Calling all problem solvers – the future of AI in Illinois starts with you!
The Illinois AI Challenge is a brand-new statewide competition for students in grades 6–12, designed to put your creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking to the test. Teams of up to four students, guided by a teacher sponsor, will take on one of two tracks to design AI-based solutions—or detailed proposals—that address real challenges in their communities.
We’re inviting you to harness the power of artificial intelligence to imagine new possibilities, solve authentic problems, and share your vision for how AI can make a positive impact on the world around you.
This challenge is your chance to:
- Amplify your voice and showcase your ideas
- Build future-ready skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and responsible AI use
- Align your project with the new Presidential AI Challenge for an even bigger stage to shine
Whether you’re already an AI enthusiast or just curious to explore, this project-based competition is the perfect opportunity to turn ideas into action—and demonstrate how Illinois students are leading the way in safe, ethical, and innovative AI.
If you’re interested, sign up now!
Kick Off Webinar
Thu. September 18, 2025 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CDT
Learn about challenge details, timeline, and get some resources to get your students started designing! There will be an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the webinar, so feel free to bring any questions you may have about the competition.
Choose Your Track
TRACK 1
Proposal
Teams create an in-depth proposal for how AI technologies could be applied to address a community challenge. This proposal must address an observed challenge in the student’s community, detail the mechanisms for applying AI technologies, and elaborate on how AI technologies could help address that challenge.
TRACK 2
Technical/Implementation
Teams build a solution with AI technologies that can help address a community challenge. Solutions could take many forms, such as phone apps, websites, or processes, with supporting materials showing how people would leverage the technologies and how AI technologies are helpful in addressing that challenge.
Contest Guidelines & Resources
Guidelines
Team Composition
- Grades 6–12; up to 4 students plus 1 adult coach.
Requirements
- Pick a track: Proposal (idea + research) or Implementation (working AI solution).
- Submit one PDF (max 10 pages, ≤ 50 MB) that includes: a narrative (500+ words), pitch deck, originality statement, and a video link (≤ 5 min).
- Use only free, school-provided, or LTC-provided tools.
Scoring
- Illinois will align scoring to the Presidential AI Challenge Rubric to simplify submission for the national challenge, with one exception:
- Illinois scoring for Criteria 2 will be based on alignment to the UNESCO AI Guidelines for safe, responsible, and ethical AI use, rather than national objectives.
- Teams that wish to submit to the national competition should also consider Criteria 2 from the Presidential AI Challenge.
- Illinois school districts should ensure SOPPA compliance for any tools students use during project development.
Prizes
All participants receive:
- Certificates of participation
- Access to Playlabs.ai through June 2026
The winning team receives:
- $1,000 gift card for each student and the teacher sponsor
- Feature on the LTC website and social media channels
- Opportunity to publish a guest LTC blog post highlighting the winning AI design
Resources
Virtual Meetups
- Kick Off Webinar | Thurs. Sept. 18 | 3:30pm
- Drop-In Office Hours | Oct. 6 – Dec. 9, 2025 | 3:30pm
- 1st Monday of the month
- Zoom Link (no registration required)
IL AI Challenge Toolkit:
LTC will provide a support toolkit to coaches upon registration, including:
- AI Ethics & Safety toolkit aligned with the UNESCO AI Guidelines
- Design Thinking Workbook
- Editable Pitch Deck templates (Google Slides & Canva)
- Email list for reminders and additional information
- Student parental permission forms and media release forms
Timeline
Sept. 8 | Registration Opens (coaches register for their teams)
Sept. 18 | Informational Webinar
Oct. 6 – Dec. 8 | Office Hours
Oct. 8 | Registration closes @ 5:00pm
Oct. 20 | Session 1: Introduction to the Challenge, Playlab Platform, and Submission Basics @ 3:30
Oct. 27 | Session 2: Supporting Students + Hands-On Playlab Building @ 3:30
Nov. 8 | Team Information Form Due
Nov. 10 | Session 3: Advanced Playlab Features and Project Refinement Strategies @ 3:30
Dec. 19 | Package due for state competition
Jan. 9, 2026 | Project scoring provided to participating teams; IL winner announced!
Team Composition
- Grades 6–12; up to 4 students plus 1 adult coach.
Requirements
- Pick a track: Proposal (idea + research) or Implementation (working AI solution).
- Submit one PDF (max 10 pages, ≤ 50 MB) that includes: a narrative (500+ words), pitch deck, originality statement, and a video link (≤ 5 min).
- Use only free, school-provided, or LTC-provided tools.
Scoring
- Illinois will align scoring to the Presidential AI Challenge Rubric to simplify submission for the national challenge, with one exception:
- Illinois scoring for Criteria 2 will be based on alignment to the UNESCO AI Guidelines for safe, responsible, and ethical AI use, rather than national objectives.
- Teams that wish to submit to the national competition should also consider Criteria 2 from the Presidential AI Challenge.
- Illinois school districts should ensure SOPPA compliance for any tools students use during project development.
Prizes
All participants receive:
- Certificates of participation
- Access to Playlabs.ai through June 2026
The winning team receives:
- $1,000 gift card for each student and the teacher sponsor
- Feature on the LTC website and social media channels
- Opportunity to publish a guest LTC blog post highlighting the winning AI design
Virtual Meetups
- Kick Off Webinar | Thurs. Sept. 18 | 3:30pm
- Drop-In Office Hours | Oct. 6 – Dec. 9, 2025 | 3:30pm
- 1st Monday of the month
- Zoom Link (no registration required)
IL AI Challenge Toolkit:
LTC will provide a support toolkit to coaches upon registration, including:
- AI Ethics & Safety toolkit aligned with the UNESCO AI Guidelines
- Design Thinking Workbook
- Editable Pitch Deck templates (Google Slides & Canva)
- Email list for reminders and additional information
- Student parental permission forms and media release forms
Sept. 8 | Registration Opens (coaches register for their teams)
Sept. 18 | Informational Webinar
Oct. 6 – Dec. 8 | Office Hours
Oct. 8 | Registration closes @ 5:00pm
Oct. 20 | Session 1: Introduction to the Challenge, Playlab Platform, and Submission Basics @ 3:30
Oct. 27 | Session 2: Supporting Students + Hands-On Playlab Building @ 3:30
Nov. 8 | Team Information Form Due
Nov. 10 | Session 3: Advanced Playlab Features and Project Refinement Strategies @ 3:30
Dec. 19 | Package due for state competition
Jan. 9, 2026 | Project scoring provided to participating teams; IL winner announced!
Questions?
Contact events@ltcillinois.org