KACST Opens Registration for 'Chipathon 2' in Electronic Chip Design for AI Applications
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced the opening of registration for the second edition of the "Chipathon" hackathon, organized by Academy 32 in collaboration with the Saudi Semiconductors Program. The Chipathon focuses on designing electronic chips for AI accelerator applications. It is open to male and female university students from across the Kingdom, and registration will continue until April 4, 2026.
"Chipathon 2" is a qualitative initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing national competencies and developing their skills in electronic chip design for AI applications. It provides a hands-on experience that combines academic knowledge with real-world industrial challenges, encourages innovation, and builds a pool of designers capable of competing globally.
The hackathon consists of several stages, starting with participant registration, followed by a selection and team formation phase. Participants then undergo online training programs starting from April 5, 2026, before proceeding to the challenge stages focused on designing electronic chips and conclude with the final ceremony where the teams' outcomes are showcased.
The Chipathon is sponsored by several specialized companies: Siemens provides software licenses to participants, CDT and SemChip offer specialized training programs, and the Saudi Electronics Materials Company defines the industrial challenges.
The organization of the second edition of the Chipathon is part of the National Lab's efforts to develop national capabilities in integrated circuit design. It aims to attract more than 1,000 male and female students to develop 10 advanced prototypes of electronic chips tailored for artificial intelligence applications, thereby contributing to strengthening the national innovation ecosystem.
KACST invites university students and interested participants to register and take advantage of the training and practical opportunities to develop their skills and strengthen their presence in this vital sector.
