, receiving mentorship and insights from faculty, researchers, and students.
• Explore emerging technologies and discover how advances in AI, robotics, and interdisciplinary research can inspire practical solutions to real-world challenges.
• Develop and refine innovative concepts, combining technical expertise, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Present their solutions to a panel of judges, showcasing their ideas and potential for meaningful impact.

To encourage connections and collaboration from the outset, participants will also be invited to a networking reception on the evening preceding the hackathon, providing an opportunity to meet fellow participants, organizers, and representatives from Bangkok Bank and the MIT Media Lab.

Participation in the entire program, including the networking reception and all three days of the hackathon, is required to ensure a meaningful, immersive, and collaborative experience for everyone involved.

More Than a Competition

The AI & Robotics Hackathon 2026 is more than a competition. It is an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking, explore new possibilities, and connect with a global community of innovators committed to shaping the future.

By bringing together the MIT Media Lab's interdisciplinary research culture, Bangkok Bank's commitment to innovation, and the creativity and ambition of participants, the hackathon aims to inspire solutions that extend beyond the event itself.

Whether your passion lies in technology, design, entrepreneurship, or social impact, this is an opportunity to learn, experiment, collaborate, and contribute to building a better future.

The future is not something we wait for. It's something we build together.

Schedule 

• December 14 – Morning icebreaker session with hackathon participants on the 29th floor, followed by an immersion session on the 30th floor at Bangkok Bank. The day will conclude with an evening reception aboard the Saffron Cruise, beginning at approximately 19:00.
• December 15 – Official opening ceremony and launch of the hackathon.
• December 16–17 – Hackathon activities, including team collaboration and project development.
• December 18 – Final project presentations, followed by the award ceremony.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about innovation and eager to explore how artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and emerging technologies can help shape the future of food, work, and learning.

The hackathon brings together individuals from diverse academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds to exchange ideas, tackle meaningful challenges, and develop innovative solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applicant Qualifications

1. Educational Background and Professional Experience

Graduate-level applicants and individuals with advanced academic or professional experience are preferred. However, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and educational or career pathways.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, including relevant professional, research, entrepreneurial, creative, or interdisciplinary experience, are strongly encouraged to apply.

2. Interest in Innovation and Emerging Technologies

Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in innovation, creative problem-solving, and the potential of emerging technologies to address real-world challenges.

Experience in fields such as AI, robotics, engineering, design, education, food systems, business, entrepreneurship, social impact, or related disciplines is welcome.

We particularly value intellectual curiosity, creativity, an open mindset, and a willingness to learn, contribute, and collaborate across disciplines.

3. Commitment to Full Program Participation

Selected participants must be available to attend the entire program, including the networking reception preceding the competition and all three days of the hackathon at Cloud 11 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Full participation is essential to fostering meaningful collaboration, co-creation, shared learning, and team building, as well as ensuring a productive and rewarding experience for all participants.

4. International Participation and English Communication

The hackathon is open to both Thai and international applicants.

As English will be the primary working language throughout the program, participants should be comfortable communicating and collaborating in English.

This will enable effective engagement with teammates, mentors, facilitators, judges, and fellow innovators from diverse backgrounds.

5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Teamwork

Successful applicants should demonstrate openness to interdisciplinary collaboration, an appreciation for diverse perspectives, and a willingness to learn from others.

Participants will be assigned to teams of approximately five to six members, intentionally bringing together individuals with different academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds.

6. Inclusive Team Composition

There will be no separate competition tracks for students and professionals.

Instead, teams will include a mix of students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and working professionals, creating opportunities for participants to share expertise, learn from one another, and combine complementary perspectives and skill sets.

This collaborative structure is designed to encourage creative thinking, cross-disciplinary exchange, and innovative approaches to addressing complex challenges.

Our Philosophy

We believe meaningful innovation emerges when people with different experiences, expertise, and perspectives come together.

While advanced academic qualifications and professional experience are valued, selection will not be based on academic credentials alone. We also seek individuals who demonstrate curiosity, initiative, creativity, collaborative spirit, and the potential to make meaningful contributions to their teams.

Above all, we encourage applicants who are eager to learn together, create together, and reimagine better futures.

Awards and Prizes

Grand Prize: Experience MIT Media Lab

An Exclusive Visit to the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, with Travel and Accommodation Support

The Grand Prize-winning team will receive an exclusive opportunity to visit the MIT Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

During this visit, winning team members will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Media Lab’s unique interdisciplinary research environment, engage with its vibrant community of researchers, students, and innovators, and gain firsthand exposure to cutting-edge research and emerging technologies.

The experience will offer opportunities to:

• Explore pioneering research across fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, design, human-computer interaction, and other emerging technologies.
• Engage with researchers and students to exchange ideas, perspectives, and insights.
• Experience MIT Media Lab’s interdisciplinary culture, where technology, creativity, and human-centered innovation intersect.
• Gain inspiration and new perspectives to further develop innovative ideas and explore future opportunities.

The Grand Prize is designed to provide an enriching educational and networking experience that extends beyond the hackathon itself.

Runner-Up Awards

In addition to the Grand Prize, the following cash awards will be presented:

• First Runner-Up: THB 150,000
• Second Runner-Up: THB 75,000

Award recipients will be responsible for any applicable withholding taxes in accordance with relevant tax laws and regulations.

Travel Support for the Grand Prize-Winning Team

Bangkok Bank intends to provide financial support to facilitate the Grand Prize-winning team's visit to MIT Media Lab, including round-trip airfare between Thailand and the United States.

Accommodation support is also anticipated as part of the Grand Prize experience.

Further information regarding the scope of financial support, travel arrangements, eligibility requirements, and applicable terms and conditions will be communicated at a later stage.

Travel support and participation in the MIT Media Lab visit will be subject to the final arrangements and eligibility requirements established by the organizers.