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PENANG GREEN SUMMIT 2026

AI4SUSTAINABILITY HACKFEST

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Background

AI4SUSTAINABILITY HACKFEST is the  pre-event program of the Penang Green Summit 2026

This year’s summit centers on a vital mission: “AI for Sustainability.” As one of Northern Malaysia’s largest sustainability gatherings, PGS 2026 is dedicated to showing how artificial intelligence can power our transition toward a low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable future.

We are taking the impact far beyond a standard two-day conference and that is where you come in. Your innovation. Your impact. Your opportunity.

The AI4Sustainability Hackfest is built as an open innovation platform where you will collaborate directly with industry leaders, government representatives, academia, and tech partners. Together, you will tackle urgent, real-world sustainability challenges facing Penang and Malaysia. Don’t just build an idea, build something that makes an impact, and get the opportunity to see your solution tested in a real business environment!

Whether you are a developer, designer, thinker, or innovator, this is your chance to build connections, gain invaluable experience, and showcase what you can do. Your idea could open the door to the industry. Step up, build with purpose, and lead the movement!

Why You Should Join?

  • Channel your skills into building AI-powered solutions that tackle real-world energy and sustainability challenges head-on.
  • Connect directly with industry leaders, top universities, promising startups, and vibrant tech communities to expand your network and jumpstart your career.
  • Demonstrate the practical, game-changing applications of AI in accelerating Malaysia's transition toward a sustainable future.
  • Showcase your team's groundbreaking solution directly on the big stage during the main Penang Green Summit 2026 event in front of key industry and government stakeholders

Challenge Statement Themes

Build AI-powered solutions for real-world challenges:

Water Monitoring

& Management

Facility Energy Monitoring

& Optimisation

AI for Smarter Sustainability:

Optimisation Across Integrated Development

Programme Structure & Timeline

Phase 1: Launch & Registration
September: Registration Drive
Phase 2: Innovation Bootcamp
01 Oct: Opening Ceremony & Microsoft AI Training
01–15 Oct: Hacking Week
Phase 3: Evaluation, Pitching & Top 10 Finalists Selection
19–23 Oct: Judging Week (15-min/team to pitch)
Shortlisting of Top 10 Finalists
Phase 4: Public Showcase & Grand Finale
02–10 Nov: Online Public Voting for People's Choice Awards
12–13 Nov: Physical Voting & Exhibition at PWCC
13 Nov: Awards Ceremony at PWCC

Rules & Engagement

1. Eligibility & Team Composition

  • Team Size: Teams can consist of 1 or a maximum of 2 participants. Cross-institutional and multidisciplinary teams are allowed and encouraged.
  • Age & Residency: Open to all Malaysian citizens, residents and international students in Malaysia aged 18 years and above (undergraduates, postgraduates, working professionals, and early-stage startups).
  • Participant Status: Employees of Penang Green Council or Microsoft Malaysia are ineligible to compete.

2. Hackathon Scope & Submission Requirements

  • AI Integration: Solutions must core-integrate AI capabilities (e.g., machine learning, predictive analytics, computer vision, natural language processing, automated optimization) applied to a sustainability or renewable energy challenge.
  • Originality: Code developed must be original or built upon open-source frameworks. Pre-existing commercial software solutions are strictly prohibited unless substantially updated during the hackathon period.
  • Deliverables for Phase 3 Judging:
  1. A working software/hardware prototype or proof-of-concept (PoC). 
  2. A 3-minute video presentation/demo.
  3. Source code repository access (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps) for verification.
  4. Pitch deck (max 10 slides).

3. Judging & Evaluation Criteria

  • Submissions will be evaluated by a joint panel of experts from Penang Green Council, Microsoft Malaysia, Challenge Partners based on a 100-point scale:
  • [25%] Sustainability Impact & Clean-Tech Relevance
  • [25%] Innovation, AI Application & Technical Execution
  • [20%] Commercial Viability & Scalability
  • [15%] Prototype Usability & Design
  • [15%] Pitch Delivery & Presentation Clarity
  • Sustainability Impact (25%): Alignment with Penang's low-carbon goals and measurable environmental outcomes (energy efficiency, carbon reduction, resource management).
  • Technical & AI Execution (25%): Effective and robust use of AI techniques (leveraging Microsoft/AI frameworks where applicable).
  • Viability & Scalability (20%): Practical potential for real-world deployment across Penang or Malaysia.
  • Usability & UX (15%): Functionality, design quality, and ease of deployment of the prototype.
  • Pitch Delivery (10%): Clarity, structure, and persuasiveness of the pitch, visual quality of slides/demo, and confidence in handling judges' questions within the allocated time.

4. Event Logistics

  • In-Person Session Attendance: All physical sessions, including the workshop, pitching & final showcase will be conducted in Penang. Participants must be able to travel to Penang for all designated in-person activities.
  • Travel and Accommodation Expenses: Travel and Accommodation Expenses: All costs related to travel, transportation, accommodation, and personal expenses incurred during the event are the sole responsibility of the participants.
  • Participant Responsibility & Readiness: Participants must ensure they possess valid travel documentation and make their own arrangements to arrive at the Penang venue on time for all scheduled physical sessions.

Terms and Conditions (T&Cs)

Important Notice: Participation in the PGS 2026: AI4Sustainability Hackfest constitutes full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

1. Intellectual Property (IP) Rights

  • Ownership: Participants retain full ownership of all Intellectual Property (IP) rights created, developed, or generated during the Hackfest.
  • Non-Exclusive License: By entering, participants grant the Penang Green Council and Microsoft Malaysia a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to showcase, feature, and demonstrate the submitted prototypes, pitch materials, and public videos for promotional, educational, and marketing purposes associated with PGS 2026.
  • Commercial Enterprise: Should partners wish to pilot, acquire, or commercially scale a solution, a separate IP transfer/licensing agreement will be negotiated in good faith with the respective team.

2. Participant Conduct & Data Ethics

  • Ethical AI Practice: Solutions must adhere to Responsible AI principles (fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, inclusiveness, and transparency). Algorithms designed to manipulate data deceptively will result in immediate disqualification.
  • Data Security & Privacy: Participants must comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010 of Malaysia. Any synthetic or partner-provided sample data must be handled responsibly and strictly used within the scope of the hackathon.

3. Code of Conduct & Disqualification

  • Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any team found engaging in plagiarism, harassment, dishonest behavior, or breach of third-party IP rights.
  • Decisions made by the Judging Panel in Phase 3 and Phase 4 are final and binding. No correspondence, appeal, or dispute regarding scoring will be entertained.

4. Public Voting & Media Rights

  • Materials submitted for Phase 4 (Online Voting) will be made public. Teams must ensure their submissions do not contain confidential or proprietary information they wish to keep private.
  • Finalists consent to media interviews, photography, and videography conducted during the Grand Finale at Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC).

5. Prize Distribution & Modifications

  • Prizes will be distributed as announced. Monetary awards are subject to standard Malaysian taxation laws if applicable.
  • The Organizers (PGC) reserve the right to amend the timeline, structure, rules, or prizes with reasonable prior notice given to registered participants.
Category Prizes Reward from Challenge Partners
Champion
RM 4,000
1st Runner up
RM 2,500
2nd Runner Up
RM 1,800
People Choice Award
RM 250
Challenge Partner’s Choice x 2
RM 500

Exclusive Experience for Winners from Challenge Partners*

  • Pitch to Industry Partners
  • Turn your idea into a Live Pivot
  • Behind The Scenes Experience
  • Leadership Coffee Session
  • Internship opportunity
*Subject to change

All Finalists will get:

  • Cloud Credits: Access to Microsoft credits for prototype development.
  • Certificate of Participation: Official digital certificates by Penang Green Council