Virginia University Hosts 2-Week AI Challenge for All Levels

Forget pulling all-nighters fueled by energy drinks and pizza. Regent University's Institute for Technology Innovation just reimagined what an AI competition can look like, and other organizations are already taking notes.

The Virginia Beach university hosted its first AI Build Challenge in June, giving 15 teams and solo builders two weeks to create AI-powered learning tools. Participants ranged from seasoned developers to complete beginners, all working on their own time between an in-person kickoff on June 4 and final presentations on June 18.

The format breaks from traditional hackathons that compress everything into one exhausting session. Instead, builders could work independently or in teams, fitting the challenge around their actual lives. They had access to a resource guide, a Discord channel for questions, and recorded presentations from AI experts Andrew Stafford and Ted Patterson.

The challenge asked participants to tackle a real problem: how can AI make learning better? Teams focused on personalized tutoring, virtual coaching, onboarding tools, and customized learning guides. Regent students, faculty, and staff competed alongside community members from the broader Hampton Roads region.

Notable projects came from unexpected places. Simon Tarr, Dean of the Honors College, built an app called Honq for his students. Linda Santiago-King from the Military Resource Center teamed up with adjunct professor Jeannine Bennett to create Career Strategist Pro.

The Ripple Effect

The hybrid model is already spreading beyond Regent's campus. Other organizations in Hampton Roads have expressed interest in replicating the format, recognizing that accessibility matters just as much as innovation.

A four-person judging panel including technology leaders and educators evaluated each five-minute presentation. The competition distributed $1,000 in prizes, with first place taking home $350.

"The AI Build Challenge aligns with the Institute for Technology Innovation's mission to learn emerging technologies, build practical solutions, and lead ethical innovation," said Jason Baker, the ITI's director. The institute aims to prepare leaders who can harness technology to serve humanity.

The partnership with AI Collective Hampton Roads Chapter marks the first time either organization has tried this format. By removing the pressure cooker environment of traditional hackathons, they opened the door for people who have great ideas but need more than 24 hours to bring them to life.

Sometimes the best innovation happens when you give people time to think.