Partner event
Beijing · Linz — City of the Future
A partner event of the AI Hackathon, co-organized by Ars Electronica together with the 2026 Design Day Marathon International Creative Week in Beijing.
September 11–12, 2026 // Online, from Beijing
The partner hackathon at a glance
- When
- September 11–12, 2026 — 48 hours, in parallel with the hackathon in Linz
- Where
- Online, from Beijing, as part of the 2026 Design Day Marathon International Creative Week
- Who takes part
- More than 300 interdisciplinary students from over 100 Chinese universities
- Ars Electronica
- Co-organizer. Selected projects will be shared with the Ars Electronica community afterwards.
While our hackathon is underway, Ars Electronica is also co-organizing a parallel event: the Beijing–Linz Joint Hackathon: City of the Future, taking place online on September 11–12, 2026, together with the 2026 Design Day Marathon International Creative Week in Beijing.
Three themes, 48 hours
Over 300 interdisciplinary students from more than 100 Chinese universities will spend 48 hours exploring three themes.
- Sustainable Future Cities
- AI-Powered Cultural Twins for Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Next-Generation Digital Entertainment
Two hackathons, one question: what is the city of the future?
What happens afterwards
Selected outstanding projects from the Beijing hackathon will be shared with the Ars Electronica community afterwards — a chance to see how creators on the other side of the world are tackling the same questions about art, technology, and the future of our cities.
The wider Creative Week in Beijing
- September 5, 2026Opening ceremonyStart of the 2026 Design Day Marathon International Creative Week.
- September 11–12, 2026Phase 1: Beijing · Linz City of the Future Ars Electronica HackathonThe 48-hour joint hackathon, running online in parallel with the AI Hackathon in Linz.
- September 15–19, 2026Phase 2: Yanshen · Kiln Fire WorkshopA workshop week in the Creative Week program.
- September 20, 2026Phase 3: MAD Talk — Lifestyles of the Next Decade Thematic ForumA thematic forum closing the Creative Week.
Partner institutions
The 2026 Design Day Marathon is organized in Beijing together with partners from design, industry, and higher education.
Taking part in Linz
The Beijing hackathon is organized by our partners in China. To join the AI Hackathon at the Grand Garage in Linz on September 11–12, 2026, register on the City of Linz participation platform.