Innovate UNCG | AI Innovation Challenge

AI Innovation Challenge

The AI Innovation Challenge is a dynamic gathering of faculty, students, industry partners, and community leaders united by a single goal: exploring how artificial intelligence can address today’s most pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities for the future.  

Participants will imagine, design, and pitch forward-thinking AI solutions that bridge research and real-world application. 

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This year’s challenge highlights projects that:

  • Leverage AI to advance research and discovery
  • Develop AI-based tools with potential for commercialization 
  • Apply AI to create measurable benefits for industry, community, and society 

About the Challenge 

At UNC Greensboro, we believe meaningful change happens at the intersection of ideas, expertise, and collaboration.

The Innovation Challenge is designed to: 

  • Empower the next generation of leaders in AI innovation 
  • Showcase UNCG’s strength in applied, interdisciplinary research 
  • Inspire responsible, inclusive, and impactful approaches to technology 

Why This Matters:

AI is transforming every sector—from healthcare and business to education, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the creative economy. By hosting this challenge, UNCG is: 

  • Aligning with national priorities in workforce development, economic growth, and responsible technology 
  • Creating solutions with real commercial potential and societal benefit 
  • Building bridges between research, industry, and community impact 

Key Challenge Areas 

  • Health & Life Sciences – diagnostics, personalized medicine, healthcare delivery 
  • FinTech & Business – fraud prevention, equitable access, financial security 
  • Education – personalized learning, student achievement, AI-enabled tools 
  • Sustainability & Climate – smart cities, energy efficiency, environmental protection 
  • Cybersecurity & Defense – digital resilience, threat detection, secure systems 
  • Creative Industries – AI in music, design, film, and digital storytelling 

Team Requirements 

Each team may have up to 4 participants. The team must be made primarily of UNCG scholar(s) and must have a UNCG faculty advisor. (undergraduate or graduate student)   

Note: Applicants are not required to disclose patentable details.
For IP concerns, please contact Innovate UNCG before submitting. 

Awards & Recognition 

Winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges representing faculty, alumni, and industry partners. 

Grand Prize: $5,000
1st Runner-Up: $3,500
2nd Runner-Up: $2,500

All finalists will receive feedback and may be connected with mentors and pathways to further develop their ideas. 

For Sponsors & Partners 

Your support directly advances UNCG’s mission to: 

  • Empower students with hands-on innovation experiences 
  • Fuel interdisciplinary AI research 
  • Strengthen community and industry partnerships  

Get Involved 

You don’t have to compete to contribute! 

  • Mentor a Team – Share expertise with student innovators 
  • Judge the Competition – Help evaluate and recognize the best ideas 
  • Volunteer at the Event – Assist with logistics and networking  Sponsor the Challenge – Invest in the future of AI innovation 
Be a Sponsor!

Contact 

For questions about participation, sponsorship, or volunteering, please contact: Jan Szelkowski at jiszelko@uncg.edu 

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