The University of Twente is hosting the fifth edition of the Hackathon on Artificial Intelligence in Education, a three-day event designed to foster innovation at the intersection of technology and learning. Scheduled for April 8, 9, and 10, 2026, this jubilee edition invites multidisciplinary teams from all educational sectors to tackle current challenges and develop tangible AI solutions. Participants will collaborate intensively, guided by experts, to create applications that can make a real impact on education, with a particular focus on enhancing feedback mechanisms for pupils and students.
Program Overview
• Event: The Hackathon on Artificial Intelligence in Education, fifth edition.
• Objective: To have multidisciplinary teams actively develop an applicable AI solution for a concrete educational challenge over three days.
• Format: 12 teams from secondary, vocational, higher professional, and university education will work on current educational issues related to AI.
• Guidance: Each team will be supported daily by experienced AI and education experts, referred to as 'Jedi’s'.
• Outcome: On the final day, all teams will present their developed AI applications to an expert jury, which will evaluate the solutions and select a winning team.
Participant Information
• Target Audience: The event is open to teachers, school leaders, managers, students, pupils, and other interested professionals from all levels of education (PO, VO, MBO, and higher education).
• Team Composition: Teams should consist of 6–8 people. Multidisciplinary teams that include pupils or students are preferred.
• Prerequisites: While knowledge of Artificial Intelligence is an advantage, it is not a requirement for participation, as expert support will be available.
Event Logistics
• Dates: April 8, 9, & 10, 2026.
• Location: The hackathon will take place at the University of Twente, primarily in the DesignLab and U-park Hotel.
• Cost: Participation is free of charge and includes catering. A fee of €50 will be charged in the case of a no-show or late cancellation.
• Accommodation: Accommodation is not included. Participants are responsible for their own arrangements, with suggestions including the U-Park Hotel Enschede or De Broeierd Enschede.
Application Details
• Capacity: There is a maximum capacity of 12 teams.
• Selection Process: If registrations exceed available spots, a selection will be made to ensure a diverse mix of educational sectors. The first 12 complete registrations are guaranteed a place, with subsequent teams added to a waiting list.
• Registration Deadline: The deadline to register is March 20, 2026.
• Confirmation: Applicants will be notified via email shortly after the deadline whether their team can participate.
• Inquiries: For any questions, please contact pro-u@utwente.nl.
Program Schedule
• April 8: The event kicks off at the U-park Hotel with a walk-in, an opening ceremony featuring an inspiration session, and a welcome dinner.
• April 9: The day is held at the DesignLab and is dedicated to team work, supported by Jedi's, and includes inspiration sessions from Maurice van Keulen and Prof. Ronald Stolk, with lunch and dinner provided.
• April 10: Teams finalize their projects at the DesignLab, attend a final inspiration session, and present their solutions to the jury, culminating in the announcement of the winners.
Featured Sessions & Speakers
• Maurice van Keulen: This session will explore threats to the robustness of analytics and AI, such as poor data quality and undesirable reasoning, for a non-technical audience.
• Ronald Stolk: This session, titled "Digital autonomy in education," will address the educational sector's dependence on big tech companies, data privacy concerns, and potential alternatives.
Past Successes and Future Impact
• Previous Solutions: Past editions have produced innovative AI tools for personalized feedback, smart test generators, student reflection tools, and AI assistants for planning and motivation.
• Continued Development: Winning teams from previous years have successfully advanced their projects into pilots and practical implementations through collaborations with partners like NOLAI and Npuls.
Organizers and Partners
• Lead Organizer: The University of Twente.
• Collaborators: The event is organized in collaboration with a wide network of partners, including the AID‑E Network, CELT, CEE, DSI, LISA, Pre‑U, Pro‑U, TELT, DesignLab, the CODE research group, the ELAN research group, AIC4NL, Npuls, and NOLAI.
This hackathon presents a unique opportunity for educators, students, and technology enthusiasts to collaborate on shaping the future of learning. By building on the success of previous editions, the event aims to inspire and facilitate the creation of the next generation of AI applications that will provide meaningful support within the educational landscape. Interested teams are encouraged to register to secure their place in this forward-thinking initiative.