Rise Networks, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Meta, Google, Microsoft and different companions, has launched a man-made intelligence hackathon to develop expertise options to electoral challenges ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 common elections.
The #AI4Elections Hackathon 2026–2027 will convey collectively Nigerian builders, researchers, college college students, electoral consultants, and civil society organisations to develop sensible, accountable AI instruments to help electoral processes, in response to a press release the organisers shared with PREMIUM TIMES.
Participants shall be competing for a complete of N10 million in money prizes throughout all classes. The general winner will obtain N4 million, whereas the second- and third-place winners will obtain N2.5 million and N1.5 million, respectively.
Four extra awards of N500,000 every will recognise excellent tasks in analysis and coverage innovation, electoral and civic inclusion, accountable AI and security, and cybersecurity and resilience.
Applications opened on 22 October and can shut on 12 November, adopted by a nationwide grand finale and innovation showcase in Lagos on 16 December, then technical help for chosen tasks.
Other companions within the initiative embody the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), NITHUB on the University of Lagos, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), CLEEN Foundation, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, the International Press Centre, Legal Naija, Ahmadu Bello University and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
The programme is supported by the MacArthur Foundation and Luminate.
About Competition
In a press release saying the initiative, the organisers stated the competitors would concentrate on addressing challenges reminiscent of misinformation, AI-generated faux photographs and movies, cybersecurity threats, privateness dangers and entry to dependable electoral info.
Rise Networks stated the programme would mix the hackathon with an AI4Elections Development Hub to help the testing and refinement of promising options, and an Electoral Community of Practice to maintain collaboration amongst innovators, researchers, mentors, and different stakeholders.
The initiative builds on Run-Am, an AI-powered misinformation detection and fact-checking cell utility developed by Rise Networks for Nigeria’s 2023 common elections.
Speaking on the initiative, Rise Networks founder Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji stated it goals to make sure AI innovation strengthens Nigeria’s electoral course of quite than introducing new dangers, stressing the necessity to defend residents’ rights and uphold transparency, privateness, and human oversight.
Ms Akerele-Ogunsiji stated Nigeria should actively use synthetic intelligence to safeguard electoral integrity, enhance entry to dependable info, and construct public confidence in democratic establishments.
“Our ambition is not to introduce technology for technology’s sake,” she stated. “We are committed to promoting responsible AI innovation that respects the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, protects citizens’ rights, and prioritises transparency, privacy, and human oversight. Innovation must strengthen our democracy, not create new vulnerabilities for it.”
Eligibility, utility
The competitors will cowl 5 areas: reliable electoral info; electoral information evaluation and resolution help; inclusive and multilingual electoral and civic expertise; electoral cybersecurity and resilience; and election remark and citizen accountability. Climate resilience and environmental innovation shall be an optionally available cross-cutting space.
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“The #AI4Elections Hackathon is specifically designed as a design and development competition, and participants are expected to use Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to develop working solutions addressing clearly defined electoral challenges rather than submit ideas, presentations, or “mock-ups alone, ” the assertion stated.
The hackathon is open to Nigerians aged 18 and above, together with college students, researchers, software program builders, information scientists, cybersecurity professionals, expertise entrepreneurs and civil society practitioners. Applicants could take part individually or in groups of as much as 4 members.
The organisers stated entries should be submitted in English.
It added that tasks which have beforehand acquired grants, awards or recognition in different competitions won’t be accepted.
Organisers stated entries shall be assessed on technical performance, innovation, relevance to electoral challenges, sensible usefulness, cybersecurity, privateness safety, accountable AI practices, scalability and feasibility.
“Unauthorised testing of live electoral systems or access to institutional infrastructure is strictly prohibited, and winning the competition does not constitute approval for operational deployment. Any future institutional pilot or deployment remains subject to relevant legal, institutional, technical and security approvals,” the assertion added.
“Interested applicants can find eligibility requirements and application details at ai4elections.risenetworks.org.”
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