About the challenge

The AI 4 Earth Hackathon is an open-ended AI problem-solving challenge dedicated to our planet. Participants are free to identify a real-world environmental or sustainability problem of their choosing and design a solution using modern AI tools and techniques.

Rather than restricting teams to a narrow ecological theme, the event emphasizes:

  • Creative problem selection: Finding unique angles to address climate change, conservation, energy, or sustainability.

  • Practical, real-world impact: Building tools that can actually make a difference for the planet or local communities.

  • Thoughtful use of AI: Leveraging LLMs, APIs, automation, data analysis, or AI agents to tackle complex environmental datasets.

  • Clear articulation of why the solution matters: Explaining the environmental urgency behind your project.

Projects can span any domain within the green space (renewable energy, wildlife conservation, carbon tracking, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, climate education, etc.), as long as AI plays a meaningful role in the solution.

Teams will be evaluated on problem clarity, technical implementation, innovation, and potential environmental impact.

Get started

  1. Form a team (or work solo).

  2. Identify an environmental problem you care about or have personally observed.

  3. Design and build an AI-powered solution using any tools or platforms you choose.

  4. Submit your project with a short explanation of the problem, solution, and AI usage.

No prior hackathon experience is required. This event is designed to be welcoming to beginners while still offering depth and challenge for experienced builders passionate about climate tech.

Requirements

What to Build

Build a working project that uses AI in a meaningful way to solve a real-world environmental or sustainability problem of your choosing.

Your project should:

  • Clearly identify an environmental problem or sustainability pain point.

  • Use AI as a core component of the solution (not just a superficial add-on).

  • Demonstrate technical thoughtfulness, creativity, and potential positive impact on the planet.

Acceptable project types include (but are not limited to):

  • Web or mobile applications (e.g., carbon footprint trackers, eco-habit builders).

  • AI agents or automation workflows (e.g., automated supply chain optimization, climate data scrapers).

  • Developer tools, predictive models, or APIs (e.g., deforestation tracking models, energy grid simulators).

You may use any programming language, framework, model, or platform. Open-source tools, climate datasets, and publicly available APIs are all allowed.

What to Submit

Each team must submit the following on Devpost:

  • Project title and short description

  • Problem statement – what problem you are solving and why it matters

  • Solution overview – how your project works

  • AI usage explanation – how AI is used and why it improves the solution

  • Demo – video, live demo link, or screenshots showing your project in action

  • Source code or repository link (public or private with access)

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

1 non-cash prize
$25 Amazon Gift Card
1 winner

1st place gets $25 Amazon Gift Card and recognition on GatewayGS Website and Instagram
2nd place gets recognition on GatewayGS Website and Instagram
3rd place gets recognition on GatewayGS Website and Instagram

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Jonathan Chang
GatewayGS Co-Founder

David Chang

David Chang
AEI Founder

Shreyas Kapale
Founding Engineer & Lead AI Architect, Lyzr AI

Judging Criteria

  • Judging
    Your videos will be judged based on the hackathon rubric, and also your software's technical ability and contribution to the environment.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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