AI Futures Challenge 2026

The AI Futures Challenge 2026 asks participants to build a realistic and hopeful future world in which AI has gone right.

Official Call / Opportunity Page URL: https://worlds.existentialhope.com/

Deadline: 30 June 2026, 23:59 anywhere on earth (UTC-12).

Application Fee / Participation Fee: No application fee is stated on the official page. The course required before submission is described as free.

Eligibility: Anyone aged 16 or older may enter. Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian permission. Entries may be submitted by individuals or teams.

Project / Submission Requirements: Participants complete the free “Worldbuilding Hopeful Futures with AI” course before submitting. The submission form asks open-ended questions and allows media uploads. AI tools are allowed.

Support / Benefits: Prizes listed on the official page are 5,000 USD for Best overall world and five 1,000 USD prizes for Best visuals, Best transformative technology, Most inspiring vision, Best transformed sector, and Best institution. All submissions are featured in the World Gallery.

Application Method: Take the free Udemy course linked on the official page, build the world using the course assignments, and submit through the world submission form.

Additional Conditions Stated by Organizer: Entrants keep the rights to their worlds, but by submitting they allow Existential Hope to feature the world in the World Gallery and across its channels. The official page states that payment is by international bank transfer and tax documentation may be required depending on country.