ATOM x AIS Technology Innovation 2026 Challenge

The Future of Data Analytics makes the impossible possible!

FIU’s Annual ATOM x AIS Challenge aims to develop and refine the data analytics and research skills of our FIU Business students as they are challenged to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world business problems. Challenge winners receive tuition scholarships and are sponsored to compete at the National AIS Challenge!

A set of prompts are offered to student competitors, who share the major findings of their research and analysis on their selected topic, presented to a panel of judges to critique and choose finalists from.

The finalists will be notified and asked to present their findings at the ATOM x AIS Analytics Challenge. The judges will then make their decisions and announce the winners. First-place will be sponsored to represent FIU Business at the AIS National Challenge!

Envisioning the Next Generation of Business Intelligence!

FIU's ATOM x AIS Technology Innovation Challenge aims to equip FIU students, our next generation of leaders, with the relevant technical skills and know how demanded by today’s business employers.

The Challenge charges our students to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world business problems. A set of business challenge scenarios are presented to participating student teams who share the major findings of their research and analysis on their selected case to a panel of judges.

Teams selected to advance to the Challenge Finals showcase their skills in a formal pitch presentation to a live judging panel of senior IS and business leaders.

Winners of the Challenge Finals are awarded scholarships towards their tuition, and are sponsored to compete at the Association for Information Systems (AIS) Student Chapter National Leadership Conference!

Scholarship Awards

First Place can win a scholarship up to $2,000 per team
Second Place can win a scholarship up to $1,000 per team
Third Place can win a scholarship up to $500 per team
Winners get a chance to be selected to join the National Association for Information Systems Student Leadership Competitions in March 2026!

Scholarship Terms

Federal student aid may be adjusted as a result of the posting of this scholarship. The Financial Aid Office will send a revised award letter should any adjustment takes place.

Students must have a valid aid eligible immigration/residency status to receive any institutional/program, such as U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Resident, or other eligible visa status

ADA Accommodations

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.

Submission Details

Participation is open to all currently enrolled FIU students.

Students will form teams of 3-4 members maximum to compete.

Prompt Details
The following 4 competition tracks are available:
1. Artificial Intelligence: AI Driven Talent Optimization
2. Business Analytics: Data-Driven Decision Making
3. Cybersecurity: Strengthening Cyber Defense in Financial Services
4. Cybersecurity & Risk Analysis: Securing Critical Infrastructure Supporting Data Centers
For details about each track please click here
What to Submit
The submission must contain the following:
1. A slide deck (i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva or similar) providing the following:
2. Defining the problem and providing the proposed solution or findings.
3. A brief description summarizing what’s great about the analysis and the visualization or prototype.
4. May include (is not limited to interactive visualizations, quantitative/financial analysis, charts, diagrams and prototype as applic
Video submission addresses the following:
1. Length must be 5-10 Minutes
2. URL must have authorization permitting pre-judges to view the video
3. Demo of prototype (if applicable)
4. Video must show both speakers and slide deck (i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva or similar).
How To Submit
Please click on the Submit Entry below and complete the submission by February 4th (Wednesday) 11:59pm.
Submit Entry
After Submission
- Teams will receive confirmation email acknowledging entry.
- Finalist teams selected will deliver a live presentation to judging panel of senior industry executives at the Challenge Finals. Finalist teams will be notified by email.
- Challenge winners will be announced at the Challenge Finals.

Important Dates

Event will take place on, Monday, February 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM to 5: 00 PM in CBC 233

Analytical Tools
Feel free to use any tools you have expertise with. Some suggestions are:
- IBM Watson Analytics
- Tableau
- PowerBI
- RapidMiner
- Mathematica
Competition Rules
- The project submission must be entirely the work of the student team. While faculty and other individuals can help review the submission, they should not contribute to the content of the report or the solution.
- Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
- The contest materials must be submitted by the due dates. Late submissions will not be accepted and no extensions will be given.
Judging Criteria
Quality of the analysis performed and/or solution proposed
1. Novelty/creativity/innovativeness – team demonstrated an original and potentially unexpected approach to the data analysis and/or proposal of solution(s).
2. Insight – team provided interesting and meaningful findings and interpretations.
3. Relevance – team’s analysis relates to the problem statement; team utilized appropriate tools and techniques.
4. Scope – team incorporated an adequate amount and variety of data analysis and/or research which were utilized appropriately within the solution proposal(s).
5. Utility – team drew accurate conclusions and were clear about the implications for decision making and strategy.
Quality of the PRESENTATION of the analysis and/or solution
1. Clarity – during the presentation, team provided a well-organized, complete, and clear description of the approach taken, research conducted, data utilized, and conclusions reached.
2. Consistency – during the presentation, team delivered conclusions and proposed solution(s) that were logically and reasonably consistent with the data analysis and research conducted.
3. Quality and effectiveness – during the presentation, team utilized suitable visuals and delivery style that worked to create a convincing and compelling narrative.
4. Engagement – during the presentation, multiple team members presented and/or participated by responding to questions. Overall, the team members exhibited command of the topic and sense of passion and enthusiasm for the ideas presented.
5. Documentation – team identified all sources of data and research; provided links to data sources and other documents (cited supporting research)

Search this website