Tencent Cloud has launched its 2026' AI CAN DO IT'Game Development Hackathon, a worldwide competition designed to inspire students and developers to harness AI for creativity, cultural expression, and social impact.
"We are looking for the new game-design mindset of the AI-Native generation." Freda Xu, vice president of marketing, Tencent Cloud and Smart Industries Group, said, "AI breaks down the traditional barriers of programming. It not only enhances the engineering capabilities of computer science students but also empowers students from design, arts, and humanities to express their creativity and bring their visions to life. The entire supply chain of game creation is being reshaped by AI."
AI CAN DO IT
Hosted by Tencent Cloud and co-organised with Tencent WeTech Academy, the hackathon centres on three pillars, including Social Good, Cultural Expression, and Narrative Innovation. Participants are encouraged to integrate AI into game design elements, including world-building, concept art, audio design, and safety systems.
It spans five major regions: Hong Kong and Macau SAR, East China, North China, South China, and Southeast Asia.
Winning teams from campus and regional rounds will advance to the global finals at the 2026 Tencent Global Digital Ecosystem Summit in September. The teams will compete for a token prize pool worth millions of Hong Kong dollars.
The initiative was officially announced during the Tencent AI Campus Tour at the University of Hong Kong on April 16.
