3/26/26

HAYS, Kan.  - Fort Hays State University will host an AI Hackathon this spring, inviting students to innovate and create impactful solutions to real-world issues in a single day.

Designed as a high-energy, hands-on experience, the one-day hackathon brings together students from across disciplines to collaborate in diverse teams of designers, thinkers, and creators. Participants will use artificial intelligence to tackle challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and education.

The hackathon emphasizes rapid innovation and collaboration. Students will develop and present their ideas in a fast-paced setting that mirrors real-world problem-solving and workplace dynamics.

A key theme of the event, “No code? No problem,” highlights its accessibility to students of all skill levels. Whether participants contribute through coding, design, research, or pitching ideas, the event encourages creativity and interdisciplinary teamwork.

“Every community is going to face a choice about whether they shape AI or just have it happen to them,” said Mason Ruder, Hays mayor. “The towns that come out ahead are the ones investing in people who care enough to build something worth building.”

FHSU Director of Innovative Learning Strategies Magdalene Moy pointed out that events like the hackathon help close the gap between “what students are learning and what employers in our region need.”

“That’s the role FHSU is playing,” she said. “Connecting classroom innovation to workforce reality.”

Top-performing teams will receive cash prizes, including $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.

The event also supports Fort Hays State University’s broader commitment to innovation and applied learning, equipping students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven workforce.

The hackathon will be held in person on the FHSU campus on April 11. Participants must be at least 18 years old or 16 years old with an accompanying adult.

Students interested in participating can register before March 31 online at: https://www.fhsu.edu/ai/hackathon2026