{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e","json":"https://digestai.news/story/rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e.md","slug":"rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e","headline":"Rise Networks and partners launch ₦10m AI hackathon for Nigeria’s 2027 elections","summary":"#AI4Elections Hackathon 2026–2027, backed by Rise Networks, INEC, Meta, Google, and Microsoft, offers ₦10 million in prizes for AI-driven election integrity solutions. The competition, running from October 2026 to February 2027, targets misinformation, cybersecurity, and inclusive civic tech. Applications close November 12, 2026, with a national finale in Lagos on December 16, 2026. The program includes a Development Hub and Community of Practice to support winners beyond the competition, focusing on trustworthy AI for elections. Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji of Rise Networks emphasized responsible innovation, citing past projects like the AI-powered misinformation detection tool used in Nigeria’s 2023 elections. Meta’s Sade Dada highlighted the company’s","keyPoints":["₦10 million prize pool: ₦4m top prize, ₦2.5m second, ₦1.5m third, plus four ₦500k special awards","Applications open until November 12, 2026; finalists showcase solutions in Lagos on December 16, 2026","Focus areas: electoral integrity, cybersecurity, inclusive tech, and AI safety, with no partisan campaign tools allowed"],"whyItMatters":"The hackathon aims to counter AI-driven election risks like misinformation and cyberattacks while fostering local tech talent. Its focus on responsible innovation could set a regional model for balancing technology and democratic trust.","category":{"slug":"policy","name":"Policy & Regulation","url":"https://digestai.news/category/policy"},"entities":{"companies":["Rise Networks","INEC","Meta","Google","Microsoft","MacArthur Foundation"],"models":[],"people":["Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji","Dr Lawrence Bayode","Sade Dada","Prof. Olayinka David-West","Tsema Ede"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-26T07:40:00Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-26T07:40:00Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"leadership.ng","title":"Rise Networks, INEC, Meta, Google, Microsoft Launch ₦10m AI Election Hackathon","url":"https://leadership.ng/rise-networks-inec-meta-google-microsoft-launch-%e2%82%a610m-ai-election-hackathon","publishedAt":"2026-10-26T07:40:00Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"Rise Networks and partners launch ₦10m AI hackathon for Nigeria’s 2027 elections\", 26 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"Rise Networks and partners launch ₦10m AI hackathon for Nigeria’s 2027 elections","datePublished":"2026-10-26T07:40:00Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/rise-networks-and-partners-launch-10m-ai-hackathon-for-nigerias-2027-e"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}