AI Hack for Freedom is the first AI-centered hackathon created and led by human rights advocates living under authoritarian regimes. Hosted by Bitcoin Park on January 17–18, 2026 in downtown Austin, Texas, the event brings together global human rights defenders from the Human Rights Foundation’s network and top open-source AI developers to push the boundaries of freedom-enhancing technology.
Participants will compete for 1 BTC in total prizes, including a grand prize for the most impactful project and additional awards highlighting standout tools across multiple categories. Throughout the hackathon, dissidents will present their most urgent challenges—censorship, surveillance, connectivity barriers, and financial repression. Developers will then collaborate directly with them to build tools that strengthen secure communication, organization, and personal safety under repressive conditions.
AI will play a central role, accelerating ideation, prototyping, and iteration so teams can turn critical concepts into functional tools within hours or days. The hackathon aligns with HRF’s mission to advance AI as a force for freedom by rapidly equipping activists with practical, life-saving technologies and introducing them to new ways AI can empower their work today and in the future.
Sponsored by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), AI Hack for Freedom marks a groundbreaking step in combining AI innovation with the fight for human liberty worldwide.
Apply here: aihackforfreedom.org/apply
✨ Bitcoin Park Austin is a dedicated hub for the Bitcoin community in Texas, built to support builders, thinkers, developers, and plebs who are focused on the future of Bitcoin and open-source innovation.