6,151 Women Compete in India's Largest AI Hackathon

Young women across India are proving that when given access to technology, they'll use it to solve real problems in their communities.

WitchHunt 2026, organized by HopeWorks Foundation in partnership with AI4India and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, drew 6,151 participants from 668 cities across 23 states. The numbers tell a powerful story: 73% of participants were women, and 98% were between 18 and 30 years old.

The hackathon wasn't just about participation. These young innovators submitted 373 working solutions to tackle everyday challenges their communities face.

Healthcare and well-being emerged as the dominant theme, with women designing AI tools to improve medical access and health outcomes. Smart cities came in second, as participants reimagined how technology could make urban life better for everyone.

Forty teams have now advanced to the grand finale, scheduled for June 14 at Jyoti Nivas College in Bengaluru. Karnataka state ministers Priyank M. Kharge and Ramalinga Reddy will attend, alongside Intel India President Gokul V Subramaniam and NITI Aayog Fellow Debjani Ghosh.

The Ripple Effect

WitchHunt 2026 represents something bigger than a single competition. By deliberately reaching into underserved regions, the hackathon is creating pathways for women who might never have considered themselves tech innovators.

These 6,151 participants now have experience building AI solutions, connections with mentors and industry leaders, and proof that their ideas matter. The 373 solutions they created address real problems in healthcare, urban planning, and community development.

For the 40 finalist teams, the journey continues with mentorship, resources, and visibility that could turn their prototypes into actual products. But even those who didn't advance gained something invaluable: hands-on experience with AI technology and the confidence to keep building.

The Karnataka government's recent approval of Rs 27 crore for startup initiatives creates an ecosystem where these young innovators can thrive. Combined with programs like WitchHunt, India is building a pipeline of women technologists from every corner of the country.

When women from 668 cities come together to solve problems with technology, the future of innovation looks brighter for everyone.