ABOUT YOUTH CODE FOUNDATION

YouthCodeFoundation is a youth-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making technology education accessible, exciting, and real for students across New Jersey and all over the world. This company is managed by the Youth for the Youth!!

https://www.youthcodefoundation.org/ 

Hackathon landing page: https://www.youthcodefoundation.org/hackathon 

THE YCFxAI CHALLENGE

"Youth Code x AI" is not a typical hackathon. It's a movement designed by Ashwika and the Youth Code Foundation to flip the narrative: instead of fearing AI, high schoolers will leave this event armed with real skills, real connections, and real confidence about where they're headed.

We are all seeing AI becoming baseline for every aspect of business and day today life. Let us invoke the power hands-on. Over two weeks, students will explore how AI is reshaping various industries. We are laying out five tracks but by no means do you have to limit yourself to these tracks, you can choose to build anything you are passionate about.

We are deeply thankful to our sponsors for their support. To fund the event and prize money, we are also running a fundraiser — and every dollar raised will go directly to our participants as prizes and to the Akhil Autism Foundation.

Following are the 5 tracks:

Track 01
Money, Jobs & AI — Will AI Steal My Future?
Spoiler: no. But it will change everything about how finance and accounting work. Build something that shows what AI actually does in the real money world — budgeting tools, expense analyzers, audit bots.

Track 02
I'm a Creator — Should I Be Scared of AI?
You already make content. Now imagine doing it 10x faster with AI as your co-creator. Build tools that help YouTubers, TikTokers, or writers plan, create, and grow — without losing their voice. Make an advertisement or any short movie using AI tool(s). The creators who win will be the ones who figure this out first. AI won't replace creators — but creators who use AI will replace those who don't. Build workflows, tools, or platforms that supercharge creative output.

Track 03
AI That Actually Helps People
What if you built something that genuinely made someone's life better? Mental health check-ins, tools for people with disabilities, local community helpers — this track is for builders who want their first project to mean something beyond just "it works." Build something that matters. Use AI to solve real community problems, from accessibility tools for neurodiverse individuals to local resource finders.

Track 04
What Do I Even Do With My Life? (AI Can Help)
Career planning is broken for our generation. Build something that helps students figure out what careers exist, what skills they need, and what to do right now. Resume tools, college major explorers, AI interview coaches — this one hits close to home for all of us.

Track 05 (Open Track)
I Have an Idea — AI Helps Me Build It
You don't need a team of 50 engineers anymore. With AI tools, a high schooler can build something that looks and works like a real startup. Pick a problem you've actually experienced, build a prototype, and pitch it like you mean it. No idea is too small to start.

Q&A panels with industry professionals, and their own hackathon builds. Every dollar raised from sponsors goes directly to prizes and to a cause that matters.

• Best original idea
  An idea that looks fresh. We understand there will be overlaps, but you can sense original innovation.
• Best Presentation
  Demonstrating, packaging and presenting the idea in the best and innovative way.
• Best Social Value
  This prize is to the person who's project is the most socially beneficial.
• Best UI/UX experience
  Best interface interaction, graphics, etc