Detroit · Michigan · May 15-17 2026 · Powered by IBM & Google

HACK MICHIGAN

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Register Now Become a Sponsor

IBM platform access code: HACKMI

Michigan was built by innovators—and it's time to innovate again. Build an AI + open-source proof of concept that modernizes a Michigan industry. Solve a real problem, create real value, and keep innovation rooted right here at home.

Call for sponsors Why HackMI? Rules & judging

About Hack Michigan

Michigan was built by innovators, and it’s time to innovate again. Use AI and open source to build a proof-of-concept that modernizes a Michigan industry and keeps opportunity rooted here.

Deliver a working prototype and a brief presentation that tells the story of the problem you’re solving, why your solution matters, and how it helps strengthen Michigan’s future.

Possible focus areas

  • Manufacturing
  • Small business
  • Mobility
  • Agriculture
  • Sustainability
  • Education
  • Urban planning

Event details

Save the window—exact schedule and venue will be posted as we finalize logistics.

Dates

May 15-17 2026

Three days in Detroit—switch tabs for the draft agenda (times subject to change).

Day 1 — Arrival & kickoff

  • 2:00 PM
    Check-In & Registration Check-in, badges, drinks & snacks
  • 3:00 PM
    Hackathon Welcome Welcome and opening remarks with Compass Detroit and AI challenge sponsors
  • 3:30 PM
    AI Tools and Provisioning
  • 4:00 PM
    Design for AI Workshop
  • 6:00 PM
    Happy Hour & Networking
  • 8:00 PM
    Hacking Begins

Day 2 — Build

  • 8:00 AM
    Morning Mindfulness & Meditative Yoga
  • 8:00 AM
    Breakfast & Networking
  • 9:00 AM
    How to Win a Hackathon
  • 10:00 AM
    Build with AI Workshops
  • 11:30 AM
    Lunch Break & Networking
  • 12:30 PM
    Build with AI Workshops
  • 2:00 PM
    Workshops Office Hours
  • 6:00 PM
    Dinner Break & Movie Night!
  • 8:00 PM
    Hacking Continues

Day 3 — Ship & celebrate

  • 8:00 AM
    Morning Mindfulness & Meditative Yoga
  • 8:00 AM
    Breakfast & Networking
  • 10:00 AM
    Code Freeze
  • 11:00 AM
    Finish Presentations
  • 12:00 PM
    Project Submission Due
  • 12:00 PM
    Lunch Break & Networking
  • 1:00 PM
    Practice Demos
  • 2:00 PM
    Judging & Awards Top teams invited to present & demo at Michigan Tech Week · May 19–21

Subscribe via registration for final kickoff, judging, and showcase times.

The Challenge

Build an AI proof-of-concept that modernizes Michigan industries and keeps opportunity here.

Michigan stands at a pivotal moment. Once the undisputed engine of American innovation, our state is ready to reclaim its position as a technology leader—not by abandoning our industrial heritage, but by reimagining it for the 21st century.

While Michigan ranks among the top states in manufacturing output, we lag behind in technology adoption and digital transformation. Too often, our brightest minds leave for coastal tech hubs, and Michigan jobs get outsourced elsewhere. The question is simple: how do we use cutting-edge AI to modernize our cornerstone industries while building an ecosystem that makes Michigan a destination—not a departure point?

The stats tell the story

  • Michigan graduates leave the state at higher rates than most, seeking tech opportunities elsewhere
  • Many legacy industries still operate with outdated systems and manual processes
  • Small and medium-sized Michigan businesses cite technology adoption as their #1 barrier to growth
  • Brain drain continues as innovators lack the infrastructure and community to build here
  • Immense untapped potential in AI-driven innovation across manufacturing, supply chain, agriculture, sustainability, education, and urban development

What we’re asking you to build

Using AI and open source technologies, build an innovative proof-of-concept solution that addresses one of these focus areas.

  • Modernizing Michigan Manufacturing AI-powered automation, predictive maintenance, quality control, or supply chain optimization that keeps production and jobs in Michigan.
  • Reinvigorating Main Street Accessible AI tools for customer engagement, inventory management, market analysis, or operations that help small businesses compete without outsourcing.
  • Next-Gen Mobility Autonomous systems, smart infrastructure, or connected vehicle technologies developed and deployed here.
  • Agricultural Innovation AI-driven solutions for precision farming, sustainability, crop management, or food supply chain optimization.
  • Building Michigan’s Innovation Ecosystem Tools that help founders, developers, and communities collaborate, prototype, and scale ventures without leaving the state.
  • Sustainability & Clean Energy Optimize energy use, monitor Great Lakes water quality, manage renewable grids, reduce waste, or accelerate Michigan’s transition to a greener economy.
  • Education & Workforce Development Personalized tutoring, skills gap analysis, retraining platforms, career pathways, and expanded access across rural and urban Michigan.
  • Smart Urban Planning & Community Development Smarter transit, infrastructure planning, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, housing data, and more responsive city services.

Sponsors

Thank you to the organizations powering HackMI 2026. Interested in joining them?

Website Development

Logistics for hackers

What to expect on the ground—full details will live in the participant guide.

Rules

  • Team Size: Participate individually or in teams of up to 5 people.
  • Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older (or age of emancipation in your jurisdiction).
  • Technology Requirement: All submissions must use IBM watsonx technology (watsonx.ai, watsonx.data, or IBM Granite models) or other AI and Open Source technologies.
  • Originality: Projects must be original work created during the hackathon period (May 15-17, 2026).
  • Deliverables: Each submission must include a video demonstration, written problem/solution statements, a statement on technology utilized, and optionally a working code repository.
  • Our goal is a fair, inclusive, and safe event for everyone. Full code of conduct and detailed rules available in the official rules document.

Prizes

  • Top teams will receive cash prizes, IBM and partner swag, mentorship opportunities with Michigan tech leaders, and exclusive access to IBM watsonx resources to continue developing their solutions.
  • Winners will be featured in Hack Michigan media and invited to present and demo their projects at Michigan Tech Week (May 19–21, 2026) — happening in Detroit immediately after the hackathon, putting top teams directly in front of Michigan's broader tech and business community.
  • Full prize details and tiers will be announced at the opening ceremony on May 15, 2026.

Judges

  • Judges from industry and academia will join us in Detroit. Names and backgrounds will be listed once the panel is confirmed.

Judging criteria

Each submission will be scored on the following criteria (maximum 25 points total):

  • Completeness and Feasibility (5 points) Is the solution complete and realistic?
  • Effectiveness and Efficiency (5 points) Does it solve the problem well?
  • Design and Usability (5 points) Is it well-designed and user-friendly?
  • Creativity and Innovation (5 points) Is it innovative and creative?
  • Michigan Impact (5 points) Does it keep value, jobs, and opportunity in Michigan?
  • Your solution should also demonstrate: practical application solving a real Michigan challenge, clear business value, implementability as a working proof-of-concept, and strong storytelling that positions Michigan as a technology innovator.
  • Final scores will be the average of judges' scores based on your submitted deliverables.

IBM Agentic

Build what is next—starting in Detroit

Continue your HackMI journey on the IBM Agentic experience: explore tooling, resources, and registration paths in one place.

Go to IBM Agentic

Access code: HACKMI