Phase 2: Prototype Design and Presentation

Nittany AI Challenge: Phase 2

Prototype Design and Presentation

Important Dates

Monday, January 19, 2026, by 5 p.m. (ET)

Deadline for teams to submit prototypes.
Friday, January 30, 2026

Prototype winners are announced.

Your team's entry into the Nittany AI Challenge will be a prototype. With the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), it is our expectation that prototypes can be created much more efficiently than in past competitions. As a result, rapid prototyping will be one of the key factors of success, assuming you have done your research to understand the problem or opportunity you are addressing, along with its impact and feasibility.

Each team will enter the Challenge by submitting a video that demonstrates the team’s prototype in action, along with supporting documentation. The prototype phase does not require your team to submit code, only documentation and a video that accurately conveys the key components of your solution.

Submitting Your Prototype

A prototype is what is created when you give form to your product idea. It’s something tangible, not just in your head. It is often used to demonstrate and validate ideas, gather feedback, and identify potential issues early in the development process.

Using the prototype definition, your team’s prototype should clearly convey your model or idea. It would be beneficial for you to demonstrate how AI is being used, which is directly aligned with the first criterion in the rubric. For example, if you are using a large language model, your team will score higher if you demonstrate how it is being used.

Each team's submission must include two items:

Video demonstration
Supporting information

You do not need to submit code in the Prototype Phase.

Video Overview

All teams submitting a prototype for review are required to submit video demonstrations of their working prototypes. The videos must:

be no more than 5 minutes in length
explain the intent, goals, and potential impact of the solution
demonstrate the basic, working functionality of the prototype
be available through a YouTube link accessible for viewing by the Challenge reviewers

The production value of the videos will not be factored into the review, but videos must clearly and accurately represent the prototype functionality. To help, Media Commons at Penn State provides free One Button Studio options throughout the Commonwealth.

Supporting Information

Team information – Project/MVP title; name, campus, and college of each team member; name, email, and phone number of the primary point of contact.
Problem/Opportunity Statement – This should demonstrate that you clearly understand the problem or opportunity you are addressing with AI.
MVP Use Case – Describe how someone will use the MVP functionality you intend to build and the benefits or impact the MVP will provide.
Data availability – Detail the data sources leveraged within the prototype as well as the data sources necessary for the MVP.
Technology – Describe the technology being used in the prototype along with any additional technology planned for the MVP.

This phase will be judged by a group of individuals that will select teams to move forward into the MVP phase based on ranking and overall score.

The reviewers may include a mix of:

content or domain experts related to the challenges
technical experts fluent in AI/ML capabilities
industry representatives
Penn State staff and decision makers

Panelists will review the video overviews and completed form information and provide teams the opportunity to answer in an online discussion group. Teams will be responsible for responding to all questions posed by reviewers within a set period prior to the submission of the final reviews.

Download the full review rubric (PDF)

The following criteria will be used in the selection process for the Prototype Phase of the Nittany AI Challenge:

Innovation and Technical Merit (1.5 weighting)

Does the prototype demonstrate a novel use of AI, or does it improve upon existing solutions in a significant way?
Is the underlying AI model robust, accurate, and efficient?
How well has the team addressed potential technical challenges and limitations of their solution?

Impact and Relevance (1.5 weighting)

Does the prototype address a pressing or significant issue within its chosen area (education, environment, humanitarianism, health)?
How scalable is the solution, and what potential does it have to create widespread positive change?
Is there clear evidence or data supporting the prototype's potential impact?

User Experience and Accessibility (.5 weighting)

Is the prototype user-friendly, intuitive, and accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities?
How well has the team considered the cultural, socio-economic, and demographic differences of potential users?
Are there mechanisms in place to collect user feedback and iterate upon it?

Ethical Considerations (.5 weighting)

How well does the prototype address potential ethical concerns, including data privacy, fairness, and transparency?
Is there a plan in place to handle unintended consequences or misuse of the technology?
Has the team demonstrated an understanding of the broader societal implications of their solution?

Feasibility and Implementation (1.0 weighting)

How realistic is the prototype's implementation in real-world scenarios?
Is there a clear roadmap for moving from the prototype stage to full deployment?
Has the team considered the economic, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges of their solution?

Teams are solely responsible for any costs associated with the development of their prototypes and MVPs. Levels of free access and/or credit to specific AI and hosting platforms are available to Challenge participants and should be sufficient for development work up through the MVP Phase. Any costs incurred in excess of the free access and/or credits during or after the completion of the Nittany AI Challenge are the sole responsibility of the participants or team of participants.