May 11–15, 2026
What is a Challenge?
A challenge is any visionary, high-impact problem - ideally one that affects millions, exposes inefficiency, or reveals an unmet human need - that you want explored or solved with the help of human-centric AI.
What role can an AI-enabled solution play for your Challenge?
Today, the critical ingredients of technological progress - capital, data, infrastructure, and specialized talent - are increasingly concentrated within a small number of global corporations. As these firms accumulate disproportionate economic returns and decision-making authority, they come to shape markets, institutions, and social outcomes at a scale that rivals the power of public institutions.
By actively participating in how AI is designed, governed, and deployed in society, we can reclaim AI as a shared societal infrastructure - one governed by collective intelligence, ethical stewardship, and long-term human flourishing.
“When thoughtfully designed, AI can deepen our human relationships, prioritize genuine connection over compulsive engagement, and support healthy self-reflection instead of gratuitous, constant validation. AI could be developed to amplify the best qualities of human relationships, assist in conflict resolution, and surface shared viewpoints within communities.” And while AI can seem like a threat to the status quo of our professional lives, we can “steer the transition to an AI-augmented workforce that doesn’t strip work of its meaning, or concentrate prosperity in fewer hands. AI can be developed and governed to enhance human judgment, support fair economic opportunity, and expand access to meaningful work. Wise, responsible implementation of AI could usher in a new era of human productivity and compelling new career paths where dignity and fulfillment are at the center of how we define progress.”
Borrowing from the words of the Center for Humane Technology:
What is a Strong Challenge?
Strong challenges are those that
Address a real human need
Affect millions of people or shape a critical system: health, education, work, cities, climate
Augment human judgment reveal patterns, support better decisions, or coordinate action without replacing it
Improve long-term human flourishing wellbeing, dignity, opportunity if addressed, or have long-term consequences if left unchecked
You feel accountable for or have a personal stake in solving.
Example: Health
Strong Challenge
“How can clinicians identify early, preventable health decline using patient data without increasing overtreatment?”
Why
Addresses a real human need, affects millions, uses AI to support—not replace—clinical judgment, and improves long-term wellbeing.
Weak Challenge
“How can we build an AI chatbot to diagnose illness?”
Why
Solution-first framing and inappropriate replacement of human expertise.
Example: Work
Strong Challenge
“How can AI help leaders identify burnout risk early and redesign work before harm occurs?”
Why
Human-centered use of AI with clear well-being outcomes.
Weak Challenge
“How can we automate hiring decisions end-to-end?”
Why
High-risk substitution of judgment with long-term equity consequences.
Example: Cities
Strong Challenge
“How can AI help cities balance climate resilience investments across neighborhoods fairly?”
Why
Shapes long-term outcomes and benefits from pattern recognition with human oversight.
Weak Challenge