Described as Pakistan’s largest AI hackathon, the national competition received more than 16,000 AI project submissions. Following regional competitions in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, 300 teams qualified for the grand finale.
The event featured a total prize pool of $60,000, including $30,000 in cash prizes and $30,000 in Alibaba Cloud credits to help successful teams further develop and scale their projects.
The project titled Salix secured first place in the Alibaba Cloud AI Hackathon 2026, winning a cash prize of $7,000. Teams securing second and third positions also received prizes, while runners-up across six categories were rewarded.
Six Categories of AI Innovation
Participants presented AI-powered projects in six categories: healthcare, financial inclusion, education, smart agriculture, open innovation, and Urdu and regional languages.
The competition aimed to encourage young people to develop their own products and practical technology solutions rather than simply use existing AI tools. Participants also received training, mentorship and access to advanced digital tools to help turn their ideas into workable projects.
The event was attended by Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan President Dr Hafeez ur Rehman, Cognix Solutions Co-Founder and Alibaba Cloud authorised partner Hank Shao, Alibaba Cloud Head of Marketing for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa Yilan Zhuang, Bano Qabil Programme Chairman Naveed Ali Baig, CEO Shahid Iqbal, diplomatic representatives, technology experts, industry professionals and education-sector representatives.
Alkhidmat Foundation Highlights Youth Potential
Addressing the gathering, Dr Hafeez ur Rehman said the hackathon, organised through a partnership between Alibaba Cloud and Alkhidmat Foundation, represented a source of hope for young people and a milestone in Pakistan’s technological development.
He said nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population consisted of young people, making investment in their education and skills essential for the country’s future.
Dr Hafeez ur Rehman said Alkhidmat had launched the Bano Qabil programme three years ago to provide free training in modern information technology courses. The programme aims to help young people develop skills, access employment opportunities and create livelihood opportunities for others.
As artificial intelligence began transforming industries worldwide, Alkhidmat introduced AI courses and subsequently partnered with Alibaba Cloud to provide Pakistani youth with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, he added.
He said the response to the hackathon had exceeded expectations, with around 40,000 young people participating and submitting more than 16,000 projects. Of these, 1,200 projects were selected before regional competitions were held in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, leading to the selection of 300 finalist teams.
He described every participant who presented a project as a winner, saying that participation reflected the initiative and determination needed to turn ideas into practical solutions.
Alibaba Cloud Encourages AI Innovation
Alibaba Cloud Vice President Eric Wan praised the digital capabilities of Pakistani youth, saying that access to quality education, advanced technology and suitable opportunities could help them become innovators and entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence.
He appreciated Alkhidmat Foundation’s efforts to provide free IT education through the Bano Qabil programme and described the partnership between the two organisations as important for identifying and developing AI talent in Pakistan.
Wan encouraged participants to develop practical solutions to challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors. He also urged young innovators to use their skills to bring positive change at both national and international levels.
The hackathon concluded with a focus on developing Pakistan’s young AI talent and encouraging practical technology solutions to social and national challenges.
