Online AIS Software Innovation Challenge (2026)

The mission statement of AIS is as follows:

“The Association for Information Systems (AIS) serves society through the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of excellence in the practice and study of information systems. AIS is the premier professional association for individuals and organizations who lead the research, teaching, practice, and study of information systems worldwide.”

As students and future practitioners of Information Systems (IS), you play a significant part in this mission to serve society. The AIS Student Chapters Technology Innovation Challenge focuses on information systems solutions, innovations and initiatives that help make the world a better, safer place for organizations and society in general.

This challenge will allow you to demonstrate the impact that IS can have in improving the world in which live. If you accept this challenge, your team of 2-5 individuals will design and implement an innovative IS solution fitting one of the parameters below. (Groups of fewer than 3 individuals are not encouraged, but a submission would not be rejected because of it.)  Your solution may run on any platform, be coded in any language and deployed in any device environment. Projects that implement an IoT solution are particularly welcome.

Topic areas could also focus around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by a multitude of countries on September 25th 2015, with objectives such as ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all. Each of the 17 goals has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

Goals include:

• No poverty
• Zero hunger
• Good health and well-being
• Quality education
• Gender equality
• Clean water and sanitation
• Affordable and clean energy
• Decent work and economic growth
• Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
• Reduced inequalities
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Responsible consumption and production
• Climate action
• Life below water
• Life on land
• Peace, justice, and strong institutions
• Partnerships for the goals

Successful submissions will propose an IS/IT-centered solution to a problem or opportunity that addresses one of the 17 sustainable development goals. Participants are encouraged to be creative and think out of the box to develop an innovative solution to an identified problem.

For more details about the UN Sustainable Development Goals go to https://sdgs.un.org/goals.

Questions? Contact studentcompetitions@aisnet.org

• The project submissions should be the work of the project team. If faculty and/or other individuals have significantly contributed to the submission, please be sure to note their contributions.
• Alpha / Early development system solutions are completely acceptable.
• Submissions that are based on pre-beta solutions and/or from pre-existing on-going coursework projects are acceptable as well.
• The contest materials must be submitted by the due dates.
• All team members must be active members of an AIS Student Chapter in good standing.
• Teams may consist of undergraduate and graduate students, however all teams must include at least one undergraduate student for consideration.
• To participate, each team must give permission for recorded material to be posted in the AIS eLibrary for discussion after the competition deadline.
• No deliverable can identify the university or school to which the team belongs. The team must refrain from using school colors in the submitted documents. The video should not indicate to which school the team belongs. If school identification is included in any of the submitted documents or video, the team will be eliminated from the competition. 

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Each student team must submit two deliverables using this link:

1. PDF Report

Your PDF should include:

• Problem Description: The problem your team has chosen, why it matters, and the potential impact of solving it.

• Proposed Solution: A written description of your solution, supported by diagrams (e.g., solution components, architecture, platform, etc.).

• Innovation: An explanation of what makes your solution unique. How does it differ from existing solutions? Why is it special?

• Business Considerations: Key business aspects such as:

  • Target audience

  • How you will promote your solution so people know it exists

  • How you plan to sustain operations (e.g., sales, advertising, grants, etc.)

• Team Introduction: A short introduction of each team member, including their role on the project. Do not include any information that could identify your school.

2. Video Submission

Provide a video link that meets the following requirements:

• Length: 5 minutes maximum

• Content:

  • Briefly introduce the problem and solution

  • Include a demo of your alpha prototype (if applicable). It does not need to be fully developed. Judges are looking to see that you have considered the technological aspects and that the demo reflects what you described in your PDF report.

• Participation: All team members must appear in the video

• Anonymity: Do not use school colors, logos, or any identifiers. The video must not reveal which school the team represents.

Finalists will be notified and invited to participate in a Q&A session with judges the week of October 26-30. 

• For this session, teams should prepare a 5-minute live presentation for our panel of judges. The judges will ask questions following the presentation.
• Select teams will also be invited to make this presenation in the showcase during the SCOLC November 6. 

Note:  Each slide deck must contain a title slide including the names of the team members (no email addresses or other contact information). The team should not identify its school affiliation on the title slide or anywhere else in the slide deck, nor should it mention that affiliation (directly or indirectly) during its presentation. Team members should refrain from wearing school colors.