01
Green Intelligence
Use AI to monitor and reduce environmental impact across energy and climate systems.
ClimateEnergySustainability
Skip to WTH 2026 contentWHAT
WTH // 2026 // SUTD08 1,400+ 100s 01
SUTD · 8TH EDITION · HARDWARE + SOFTWARE
WHAT
THE HACK.
THE AGE OF AI
2026Design intelligence for climate, autonomy and human access. What will you build?
[TENTATIVE · 09—11 OCTOBER 2026]36 hours · Singapore University of Technology and Design
00
The manifesto
Intelligence is a creative material.
Design the next era with intelligence—not around it.
What The Hack uniquely bridges software and hardware innovation. Open to students from secondary school through university, our eighth edition challenges a new generation to make AI tangible, useful and accountable.
01
Event parameters
09—11October 2026 · tentative
36HOne focused build sprint
300+Participant target
08Edition of What The Hack
The 9–11 October event dates are tentative. Registration, eligibility and prize details will be confirmed in the official announcement.
02
Challenge tracks
Three ways to design intelligence.
One Age of AI, explored through the planet, autonomous systems and people.
02
Autonomous Intelligence
Build robots and automated systems that perform physical tasks independently.
RoboticsAutomationSafety
03
Human-Centered Intelligence
Design AI tools that expand access to education, healthcare and essential services.
EducationHealthcareEquity
03
The programme
From question to prototype in 36 hours.
The exact run-of-show will be published with the participant guide.
Stage 0101
Connect + frame
Meet the community, form a team and choose the problem worth solving.
- 01Opening
- 02Team formation
- 03Problem framing
Stage 0202
Build + test
Experiment across software and hardware through the 36-hour sprint.
- 01Prototype
- 02Mentor feedback
- 03Iterate
Stage 0303
Demo + share
Show the system, explain its impact and make the case for what comes next.
- 01Final build
- 02Pitch
- 03Awards
This build arc is indicative; confirmed timings and activities will be announced closer to the event.
04
The WTH story
Eight years, still building.
Hundreds of working prototypes made by more than 1,400 participants.
Years in motion
Eight years of students turning ambitious questions into working systems.
Past participants
A growing community of engineers, designers, builders and founders.
Working prototypes
Built quickly, tested honestly and shared at the end of a single weekend.
Connected challenge
Software and hardware meet across climate, autonomy and human access.
05
Past winners
Proof, not promises.
Explore projects built by previous generations of WTH makers.
Sponsors + donors
Back the builders of tomorrow.
Help fund prizes, resources and opportunities for the next generation of innovators. Partnership details are available from the WTH team.
06
Frequently asked
A good place to start.
What The Hack is SUTD’s student hackathon at the intersection of hardware and software. Innovators work together through a focused 36-hour sprint to turn an ambitious idea into a functioning prototype.
Stay in the loop
Your next big idea starts here.
Registration is not open yet. Follow WTH or contact the organising team for participant, partnership and donation enquiries.
- sutdwth@studentgov.sutd.edu.sg
- Venue
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Status
- Tentative dates: 9–11 October 2026
- Partnership contacts
- Daniel Napitu · Caitlyn Setiadi