The EY AI & Data Challenge Program

Can AI and data be the key to unlocking a more sustainable future?

The EY organization believes in the power of innovation and in creating opportunities for enhanced insight through the application of AI and data. Comprised of three core components, the EY AI & Data Challenge Program was established to inspire problem solvers and apply technology in meaningful ways.

The challenge

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EY Ripples program, the EY AI & Data Challenge is one of the largest data challenges in the world with over 45,000 participants across 146 countries.  The annual competition gives university students, early-career professionals and EY people the opportunity to sharpen skills while developing innovative solutions to mitigate global sustainability issues. 

Since its inception, participants have used AI and data to help detect and manage wildfires, preserve biodiversity, alleviate food insecurity, build coastal resilience and cool urban heat islands. 

The 2026 challenge is focused on understanding how climate shifts and environmental changes affect the quality of water humanity relies on every day.

Participants will build AI models to forecast water quality in rivers, lakes and dams using satellite, weather and environmental datasets. By predicting water suitability and assessing the impacts of environmental and climatic variability, the models will generate important insights to advance public health and guide policy decisions.  

The platform service    

Challenges are more than competitions; they serve to foster innovation, hone problem-solving skills and encourage collaboration — all key elements for success in today’s data-driven landscape. Contact us to explore options.

The EY AI & Data Challenge platform service offers a proven, user-friendly environment for hosting AI & data challenges, ideal for commercial or university settings. It provides a seamless, secure and engaging experience for participants through a robust suite of features. Universities and organizations can work with EY to design a new challenge or use one of the existing EY challenges for an easy, turnkey approach.

The ambassador program

The ambassador program was developed to promote the EY AI & Data Challenge through community building and knowledge sharing. Members from past challenges serve as advocates for AI for good and encourage challenge participation. The program has built a global network of technology enthusiasts who have a passion for sustainability initiatives.