--- title: The Presidential AI Challenge | Wayfinder description: The Presidential AI Challenge is a nationwide competition that celebrates innovation in AI. Get a free activity to help students start their project. image: https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hubfs/capstone-cte2.jpeg --- [![Wayfinder](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/wayfinder-theme/images/61e1f37cabd595ac1e57f07b_wayfinder-logo.png?width=200&name=61e1f37cabd595ac1e57f07b_wayfinder-logo.png "Wayfinder")](https://www.withwayfinder.com/) [Log In](https://app.withwayfinder.com/login) [![Schedule Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21904666/5f1e7040-47f1-4af2-9e4a-10c9e25464e6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21904666/5f1e7040-47f1-4af2-9e4a-10c9e25464e6) - Curriculum + Products - Our Offerings - Grade Levels - [District-Wide (PreK-12)](https://www.withwayfinder.com/products/district-wide-curriculum) - [Elementary School (PreK-5)](https://www.withwayfinder.com/products/elementary-school-curriculum) - [Middle School (6-8)](https://www.withwayfinder.com/products/middle-school-curriculum) - [High School (9-12)](https://www.withwayfinder.com/products/high-school-curriculum) - 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[Privacy Policy](https://www.withwayfinder.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms of Use](https://www.withwayfinder.com/terms-of-service) © Wayfinder, 2023 ## The Presidential AI Challenge The Presidential AI Challenge is intended to highlight student and educator achievements in AI while encouraging creativity and problem-solving.  Need help brainstorming project ideas? Download Wayfinder’s **[Sparking AIdeas Activity](##ANCHOR)** to help students get started. [Sparking AIdeas Activity](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/the-presidential-ai-challenge-wayfinder#ai-ideas-challenge-form) ![The Presidential AI Challenge is intended to encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hubfs/BF%20%20SQUARE%20IMAGESICONS%20(800%20x%20800%20px).png "The Presidential AI Challenge is intended to encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI") ## What Is the Presidential AI Challenge? **[The Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge](https://www.ai.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge)** is a nationwide competition that celebrates student and educator innovation in AI. Launched under the Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, the Challenge invites students from school districts and youth organizations across the country to design and implement AI solutions that address real-world challenges in their communities. Students can form teams to compete at the state, regional, and national level. For more information and to see full requirements, **review the** **[Participation Guidebook here](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Presidential-AI-Challenge-Guidebook-for-Participation.pdf).** ![Wayfinder is supporting students and educators in the presidential artificial intelligence challenge](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BF%20%20SQUARE%20IMAGESICONS%20(800%20x%20800%20px)%20(1)-1.png?width=300&height=300&name=BF%20%20SQUARE%20IMAGESICONS%20(800%20x%20800%20px)%20(1)-1.png "Wayfinder is supporting students and educators in the presidential artificial intelligence challenge") ## How the AI Challenge Works **Proposal Submission Deadline: January 20, 2026** Learn more about the Presidential AI Challenge below. **Team Categories:** - Grade band groups: - Elementary School - Middle School - High School - Educator-Led Collaborations **Project Themes Categories:** Teams can choose topics from focus areas like community service, education innovation, and more. See sample projects **[here.](https://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/resources/sample-projects.html#accent-cool)** **Teams can choose to submit their project from one of three tracks:**   1. **Track I (proposal)**: Create a proposal or idea for how AI could be applied to address a community challenge. 2. **Track II (technical/implementation)**: Build a solution that addresses a community problem or challenge. 3. **Track III (for educators only)**: Teach an AI concept or tool to K-12 students, or demonstrate how AI tools could improve learning experiences.   Looking for a way to start brainstorming ideas for the Presidential AI Challenge? **Download the [Sparking AIdeas Activity](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/the-presidential-ai-challenge-wayfinder#ai-ideas-challenge-form) below.** [![Wayfinder prepares all students for success in their careers in the age of AI](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hubfs/BF%20%20SQUARE%20IMAGESICONS%20(800%20x%20800%20px)%20(6).png "Wayfinder prepares all students for success in their careers in the age of AI")](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/athletic-mindset-for-younger-students?hsLang=en) ## Wayfinder Prepares Every Learner for Success in the Age of AI Wayfinder helps students develop Core Skills that prepare them for success in academics, career, and life. Wayfinder PreK-12 curriculum helps students build critical skills like:   - Self-Awareness - Adaptability - Empathy - Collaboration - Agency - Purpose These skills give students a foundation for success and the confidence to navigate their lives with purpose. [Learn More](https://www.withwayfinder.com/) ## Brainstorm your Presidential AI Challenge Project with the Sparking AIdeas Activity  **Fill out the form below to download Wayfinder’s free Sparking AIdeas Activity.** ![Sparking AIdeas Activity for the presidential AI challenge](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sparking%20AIdeas%20Activity.png?width=866&height=755&name=Sparking%20AIdeas%20Activity.png) In this activity, students reflect on what they love to do, what they’re good at, and the needs in the world around them. These connections give students clear inspiration for making a difference in their community.   **Try the Sparking AIdeas activity with your students today!** ## Elevating Human Skills in an AI World Wayfinder views artificial intelligence not as a replacement for human skills, but as a tool that can enhance our capabilities. **Learn more and get free resources that help students build critical thinking and digital literacy skills in the age of AI.** [Explore Resources](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/future-ready-skills-and-ai-resources?hsLang=en) ![Human skills for students in an AI world. Teaching skills for academic success and graduate preparedness](https://pages.withwayfinder.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mountain.png?width=1600&height=755&name=mountain.png "Human skills for students in an AI world. 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Launched under the Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth (April 2025), the Challenge encourages participants to design AI-based solutions that address real-world issues in their schools, communities, and beyond." }, "name" : "What is the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Challenge is open to students from K–12 school districts, youth organizations, and educators across the United States. Participants may join individually or as part of a team in one of these categories: K–5 Explorers, Middle School Innovators, High School Visionaries, and Educator-Led Collaborations." }, "name" : "Who can participate?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Challenge officially launched on August 26, 2025, and all project submissions are due by January 20, 2026." }, "name" : "What are the project submission deadlines?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Teams select one of three tracks: Track I – Proposal (share an idea for how AI could address a community challenge); Track II – Technical/Implementation (build a working AI project or prototype); Track III – Educator Track (demonstrate how AI tools can be taught or used to improve learning experiences). Projects are reviewed at the state, regional, and national levels." }, "name" : "How does the Challenge work?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Projects may address topics such as Environmental Sustainability, Health & Wellness, Education Innovation, Community Service, and Data for Social Good. Example ideas include an AI tutor with personalized learning support, a chatbot that gives weather-based clothing advice, an AI-assisted \"lost and found\" app, and a system that optimizes school bus routes." }, "name" : "What kinds of projects can students create?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Wayfinder’s Sparking AIdeas Activity is a free classroom resource that helps students brainstorm meaningful project ideas by reflecting on what they love, what they’re good at, and the needs they see in their world—connecting purpose with innovation before they begin their Challenge project." }, "name" : "How can educators help students get started?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Participating helps students build future-ready skills: understanding how AI works and its ethical considerations; creative problem-solving and collaboration; communication and project design; digital literacy and responsible AI use; and exposure to career pathways in technology and innovation. Wayfinder’s mission is to help every learner grow the human skills that AI cannot replace—curiosity, creativity, empathy, and purpose." }, "name" : "How does this Challenge prepare students for the future?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Explore Wayfinder’s AI + Education Resource Hub for classroom activities, educator guides, and professional learning tools that prepare students for success in the age of AI.", "url" : "https://pages.withwayfinder.com/future-ready-skills-and-ai-resources" }, "name" : "Where can I find more AI learning resources?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. The Purpose Compass helps students identify what they love, what they’re skilled at, and the problems they care about solving. This alignment guides them toward meaningful, strengths-based AI project ideas." }, "name" : "Can I use the Purpose Compass activity to help with the Challenge?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Official submission instructions will be provided by the Presidential AI Challenge task force through participating state and district education offices. Check back on this page or sign up for Wayfinder updates to receive reminders, deadlines, and proposal guidance." }, "name" : "How do I submit my project?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Challenge is supported by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation, in partnership with industry, academic, and nonprofit organizations working to expand AI literacy in K–12 education." }, "name" : "Who is organizing the Challenge?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "As AI continues to reshape society, education must evolve with it. While AI can automate tasks, it cannot truly understand, imagine, or empathize. The Challenge empowers students to use AI as a tool—not a substitute—for creativity, critical thinking, and purposeful innovation." }, "name" : "Why does this matter?" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "@id": "https://www.withwayfinder.com/#organization", "name": "Wayfinder", "alternateName": Wayfinder K-12 Future-Ready Skills", "legalName": "Wayfinder, Inc.", "url": "https://www.withwayfinder.com", "foundingDate": "2015", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.withwayfinder.com/hubfs/wayfinder-logo-main.png", "width": 600, "height": 200, "caption": "Wayfinder Logo" }, "description": "Wayfinder is a comprehensive K-12 curriculum and platform that helps schools build future-ready skills and increase student engagement. 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