New international problem supplies college college students hands-on expertise with IBM Bob, serving to them construct sensible AI abilities, portfolio-ready tasks and profession connections
Jun 3, 2026
NEW YORK, June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) at this time introduced the AI Builders Problem, a worldwide problem with IBM Bob – IBM’s new AI-powered growth accomplice – that can assist college college students construct sensible AI and software program growth abilities for the way forward for work.
The Problem comes as employers more and more anticipate graduates to know how one can use AI, but many college students lack alternatives to follow these abilities earlier than coming into the workforce. A current survey from the American Affiliation of Faculties and Universities and Elon College discovered that 63 p.c of college stated graduates weren’t very or in no way ready to make use of generative AI on the earth of labor. The AI Builders Problem is meant to assist handle that hole by giving college students follow with AI in a setting the place their work must be examined, defined and improved.
Introduced throughout IBM’s Way forward for AI in Greater Schooling Summit in New York Metropolis, the Problem offers college students a hands-on option to develop AI abilities in software program growth whereas creating tasks they will showcase past the classroom. The announcement coincides with IBM’s growth of free entry to IBM Bob for greater schooling, making the expertise out there to twenty,000 post-secondary establishments worldwide.
By IBM SkillsBuild, college students will use IBM Bob in a challenge-based expertise that displays the type of software program growth work they might encounter within the office. The Problem is tied to real-world themes, together with “Create with AI: The Way forward for Artistic Industries”, “Mission Past Earth: House Exploration”, and “Work Reimagined: Remodeling Industries via Clever Work Methods.”
In contrast to earlier AI instruments that targeted primarily on dashing up code era, IBM Bob is designed to work with builders throughout the complete software program growth lifecycle. IBM Bob integrates orchestration, execution and governance immediately into growth workflows, serving to groups transfer from remoted duties to coordinated supply.
For college kids, this implies studying how one can use AI to help code era whereas gaining expertise making use of AI to growth work that requires an understanding of how software program programs should be modernized and scaled in actual environments. By constructing a venture via the AI Builders Problem, college students can create a tangible instance of utilized AI work that may be shared with potential employers.
“AI is now a part of how work will get finished, and college students coming into the workforce have to know how one can use it successfully and responsibly,” stated Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Chief Affect Officer, IBM. “Meaning figuring out how one can query what an AI device produces, clarify the selections made behind their work and take possession of the output. The AI Builders Problem offers college college students sensible expertise constructing AI abilities with IBM Bob, whereas serving to them create portfolio-ready tasks that present employers they’re ready for an AI-driven economic system.”
The Problem, organized by BeMyApp, is open to eligible college college students 18 years of age or older throughout taking part nations and welcomes college students from all majors. Members can work individually or in groups, submit closing tasks via GitHub and entry help via Discord, mentors, workplace hours and webinars. Winners can be chosen by a panel of judges who will consider submissions based mostly on technical execution, innovation, problem match, implementation and feasibility.
Winners will compete for a share of the $15,000 USD whole prize pool, together with a Grand Prize of $5,000 for the highest venture throughout the Problem. 4 winners can be chosen for every of two month-to-month competitions to win prizes starting from $750 to $2,250 USD. Members may also acquire alternatives to construct an expert community via the Problem neighborhood and IBM ecosystem. The Grand Prize winner can be invited to IBM TechXchange, IBM’s international convention the place builders, engineers, scientists, and researchers construct actual‑world abilities, giving the winner visibility with a worldwide expertise viewers.
This effort builds on IBM’s dedication to talent 30 million folks by 2030 and IBM’s broader college technique, which goals to assist college students, college and establishments transfer from AI literacy to AI fluency. By IBM SkillsBuild, IBM supplies free studying, digital credentials, college enablement, hands-on labs and challenge-based experiences that assist learners construct abilities they will reveal in an AI-driven economic system.
Registration for the AI Builders Problem opens June 3. The Problem will embody two month-to-month competitions, launching on July 1 and August 1 and entries have to be obtained by July 31 and August 31. College students can study extra and register here. Participation is topic to the eligibility standards and different phrases within the Official Rules. No buy is important to enter or win the Problem.
About IBM
IBM is a number one supplier of worldwide hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting experience. We assist shoppers in additional than 175 nations capitalize on insights from their information, streamline enterprise processes, cut back prices and acquire the aggressive edge of their industries. 1000’s of governments and company entities in crucial infrastructure areas comparable to monetary companies, telecommunications and healthcare depend on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Pink Hat OpenShift to have an effect on their digital transformations rapidly, effectively and securely. IBM’s breakthrough improvements in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud options and consulting ship open and versatile choices to our shoppers. All of that is backed by IBM’s long-standing dedication to belief, transparency, duty, inclusivity and repair.
Go to www.ibm.com for extra data.
Media contact:
Joe Brown
IBM
Joseph.Brown4@ibm.com
SOURCE IBM