HerWILL Global Datathon 2026
AI for Digital Safety
A fully online global AI learning and competition experience designed to encourage the development of responsible and impactful AI systems.
In collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology – NSF AI4OPT Institute
March 25 – April 30, 2026 | Fully Online | Free Participation
Why This Matters
AI is reshaping global economies, institutions, and workforce structures. Those who understand AI systems will shape them. Those who don’t will simply live inside them.
13-15 Trillion
USD Projected AI Contribution
to Global Economy by 2030
40%
Workforce Skills Shift
Expected within five years
Top 3
Global Roles Demand
AI, Machine Learning & Data Science
Participant Benefits
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Structured hands-on machine learning training
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Practical NLP and deep learning exposure
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Real-world model building experience
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Ethical AI grounding
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Global competition experience
Top 10 finalists present before a U.S.-based judging panel.
What Makes This Datathon Unique
Real-world, globally sourced online data
Seven expert-led preparatory workshops
Ethics and efficiency integrated into evaluation
Digital safety, trust, fraud prevention focus
Fully online, live, and globally accessible
Program Timeline
Opening Ceremony
March 25, 2026
Official kickoff event.
Workshop Series
March 27 – April 10
Intensive training sessions.
Competition
April 17 – April 24
Dataset Release: 11:00 AM EST.
Final Presentation
April 30, 2026
Closing Ceremony & Awards (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST).
Meet Our STEM Leads
Saiyara Mahmud
STEM Bangladesh Lead at HerWILL
STEM advocate and program leader dedicated to advancing data-driven education and empowering emerging talent in technology and research.
Tanmoy Mazumder
Lecturer at Northern University
Lecturer at Northern University Bangladesh, committed to higher education, student mentorship, and fostering academic collaboration in technology and innovation.
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Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob
Lecturer at University of Asia Pacific
Research contributor in AI and language data initiatives, working on datasets and tools that support advancements in natural language processing and data science.
Workshop Curriculum
The curriculum progresses from fundamentals to advanced AI systems, ensuring participants are ready for the challenge.
About the Datathon
The HerWILL Datathon 2026 brings together students, developers, and emerging researchers from around the world to collaborate, learn, and innovate in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Participants will explore advanced AI techniques, develop creative solutions, and gain hands-on experience through a structured learning and competition environment designed to encourage responsible and impactful AI development.
Unlike many traditional competitions that focus only on predefined benchmarks, this Datathon emphasizes practical problem-solving, collaborative learning, and the development of responsible AI systems through a thoughtfully designed challenge framework.
Mission Objective
Participants will work with real datasets to develop solutions that create measurable positive impact. This competition offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry experts, access cutting-edge tools, and present your findings to leading organizations.
Talent Accelerator
Fast-tracking careers in responsible AI
Practical AI Systems Lab
Real-world application over theory.
Global Benchmark Initiative
Setting new standards for safety.
Ethics-Driven Capacity Building
Prioritizing fairness and transparency.
Workshop Series
The curriculum progresses from fundamentals to advanced AI systems, ensuring participants are fully prepared for the challenge. Each session is led by expert instructors and accompanied by recorded video content, giving participants the flexibility to revisit and engage with the material at their own pace. All session recordings and instructor details are accessible here for reference.
1. Leadership Means in Tech Today - Karenga Ross - Watch Now!
2. Introduction to Machine Learning - Baivab Das - Watch Now!
3. Preparing Data for Machine Learning - Tanmoy Mazumdar - Watch Now!
4. Intro to Natural Language Processing - Thomas Bruys & Mark Sefarian - Watch!
5. Applied Deep Learning for NLP - Kaige Xie - Watch Now!
6. Teaching Machines to Read – Advanced NLP - Jin Xu - Watch Now!
Our 4-Year Global Track Record
For the past four years, HerWILL has successfully organized global AI-focused Datathons, engaging students, researchers, and professionals from multiple countries. Each year, the initiative has evolved — expanding in scale, strengthening its research foundation, and advancing responsible AI practices in digital safety. This is not a one-time event. It is a sustained global effort.
Who Should Apply
Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Early-Career Researchers
Developers & Data Professionals
AI Policy & Governance Scholars
Prerequisites
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Basic Python knowledge
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Familiarity with NumPy & pandas
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Introductory understanding of linear algebra and probability
Workshops Instructors
HerWILL's 2026 Datathon workshop instructors are accomplished professionals, researchers, and educators from leading universities and global technology companies, each bringing deep expertise in Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning. Driven by a passion for education and inclusion, they have crafted hands-on, accessible learning experiences designed to challenge and inspire. Their goal is simple: to ensure every participant walks away with new skills, the confidence to use them, and the inspiration to keep going.
Panel Discussion: Responsible AI
As AI reshapes every corner of society, the question is no longer just what it can do — but what it should do, and for whom. This featured panel unites four leading researchers from Georgia Tech, Northeastern University, and the University of Michigan to explore what it truly means to build AI that is ethical, inclusive, and accountable. From equitable transportation and energy systems to combating media echo chambers and trustworthy AI in healthcare, their diverse work reflects a shared conviction: that powerful AI and responsible AI must be one and the same.
Datathon Judges
HerWILL's 2026 Datathon is proud to be guided by an exceptional panel of researchers, educators, and innovators united by a shared belief: that the future of Data Science and AI must be built by everyone. Collectively representing leading institutions including Georgia Tech, Université Laval, and Purdue University, our judges bring world-class expertise in optimization, machine learning, supply chain, and data-driven systems, paired with an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented youth in STEM.
Institutional Benefits
Exposure to a global AI research initiative
Integration-ready academic material
Opportunities for collaborative research
Visibility within an international AI network
Early engagement with emerging AI talent