May 11–15, 2026
THE TOP 100 HUMAN+AI
INNOVATION CHALLENGES REPORT
May 11–15, 2026 | San Francisco, CA
One report. A shared global agenda. The problems that matter most.
Contribute a challenge you’re seeing in the real world—work, health, and cities. We’ll synthesize submissions into a global map of priorities for human-centered innovation in 2026.
Intake Deadline: February 14th, 2026
The Top 100 Innovation Challenge Report brings together perspectives across sectors, regions, and disciplines to surface the issues that matter most—from health and wellbeing to work, cities, and social infrastructure.
A compelling challenge from you can:
Humanity is entering a new chapter where technology and society must evolve together. No city, enterprise, foundation, or agency can see the full picture alone
Why Sharing Your Challenge Matters
Get published in the 2026 report to guide where global innovators focus.
Secure a spotlight in the HTW Showcase and exclusive media moments a Human+AI leader.
Unlock dedicated Innovation Sprints to rapidly prototype solutions.
What is a Top 100 Challenge?
A challenge is a specific problem causing cost, inefficiency, inequity, delay, or unmet need—addressable with human-centered AI.
Real Problems Only
Share a challenge your organization faces today.
No Technical Expertise Needed
We’re not looking for solutions—just problems.
Free to Participate
There is no cost to submit a challenge.
Included in Research Review
Your submission becomes part of our broader analysis.
Eligible for Deeper Exploration
Top challenges may be selected for deeper exploration.
Follow-Up
We may reach out for a brief conversation if selected.
Submitting a challenge connects your organization to a global ecosystem shaping the future of human-centered AI.
How It Works
STEP 1: SUBMIT
Share a challenge in 3–5 minutes using our simple form.
STEP 2: REVIEW
Submissions are synthesized, themes are clustered, and priority topics are identified.
STEP 3: RECOGNIZE
Selected challenges are included in the Top 100 Human+AI Problems Report, released February 2026.
FEB 14
MAR 2
MAR 3
MAR 4 - MAY 1
MAY 1 - MAY 10
MAY 10 - MAY 15
Challenge Intake Deadline
Executive Summary Press Release
Challenge Launch to Global Developer Community
Rapid
Prototyping
Prototype Evaluation and Selection
Human+Tech Week Innovation Challenge Showcase
Who This Is For
If you are accountable for outcomes—not just ideas—your perspective belongs here.
City Leaders
Share
Civic infrastructure challenges.
Gain
Attract global solutions to de-risk local investments.
Public Sector Teams
Share
Policy & Implementation Roadblocks
Gain
Clear pathways forward without the technical complexity.
Researchers & Institutions
Share
Emerging insights.
Gain
Move from theory to practice with real-world prototypes.
Foundations & NGOs
Share
Systemic community issues.
Gain
Align your mission with global priorities for better funding.
Enterprises
Share
Workforce or product friction.
Gain
Sharpen your AI strategy with zero resource commitment
Where Your Challenge Can Lead
Some challenges stand out. When they do, they may be explored more deeply in our 2026 innovation cycle — giving challenge-holders rare clarity, visibility, and momentum around the problems that matter most.
FAQs
What Is a Challenge?
A clear, specific problem your organization needs solved. Included in the Top 100 Human+AI Problems Report.
May advance to deeper exploration.
What Is a Prototype?
A working exploration of a challenge created during focused innovation sprints.
Explores possible approaches with software
What Is a Pilot?
A focused, real-world exploration of a promising approach.
Tests performance with users, data, or settings before broader commitment.
Deeper exploration through innovation sprints
A Sharper Problem Definition
Your challenge may be refined into a clear, structured statement that attracts attention and accelerates progress.
Multiple Ways Forward
Innovators explore your challenge through different lenses, revealing new interpretations and options you can take back to your teams.
Early Signals of What’s Possible
See how emerging tools and approaches might address your challenge—without technical scoping, funding, or commitment.
Insight Without Obligation
Gain visibility into potential pathways before taking steps or making decisions.
Broader Context
Understand how similar challenges appear across regions and sectors, helping leaders navigate complexity with confidence.
Reduced Risk
Learn how others approach related issues before investing time, resources, or political capital.
Momentum and Alignment
Exploration can energize teams and help decision-makers align around what matters most.
Global Visibility
Challenges that resonate may receive broader attention across the Human+Tech Week ecosystem.
A Path to More
Some challenges may be selected for further exploration during the innovation cycle—at no cost.
Where Innovation Meets Intention
Human+Tech Week convenes leaders across cities, enterprises, and research to advance responsible, human-centered AI.
The Innovation Challenge brings your voice into this work.
Natively powers Implementation Lab Sprints that turn challenges into prototypes and pilots.
FAQs
A meaningful problem your organization faces related to humans + AI, technology, or systems.
Yes. Submitting a challenge is fully free.
No. Clear problem descriptions are all that’s needed.
Cities, public agencies, enterprises, foundations, NGOs, and institutions.
Your challenge is reviewed by our research team and included in our synthesis.
Selected challenges will appear in the Top 100 Human+AI Problems Report.
Yes.
No. Attribution may be included with permission.
