Everything students ask before they register.

A hackathon is a time-limited competition where teams build a working solution to a real problem and present it to judges. In AI Future Makers Bootcamp 2026, teams choose one of five real workplace problems, build an AI-powered prototype over about four weeks, and pitch it to industry judges.

Any university student in Malaysia — diploma, undergraduate, or foundation level, from any discipline.

No. Many modern AI tools require little to no coding. Curiosity and follow-through matter more than a computer science background.

Yes — business, marketing, design, finance and communications students are welcome and bring skills technical teams often lack.

Bootcamp registration has closed. You can still register to attend the Grand Final in Penang on 7 Nov 2026.

The registration fee is a commitment fee to participate in the AI Future Makers Bootcamp 2026, covering your participation in the competition journey through to the final pitching stage.

Workshops, AI discovery sessions and industry exposure are additional value-added activities provided as part of the programme and are not separately charged under the RM50 fee.

Bootcamp registration closed on . Grand Final attendance registration remains open.

Refund policy will be confirmed by the organising committee — contact for the latest.

Yes, please bring your own laptop for workshops and the build period.

You choose the workplace problem you care about when registering. The organising team confirms the final assignment.

Choose from five real workplace problems: discovering talent beyond the CV, matching talent better, hiring fairer and faster, understanding early employee disengagement, or growing purpose, potential and careers. See the Workplace Problems section.

Yes. AI Future Makers Bootcamp 2026 is a four-week AI hackathon open to university students in Malaysia from any discipline. It is powered by PDX (Penang Digitalisation – AI Conference & Exhibition) and co-hosted by CKM, with RM10,000 in prizes and a Grand Final in Penang on 7 Nov 2026.

Teams are – students.

Yes. You can register and participate independently as a solo participant from the start of the programme through the Grand Final. The organising team does not match solo participants into teams.

Yes. Students from different colleges or universities can form a team together, with 1 to 5 participants per team.

A basic working web app, dashboard, or AI-supported digital tool that responds to your chosen workplace problem.

About four weeks — online workshops, a build period, Round 1 pitching, and the Grand Final on .

Any AI tool that genuinely helps solve your chosen workplace problem — no-code builders, LLM APIs, or custom models are all fair game.

Yes — online workshops from to cover AI discovery, tools, and pitching skills.

Yes, Round 1 runs online, judged by industry mentors.

Each team is given minutes to pitch.

Problem Identification & Understanding (15%), AI Solution & Functionality (20%), Innovation & Creativity (20%), Business & Economic Impact (15%), ESG Impact (10%), and Pitch, Live Demo & Teamwork (20%).

Yes. The programme includes online AI workshops on AI discovery, practical AI tools and pitching skills. The 2026 workshop sessions were scheduled for 3–4 Oct 2026, followed by a build period (5–22 Oct), online Round 1 pitching (24–25 Oct) and the Grand Final (7 Nov).

No. Bootcamp registration closed on 16 Oct 2026. You can still register to attend the Grand Final in Penang on 7 Nov 2026.

at — a physical, in-person event.

Judges score every team during Round 1; the Top 20 Finalists are shortlisted for the Grand Final.

Yes — industry speakers, mentors and judges from real companies take part throughout.

RM10,000 in total —

All participants receive a . Finalists also receive .

No. It creates genuine industry exposure and networking opportunities — what you do with it is up to you.

Reach out to — we welcome speakers, mentors, judges and talent partners.

AI Future Makers Bootcamp is powered by PDX (Penang Digitalisation – AI Conference & Exhibition) and co-hosted by CKM (Agensi Pekerjaan CKM Sdn Bhd).

For programme-related communication and relevant internship or career opportunities, with your explicit consent provided when submitting the registration form.

Quality Education, Decent Work & Economic Growth, Industry Innovation & Infrastructure, and Partnerships for the Goals.