Are you an undergraduate or graduate student with an idea for how artificial intelligence can make a positive difference in society?
The SIAI 2026 Student Research Elevator Pitch gives students the opportunity to present an AI-related research idea to an interdisciplinary audience during the 2026 International Conference on the Social Impact of AI (SIAI 2026).
You do not need to have a completed research paper, finished project, or final results. We are looking for promising ideas, emerging research, and thoughtful approaches to using or studying AI for social impact.
Selected students will have:
3 minutes to present their research idea
1 slide to support their presentation
2 minutes for questions from judges
Your goal is simple: clearly explain the problem, your idea, why it matters, and the social impact of AI it could have.
The competition is open to:
Undergraduate students
Graduate students
Students from any academic discipline
Individual presenters or students representing a research project
Projects may be at the idea, proposal, early research, prototype, or ongoing research stage. Completed results are not required.
Three awards will be presented:
Recognizing an outstanding research idea presented by an undergraduate student.
Recognizing an outstanding research idea presented by a graduate student.
Recognizing the pitch that demonstrates exceptional potential to create meaningful and responsible social impact.
$200 Research Development Award
Plus:
An official SIAI award and certificate
One-year ACM student membership
Complimentary registration for SIAI 2027
A 60-minute research mentoring session with an SIAI faculty mentor
Recognition through SIAI and Digital Equity communication channels
Pitches will be evaluated based on:
Problem & Significance — Is the problem clear and important?
Innovation — Is the idea creative or distinctive?
AI Relevance — Is AI meaningfully connected to the proposed solution or research question?
Social Impact — Who could benefit, and why does the work matter?
Feasibility — Is there a reasonable path for developing or studying the idea?
Communication — Can the student explain the idea clearly and convincingly in three minutes?
Students are not expected to have all the answers. Judges will consider the potential of the idea and the clarity of the research vision, not simply how far the project has progressed.
Proposal Submission Deadline: November 2, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Selected Presenters Notified: November 5, 2026
Presenter Confirmation Deadline: November 6, 2026
Final One-Slide Pitch Due: November 9, 2026
Student Research Elevator Pitch: During SIAI 2026, November 13–14, 2026
There is no participation fee for students selected to present in the Student Research Elevator Pitch.
Selected presenters will receive instructions regarding conference access and presentation logistics.
The Student Research Elevator Pitch is designed as an in-person showcase in Boston.
Students selected as finalists should plan to present their pitch in person during SIAI 2026.
Each finalist will be permitted one presentation slide. Additional slides, videos, or extended demonstrations will not be used during the three-minute pitch.
Submit a short proposal containing:
Student name
Institution
Academic level: undergraduate or graduate
Program or major
Research pitch title
Faculty mentor, if applicable
A brief description of the problem
Your proposed AI-related idea or approach
The people or communities who may benefit
The potential social impact
Current stage of the project
Contact information
A completed research paper is not required.
Big ideas do not always need a long presentation.
Tell us what problem you want to solve, how AI could help, and why your idea matters.
Big Idea. Three Minutes. Make It Matter.
Apply to the SIAI 2026 Student Research Elevator Pitch