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Inaugural I/ITSEC AI Hackathon

  • November 30 - December 3, 2026

  • Orange County Convention Center South Concourse

    9899 International Drive
    Orlando, Florida 32819
Register Now
Description

Inaugural I/ITSEC AI Hackathon

 

Join us for the inaugural AI Hackathon at I/ITSEC 2026 and show how you can leverage modern AI coding tools to create a proof-of-concept solution to a pressing defense-tech challenge from the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD). 

 

Register now to get your spot to solve the Challenge!

This event is limited to 10 teams (individuals or groups). 

There is no charge to participate.

 

CHALLENGE SUMMARY

 Trusting the Synthetic Team: All-Domain Decisions & Trust Calibration

 Create an engaging, strategy-based gameplay or simulation for one or more users that reinforces effective Human-Autonomy Interaction (HAI) by requiring users to calibrate trust, filter complex information, and delegate tasks to synthetic teammates in a high-stakes, multi-domain environment.

To see the full Challenge Statement, copy and paste the link or

scan the QR code below.

https://me-l.co/pwrf8c5x

 

  Participating in this inaugural Hackathon will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

  • Help demonstrate the validity of using Agentic AI for software development and support a rethinking of how software is developed from requirements gathering to testing and maintenance.

  • Meet key representatives from NAWCTSD to learn more about the need for solutions to the challenge.

  • Present your solution to representatives from NAWCTSD and other organizations for a chance to win recognition and promotion of your solution.

  • Create, learn, and share best practices for AI-driven development, helping drive the state of the art in this area of defense applications. 

  • See your best practices in action during the Serious Games Professional Development Workshop (PDW) on Thursday, December 4, to ground attendees in real-world examples and insights.  

  • Help prove the feasibility of and set the bar for future AI Hackathons at I/ITSEC.

 

Thank you to our Hackathon Sponsor!

The Hackathon will take place over the four days of I/ITSEC in the following format.

 

Participant Briefing: Monday, 11/30: 1400-1430 @ Discovery Den (Booth 2395)

  • A representative from NAWCTSD will participate to explain the challenge in more detail and answer questions.  Hackathon facilitators will explain the Hackathon guidelines and schedule. 

  • Teams work on solutions independently: Monday, 11/30 – Thursday, 12/3

  • Teams are responsible for providing their own equipment, AI tools and credits, game engines, etc.

Presentations/Winner selection: Thursday, 12/3: 1100-1230 @ Discovery Den (Booth 2396)

  • The winner will be recognized in the Serious Games Professional Development Workshop, highlighted in NTSA and Central Florida Tech Grove social media, and provided the opportunity to help plan the 2027 AI Hackathon.

  • Lessons learned and examples from the Hackathon will be utilized in the Serious Games Professional Development Workshop (PDW), Thursday, December 3, 1300-1600, Room 310C. The PDW is open to all registered I/ITSEC attendees.

 

Seth Crofton, Kishan Shetty, and Vance Souders, members of the Serious Games Competition and Showcase Committee, will facilitate both the AI Hackathon and the Serious Games PDW.  Together, the trio has over half a century of experience in technology, innovation, and immersive development.  All three will be available throughout I/ITSEC to answer questions and provide feedback as teams develop solutions. 

 

Have questions? Email Seth Crofton at SethCrofton@gmail.com

 

Date & Time

Nov 30, 2026 2:00 PM - Dec 3, 2026 12:30 PM

Venue Details

Orange County Convention Center South Concourse

9899 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819 Orange County Convention Center South Concourse
NTSA EcosySTEM of Learning