Generative AI Hackathon 2025
Gen AI Hackathon 3.0: Knowledge in Action — empowering youth across Kyrgyzstan with AI, innovation, and mentorship
2025 at a Glance
Knowledge in Action
From October 1 to December 14, 2025, Gen AI Hackathon 3.0 became the largest and most ambitious initiative in the history of the U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association. For the first time, the hackathon went fully countrywide, bringing together 500+ young innovators aged 13–29 from across Kyrgyzstan and reaching 180,000+ people. It remained completely free for all participants.
Our Goals
What We Set Out to Do in 2025
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Build a sustainable, countrywide AI community
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Offer young people a holistic entry into STEM: from learning and building to pitching and real-world exposure
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Create tangible success stories: startups, internships, and career breakthroughs powered by AI
Our Approach
Learning by Building
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💻 12 Webinars in 50 Days – Careers in Big Tech, Ivy League admissions, launching startups, attracting investment, prototyping with AI, and winning pitches
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🌍 Geographic Inclusion – Participants and finalists from Batken, Naryn, Osh, Issyk-Kul, Tokmok, Kant, Karakol, Bishkek, and beyond
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🛠️ Real Constraints – Deadlines, feedback loops, documentation requirements, and live demos
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🎁 Free for Everyone – Travel and accommodation for finalists covered by partners and sponsors
Project Timeline
How It Went
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October 1: Hackathon launch
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First five weeks: Part I – Learning: 12 webinars with 27 speakers, 120+ participants joining live daily
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Part II – Building & Pitching: 56 semifinalists selected, 23 finalists advanced to Demo Day
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Demo Day: 26 AI prototypes presented live, 10 winners awarded
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December 14: Program completed
Our Mentors & Experts
Powered by Alumni & Industry Leaders
27 speakers from the UK, USA, UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, including experts from Amazon, Stripe, Talabat, Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Cambridge. 8 speakers were U.S.-CAEF alumni, and 28 U.S.-CAEF alumni volunteers and 11 dedicated mentors supported the teams. Want to be part of the next one? Become a mentor!
Get Involved
Join Us in Building the Future
There are many ways to support this initiative, pick yours!
✍️ Sign up as a Mentor – Guide teams with your expertise
🎁 Support as a Sponsor – Fund tools, travel & prizes
📣 Spread the Word – Help amplify impact (instagram) 📖 See 2025 Highlights
The Story Behind the Hackathon
From a Passion Project to a Scalable Movement
What started in 2024 as a volunteer-led mentorship initiative has grown into a countrywide platform for AI and entrepreneurship. Driven by U.S.-CAEF alumni, the 2025 hackathon brought together 500+ participants, 27 global speakers, and corporate sponsors. Participants didn’t stop at ideas — they built working products, found mentors, and secured internships. Next, we aim to bring the hackathon beyond Kyrgyzstan to other countries across Central Asia.
What We Achieved in 2025
- 🧠 500+ young innovators learned to build AI-powered products
- 🚀 Over 70% built their first-ever AI prototype
- 🏆 23 finalists, 26 live prototypes, 10 winners
- 💼 4 internships secured through mentors and speakers
- 💰 $17,070 raised in funding and in-kind support
- 🎓 28 U.S.-CAEF alumni volunteers