You asked. We listened.

Now everyone can build!

Big update and even bigger doors just opened! You spoke, we listened, and the message came through loud and clear. Based on the overwhelming feedback from students across institutes, we have expanded eligibility.

AI Unlocked is now open to students from all engineering branches. Click here to see details.

Along with the engineering streams, students enrolled in full time Design programs at IITs and the National Institute of Design are also eligible.

Full time management students from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, XLRI, and Indian School of Business can participate too.

KNOW MORE    PARTICIPATING INSTITUTES

Team Up or Go Solo

Choose your build style - fly solo or join forces and create something remarkable together.

Individual Sign Up

Register as an Individual Contributor

You can register for AI Unlocked as an Individual Contributor if you prefer to participate solo and own your idea end to end. Individual participants must still meet all eligibility criteria and will submit ideas and prototypes independently, without adding team members later, so choose this option only if you are confident about building and delivering your solution within the given timelines.

REGISTER
Team Sign Up

Register as a Team

You can also register as a Team if you want to collaborate and build your solution together with peers from your institute. Each team must have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members, all from the same institute only, and cross institute teams are not allowed, so finalize your team carefully before registering, assigning clear roles and responsibilities so your group can move fast and build effectively.

REGISTER

Six AI Challenge Areas. Choose one.

You’ll see six exciting challenge areas in AI Unlocked, but each team must choose only one and go all in. Two weeks may sound generous, but in build-time it moves like fast-forward mode, so focus your energy on one strong idea and execute it well instead of spreading yourself thin across multiple concepts. Depth beats breadth here, every single time.

The Productivity Flow

Track 1

The Productivity Flow

The world of work is undergoing a massive shift. People are increasingly relying on AI for everyday tasks—from writing and organizing to decision-making and automation. Organizations across industries are now adopting AI-powered tools to enhance productivity, reduce repetitive work, and enable employees to focus on creative, strategic problem-solving.

As the next generation of product builders, students have an opportunity to shape how the future workforce interacts with AI. This track challenges you to imagine, design, and prototype an AI-driven solution that can meaningfully improve workplace productivity.

Explore the Microsoft stack with Azure credits and build where productivity meets intelligence.

Unlock with Azure: Explore Azure OpenAI Service for context awareness, Microsoft Graph API for workplace data, and Azure AI Translator for multilingual support.

Prefer another tech path? That’s perfectly fine too - use any tools that work best for you.

AI for India

Track 2

AI for India

Create AI solutions that tackle real problems - cleaner air and water monitoring, smarter energy consumption, education that reaches every child, and digital services in the languages people actually speak.

Your solution should work on spotty internet, show transparent impact metrics (like emissions saved or people reached), and be ready to pilot in real communities tomorrow.

Dive into Microsoft’s AI and cloud tools with Azure credits and build solutions that can drive India-first, community-focused impact.

Unlock with Azure: Explore Azure Maps for environmental tracking, Azure AI Speech for local dialects, and Azure IoT Hub for energy monitoring data.

If you’re more comfortable with another stack, you’re free to use that instead.

AI Study Buddy

Track 3

AI Study Buddy

Build an app that sees your messy handwritten notes, reads them aloud, breaks down complex concepts, and quizzes you in both English and your favorite Indian language - making studying actually engaging instead of exhausting.

This is about multimodal AI that understands images, text, and speech to create personalized learning experiences that stick.

Experiment with Microsoft’s AI ecosystem using Azure credits and see how vision, speech, and language models work together in one platform.

Unlock with Azure: Explore GPT-4o with Vision (via Azure OpenAI) to analyze images, and Azure AI Speech services for text-to-speech capabilities.

You’re also welcome to build with any framework you already know and love.

AI Agents

Track 4

Agent Teamwork

Orchestrate three cooperating AI agents - a planner who maps the strategy, a retriever who fetches the right resources, and an executor who gets things done - all working in harmony to solve multi-step challenges like creating a complete semester plan with deadlines and reminders. This is distributed AI architecture at its finest, containerized and scalable.

Use your Azure credits to explore Microsoft’s container and orchestration ecosystem and see how agent-based systems scale in the cloud.

Unlock with Azure: Explore Microsoft AutoGen or Semantic Kernel for agent orchestration, and deploy using Azure Container Apps.

Prefer your existing toolchain like Docker or Kubernetes elsewhere? Go right ahead.

AI Safety

Track 5

Trustworthy AI

AI systems are powerful, but they’re also vulnerable - prompt injection attacks, poisoned training data, model theft, and adversarial misuse are real threats that need real solutions.

Build monitoring frameworks, defense mechanisms, and resilient architectures that protect AI pipelines from attackers trying to break, steal, or manipulate your models.

Leverage Azure credits to try Microsoft’s security-first AI infrastructure and enterprise-grade protection capabilities.

Unlock with Azure: Explore Azure AI Content Safety to detect jailbreaks, and Azure Machine Learning for robust model monitoring and management.

You may also use any security tools and platforms you trust.

The Next Billion Builders

Track 6

The Next Billion Builders

Give everyone a cape. Participants can build tools that help anyone - from beginners to seasoned devs - turn ideas into production-ready multi-agent apps using AI (e.g. M365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Clawdbot and others).

Think coding copilots, testing agents, data-to-app pipelines, MCP servers exposing campus or enterprise services, or Foundry agents that become reusable building blocks. The goal is to remove friction, accelerate learning, and help builders ship confidently and joyfully.

Tap into Microsoft’s AI platform with Azure credits and build with tools designed to accelerate modern builders.

Unlock with Azure: Explore GitHub Copilot Extensions to build custom dev tools, and Azure AI Foundry to create reusable agentic building blocks.

And if you’d rather work with a different stack, that option is always open.

Microsoft Azure

Unlock Azure. Unlock Possibilities.

Teams whose ideas are selected in Phase 2: Submit Idea will unlock access to the next stage of AI Unlocked, where concepts turn into real, working prototypes. Selected teams will also receive $150 Azure credits per team to help you build, test, and run your solution using Microsoft AI and cloud services. You can use these credits to experiment, deploy, and scale your prototype on Azure while exploring the Microsoft AI ecosystem as you bring your idea to life.

See more prizes.

REGISTER   SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

Phases

AI Unlocked moves in six clear phases - Register, Submit your Idea, Submit your 1st Prototype, Mentoring by Microsoft Experts, Submit your final Prototype, followed by a Grand Finale. You sign up, skill up through guided sessions, turn ideas into working AI prototypes, and wrap it all up by showcasing what you’ve built.

Register
Phase 1
Register

Choose your build style - fly solo or join forces and create something remarkable together.
Whether you are a coder, designer, or strategist, your journey starts by locking in your spot.

Registration window   Feb 06 - Feb 17, 2026

REGISTER

Phase 2 - Idea Screening
Phase 2
Submit Idea

In this phase, you only need to submit your idea - no prototype required yet. If your idea is approved by the review panel, you’ll move forward to the next stage of AI Unlocked.

Download this Idea Submission Template and use it as your guide to structure and present your idea clearly and completely before you upload your document in the submission form.

Registration window   Feb 7 - Feb 17, 2026

SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

Idea Evaluation
Phase 3
Submit 1st Prototype

The top 250 teams selected in Phase 2 will move ahead to roll up their sleeves and build their first working prototype. This is where your idea steps out of the document and onto the screen, so focus on creating a functional, testable version that clearly shows your core concept in action.

Registration window   Feb 22 - Mar 08, 2026

SUBMIT 1st PROTOTYPE

Mentoring
Phase 4
Mentoring

Top 50 teams selected in Phase 3 will be connected to Microsoft experts who will guide you as you refine your first prototype into a working product. You’ll get practical direction on architecture, AI services, design choices, and implementation approaches so you can avoid common pitfalls and build with clarity and confidence.

Come prepared with questions, demos, and rough edges - mentoring works best when you bring your real work to the table and iterate fast.

Registration window   Mar 17 - Mar 24, 2026

SEE SCHEDULE

Submit Prototype
Phase 5
Submit final Prototype

This is your moment to turn guidance into a working creation. Make the most of your mentoring sessions, refine your core features, tighten your user experience, and build a prototype that clearly shows what your idea can do.

Focus on doing a few things really well, test it thoroughly, and submit before the deadline so your hard work gets the spotlight it deserves.

Registration window   Mar 25 - Mar 26, 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PROTOTYPE

Grand Finale
Phase 6
Grand Finale

The top 10 teams from the program will be invited to the Microsoft HQ in Noida to present a live demo of their solution in front of the Microsoft leadership team.

This is the final showdown where your prototype, pitch, and product thinking come together on the big stage.

Registration window   April 10, 2026

All about Submissions

What to submit in Idea Submission Phase (Phase 2)

  • Submit a maximum 4-page document (PDF only) that clearly presents your idea; you may include architecture diagrams, flowcharts, or simple visuals to explain the concept.
  • Include a clear project title, chosen challenge track, and the problem statement you are addressing, along with who the solution is meant for.
  • Provide a concise but comprehensive description of your proposed solution, its core features, how AI is used, and the expected outcome or impact.
  • Clearly explain how your idea aligns with the selected track, and mention your planned technology stack (including whether you intend to use Microsoft Azure).
  • Download the Idea Submission Template provided here and use it as your guide to structure and present your idea clearly and completely before you upload your document in the submission form.

    DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE   SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

How to submit your Prototype (Phase 3 & Phase 5)

  • 3-minute video demo (mandatory): Provide a short video demo showing your product in action and explaining key features and flow. Simple screen recording is perfectly fine. Host it on a file or video sharing platform and submit a public or unlisted link, but make sure judges can open it without requesting access.
  • Source code repository link (optional): You may submit your source code repository link (GitHub or Bitbucket) through the submission form if your prototype includes code. This is optional, not mandatory. If you built your solution using low-code, no-code, vibe-coding tools, design systems, or mockup platforms, you can submit your working prototype assets instead. If you do share a repository, ensure judges can access it without permission barriers.
  • Presentation deck (optional): You may upload a short presentation of about 10 slides explaining your idea, problem statement, features, design decisions, architecture approach, and primary use cases to help judges quickly understand your solution.
  • Supporting artifacts (optional): You may also include supporting materials such as architecture diagrams, flowcharts, wireframes, mockups, design specs, or product notes. These are optional but strongly recommended, especially for design-first or no-code prototypes, as they improve clarity and evaluation quality.

Guidelines for your Video Demo

  • Record a short video demo of your product in action; professional production is not required - simple screen recording is perfectly acceptable.
  • Clearly explain what your product does, its key features, and how it works end to end, and keep the video strictly under 3 minutes.
  • Upload the video to a platform like OneDrive, Google Drive, YouTube, or Vimeo and submit the link in the submission form; unlisted links are fine if anyone with the link can view.
  • Make sure the link is fully accessible without passwords or permission requests - if judges cannot open your video, you may lose important evaluation points.

Learn

Learning is a core part of AI Unlocked - so mark your calendars. Throughout AI Unlocked, you’ll have access to in-depth workshops, AMAs, leadership sessions, and fireside chats designed to help you understand the challenges, learn practical AI concepts, and apply them directly to building your product. The workshops are especially important - they’re where ideas click, skills sharpen, and your prototype really starts taking shape.

Session Title Date Timing (IST) Action
Launch We’re live! AI Unlocked begins today. Ready to build the future? Feb 06 4:30 - 5:30 PM CALL OVER
Launch Watch the Launch Video!     WATCH RECORDING
Launch Register your Team Feb 06 - 17 Open now REGISTER
Launch Submit your Idea Feb 07 - 17 Open now SUBMIT YOUR IDEA
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Feb 10 6:00 - 7:00 PM CALL OVER
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Feb 12 6:00 - 7:00 PM CALL OVER
Workshop Azure AI Fundamentals & Building Your First Agent Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
Workshop Advanced Agent Patterns - RAG, Multi-Agent Systems & Data Integration Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
Workshop Security, Governance & Responsible AI Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
Workshop Production Deployment, Integration Patterns Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
AMA Session Ask me anything about AI Unlocked Coming soon... Coming soon... JOIN THE CALL
Submit your solution Submit your Solution Coming soon... Coming soon... SUBMIT
Leaderboard Announcement Leaderboard Announcement Coming soon...

Fun Quizzes

During AI Unlocked, we'll drop fun pop-quizzes and short online tests from time to time to help you check your understanding of the key ideas covered in the workshops, AMAs, fireside chats, and leadership sessions. These quick assessments are your chance to see how much you've leveled up - and they’re designed to be fast, engaging, and super helpful for reinforcing what you've learned before you dive into building.

TAKE THE QUIZ

What do you unlock by participating?

AI Unlocked is not just a build challenge, it is a prize vault waiting to be cracked open by sharp ideas and well built prototypes. From big wins for top teams in each challenge area to special awards for standout innovation, Azure powered builds, and community champions who spread the word, there are rewards stacked in multiple lanes. Show up, build smart, and ship something impressive, because when you unlock AI here, the prizes unlock right back at you.

Prizes and Gifts to be won
Cash Prizes
Cash Prizes!

Cash prizes for the Top 3 teams worth Rs. 1,00,000, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 50,000 respectively.

Azure Credits
Azure Credits!

$150 Azure credits per team to help you build and run your solution using Microsoft AI services.

Trip to Microsoft HQ
All-Expenses Paid Trip!

An all-expenses paid trip for the Top 10 teams to the Microsoft HQ in Noida for the Grand Finale.

Masterclass
Masterclasses!

Microsoft-led AI masterclasses that give you structured, expert guidance on real-world AI concepts and applications.

Mentorship
Mentorship!

Dedicated mentorship for the Top 50 teams from Microsoft subject matter experts to help sharpen your prototype.

Visibility
Spotlight!

Direct visibility with Microsoft leaders and teams through access to an exclusive LinkedIn community.

Join the Community

AI Unlocked doesn’t end when submissions close - our community keeps going. Join our online space to stay connected after AI Unlocked with updates on upcoming events, workshops, meetups, learning resources, and new opportunities to build and collaborate.

It’s also where we share project showcases, challenges, internships, speaker sessions, and the occasional surprise drop - so if you like learning, building, and staying plugged into what’s next in AI, this is the place to be.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Questions?

The hackathon is now open to students from every engineering branch.

Along with all engineering streams, students enrolled in full time Design programs at IITs and the National Institute of Design are also eligible.

Full time management students from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, XLRI, and Indian School of Business can participate too.

SEE DETAILS

No. Participation in AI Unlocked is completely free. There are no registration or submission fees.

Choose your build style - fly solo or join forces and create something remarkable together.

You can register for AI Unlocked as an Individual Contributor if you prefer to participate solo and own your idea end to end. Individual participants must still meet all eligibility criteria and will submit ideas and prototypes independently, without adding team members later, so choose this option only if you are confident about building and delivering your solution within the given timelines.

You can also register as a Team if you want to collaborate and build your solution together with peers from your institute. Each team must have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members, all from the same institute only, and cross institute teams are not allowed, so finalize your team carefully before registering, assigning clear roles and responsibilities so your group can move fast and build effectively.

No. All members of a team must belong to the same institute. Cross-institute teams are not allowed.

We highly recommend using Microsoft technologies, but it is not mandatory. You may use any tech stack you prefer. There are special award categories for teams that demonstrate strong and meaningful use of Azure, so use it if you want to compete for those prizes.

Azure credits are provided only if your idea is selected in Phase 2 - Submit Idea.

There are six challenge tracks, and each team or participant must choose only one track to submit under. Your submission will be evaluated within that selected category.

In the Idea Screening phase, you submit a short document explaining your idea and approach. If your idea is approved by the review panel, you move forward to the build phase.

Final submissions include a code repository link, a 3-minute video demo, and optionally a presentation and supporting documents like architecture diagrams or flowcharts. All required links must be accessible to judges without permission barriers.

Yes. AI Unlocked includes workshops, AMAs, leadership sessions, and expert talks to help you understand AI concepts and apply them while building your prototype. The workshops are especially important for guiding your implementation.

Support

If you run into any bumps at any stage of AI Unlocked, just drop us a mail at indiaeip@microsoft.com and our support team will help you get back on track as quickly as possible so your build journey keeps moving forward.

EMAIL US