Manifesto

The Norwegian AI Championship debuted in 2025, organized by NORA and ASTAR. This 7-day virtual event featured three tasks spanning critical areas of modern AI, with the winning team determined by their combined performance across all segments. Following a successful inaugural competition that attracted over 120 participants and awarded 50,000 NOK in prizes, we're elevating the 2026 edition to new heights.

Demand for AI talent has surged dramatically. Across the Nordics, our neighbours are building formidable AI ecosystems. Sweden, with its established tech giants, Denmark producing unicorns, and Finland advancing rapidly. Norway is already falling behind. To remain competitive, we must invest decisively in developing our next generation of AI talent. Building on the foundation laid in 2025, the 2026 championship represents our commitment to closing this gap.

The 2026 championship will run for four days, from Thursday through Sunday, with physical hubs across Norway enabling in-person collaboration and networking. We're scaling the prize pool twenty-fold to 1 million NOK and aiming for 1,000 participants. To maximise participation, we're launching an open league accessible to everyone, with a dedicated student league as a competitive sub-division.