Join innovators in New Delhi on 9 October 2025 to design ITU Build-a-thon 3.0 AI/ML-powered 5G and 6G solutions, compete for prizes, and shape the future of AI Native Networks.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way our networks and services are built, optimized, and experienced. From enabling entirely new 5G/6G applications to simplifying operations, AI and machine learning are now central to the global telecom ecosystem.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been at the forefront of this shift, publishing frameworks like ITU-T Y.3172 and organizing challenges that bring together innovators from over 100 countries. The Build-a-thon series is a hands-on coding competition that translates these standards into practice, encouraging teams to create real-world applications with global impact.
This year, Build-a-thon 3.0 takes place during IMC 2025 in New Delhi, with two phases: online preparatory sessions leading up to the event, followed by an in-person coding sprint on 9 October 2025. Participants will receive mentoring, access to datasets, compute resources, and technical guidance from ITU experts.
The highlight challenge, AI Native Bharat 5G, calls on teams to build AI/ML pipelines for selected 5G/6G use cases. With generous prizes, dedicated awards for inclusivity and engagement, and funded travel for top teams across India, the event is designed to inspire both innovation and collaboration.
Whether you’re a researcher, engineer, student, or policymaker, this is a unique chance to demonstrate your skills, contribute to ITU’s global standards, and make your mark on AI-powered networks.
Overview: What to Expect
The ITU Build-a-thon 3.0 is not just a competition—it’s a practical platform where participants design, build, and test AI/ML models for future communication networks. The event combines mentoring, real-world datasets, and ITU’s architectural frameworks to ensure solutions are both technically robust and globally relevant.
This year’s edition takes place in New Delhi on 9 October 2025, as part of IMC 2025. Teams will showcase their AI/ML-driven prototypes for 5G and 6G use cases, culminating in live demos and a prize ceremony.
Key Themes and Format
Participants will explore:
- AI Native Networks (AINN): integrating AI at the core of 5G/6G design.
- ITU Standards in Action: applying Y.3172, Y.3181, and FG AINN reference models.
- Hands-on Coding & Demo: developing ML pipelines within a sandbox environment.
- Collaborative Mentoring: ITU experts guiding teams through design and implementation.
- Global Collaboration: aligning local innovation with international standards.
Event Structure
- Phase 1 (Online, until 8 Oct 2025): Webinars, mentoring, setup of sandbox environments, and preparatory design work.
- Phase 2 (In-person, 9 Oct 2025, New Delhi): Live coding, demos, and prize distribution.
Problem Statement: AI Native Bharat 5G
Teams will build their own AI/ML models for 5G/6G use cases, selecting from a curated list provided by ITU. With open data, compute resources, and expert mentoring, participants will:
- Design and train ML pipelines
- Explore open datasets
- Run sandbox-based demos
- Showcase real-world applications of ITU standards
Incentives & Prizes
- 1st Prize: INR 20,000
- 2nd Prize: INR 15,000
- 3rd Prize: INR 10,000
- Best Girls Team: INR 10,000
- Best Engaging Team (mentors’ choice): INR 10,000
- Travel support: Domestic travel, lodging, and meals funded for 10 teams (2 participants each).
Who Should Attend
The Build-a-thon welcomes:
- Network engineers & researchers eager to apply AI/ML to 5G/6G challenges.
- Students and innovators seeking practical experience in AI-driven telecom.
- Policy makers & standards experts interested in real-world implementations of ITU frameworks.
This is your chance to collaborate with peers, gain recognition, and align your work with ITU’s global AI/ML initiatives.
Practical Information
- Date: 9 October 2025
- Time: 10:00 – 13:00 IST (see global conversions below)
- Location: IMC 2025, New Delhi, India
- Duration: 3 hours
- Source: Here
Agenda ITU Build-a-thon 3.0
- 10:00–10:10 — Opening remarks
- 10:10–10:30 — Background and rules
- 10:30–11:30 — Coding and demo session
- 11:30–12:30 — Live demos
- 12:30–13:00 — Wrap-up & prize announcements
Speakers
- Speakers TBA
(Expect ITU experts, network researchers, and mentors with experience in AI/ML-driven telecom.)
ITU Build-a-thon 3.0
The ITU Build-a-thon 3.0 is more than a competition—it’s an opportunity to join a global movement shaping the future of AI-powered communication networks. Whether you’re coding, mentoring, or learning, your contribution helps bridge local innovation with international standards.
Let’s connect!