Ashwika Tipparaju · Youth Code Foundation presents

YCFxAI Hackathon
2026

AI isn't here to replace you — it's here to amplify what makes you extraordinary. Build, learn, and shape your future at the flagship youth hackathon of the year.

♡  Donate Now Explore Tracks →
Online Hackathon
June 20 – 27, 2026
Winners Announced
July 11, 2026
// What is YCFxAI

AI as Opportunity,
Not a Threat

YCFxAI is a flagship event by the Youth Code Foundation — designed to help young people understand, embrace, and build with AI. Through expert-led sessions, hands-on challenges, and a weeklong hackathon, students discover how AI can empower their futures. All sponsor and fundraising collections support hackathon prizes and a donation to the Akhil Autism Foundation.

🎤

Expert Speakers

Leaders from KPMG, Bank of America, Meta, Apexon, and a PhD student from Columbia University (Computer Science) share real-world insights in moderated Q&A sessions hosted by Ashwika Tipparaju.

💻

Build Real Projects

A weeklong online hackathon on Devpost gives students the chance to build AI-powered solutions across five purposeful tracks — from fintech to creative AI.

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Community Impact

All sponsor and fundraising collections fund hackathon prizes and a donation to the Akhil Autism Foundation — supporting families of neurodiverse children in New Jersey and beyond.

// Meet the Speakers

Industry Leaders.
Real Conversations.

Two days of expert-led sessions, live demos, and moderated Q&A — all hosted by Ashwika Tipparaju. Click through to see the full agenda.

OPENING DAY Saturday, June 20 · 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Ashwika Tipparaju

Ashwika Tipparaju

President, Youth Code Foundation

Welcome & Opening Ceremony

9:00 – 9:20 AM
HostOpeningClosing
LinkedIn ↗
Avaneesh Kolluri

Avaneesh Kolluri

Software Engineer · Meta

The Future of Development

9:20 – 10:10 AM
AI & DevIndustry
Praveen Sake

Praveen Sake

Staff Software Engineer, Technical Lead, AI/ML · Meta

The Future of Development

9:20 – 10:10 AM
AI & DevIndustry
Sruthi Sudhakar

Sruthi Sudhakar

PhD Candidate, CS · Columbia University

How We Catch and Fix Bias in AI Systems

10:30 – 11:20 AM
ResearchAI Fairness
Umashankar Kotturu

Umashankar Kotturu

Global Practice Lead, Digital Engineering · Apexon

Industry Impact: AI as the New Baseline

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
IndustryHackathon Tips
CLOSING DAY Saturday, June 27 · 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM EST
Berto Mill

Berto Mill

Founder · MakersLounge · Ex KPMG

AI, Accounting & Open Claw · Live Demo

9:20 – 10:20 AM
AccountingLive Demo
Titia Long-Nickens

Titia Long-Nickens

SVP, Global Technology · Bank of America

The Humans Behind the AI: Leadership, Communication & Empathy

10:30 – 11:20 AM
LeadershipCareer
Jubain Joshi

Jubain Joshi

CPA, Tax Partner · KPMG US

Accounting & AI: Deep Dive

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
AccountingEnterprise AI
CLOSING CEREMONY Saturday, June 27 · 12:15 – 12:30 PM EST
Manisha Lad

Manisha Lad

Founder · Akhil Autism Foundation

Akhil Autism Foundation & AI for Neurodiverse Communities

12:15 – 12:30 PM
Special GuestClosing Ceremony
View Full Agenda & Bios →
// Hackathon Tracks

Five Tracks. Five Big Questions.

Each track tackles a real question that students are already asking — and challenges them to build an AI-powered answer.

TRACK 01

Money, Jobs & AI — Will AI Steal My Future?

Spoiler: no. But it will change everything about how finance and accounting work. Build something that shows what AI actually does in the real money world — budgeting tools, expense analyzers, audit bots.

KPMG-Anchored
TRACK 02

I'm a Creator — Should I Be Scared of AI?

You already make content. Now imagine doing it 10x faster with AI as your co-creator. Build tools that help YouTubers, TikTokers, or writers plan, create, and grow — without losing their voice. Make an advertisement or short movie using AI tool(s). Creators who use AI will replace those who don't.

Creative AI
TRACK 03

AI That Actually Helps People

What if you built something that genuinely made someone's life better? Mental health check-ins, tools for people with disabilities, local community helpers — this track is for builders who want their first project to mean something. Use AI to solve real community problems, from accessibility tools for neurodiverse individuals to local resource finders.

Social Impact
TRACK 04

What Do I Even Do With My Life? (AI Can Help)

Career planning is broken for our generation. Build something that helps students figure out what careers exist, what skills they need, and what to do right now. Resume tools, college major explorers, AI interview coaches — this one hits close to home for all of us.

Apexon-Anchored
TRACK 05

I Have an Idea — AI Helps Me Build It

You don't need a team of 50 engineers anymore. With AI tools, a high schooler can build something that looks and works like a real startup. Pick a problem you've actually experienced, build a prototype, and pitch it like you mean it. No idea is too small to start.

Open Track
// Our Supporters

Powered by People Who
Believe in Youth Builders

These organizations and companies are investing in the next generation — because the future belongs to the builders, dreamers, and makers who start young.

// Prizes & Impact

Where the Funds Go

Every dollar raised goes toward hackathon prizes and a donation to the Akhil Autism Foundation. Fundraising goal: $5,000.

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Grand Prize

Best overall project across all tracks

Top Award
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Track Winners

Best project in each of the 5 tracks

Per Track
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Innovation Award

Most creative use of AI technology

Special Prize
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Community Donation

Akhil Autism Foundation

~25% of Funds