General News
7 February, 2026
Take the AI challenge
A 10-month global technology challenge aimed at students, freelancers and creative storytellers has been launched, with Far North Queensland participants encouraged to take part.
The challenge is hosted through James Cook University’s Smithfield campus and is designed as a long-form alternative to a traditional hackathon, open to both coders and storytellers.
Andrew Lizzio and Regina Meyer of Cairns-based start-up MyPaloma said the extended format allowed people to join at any stage and still build momentum across the life of the challenge.
“The challenge is actually 10 months long, so it is longer than a conventional hackathon,” Mr Lizzio said.
“And it’s not only for coders, so it’s also for storytellers.”
Ms Meyer said the storytellers’ role would be to document and broadcast the work of development teams, creating collaboration between technical and creative participants.
Organisers are encouraging year 11 and 12 students, university students and freelancers to form teams of at least three people.
The challenge includes a $6 million profit-share prize pool, funded by memberships and future revenue generated by the project.
“So that’s for the winners,” Ms Meyer said. “So, there’s $6 million.”
The challenge is linked to the development of an AI platform called Paloma, which organisers describe as a decentralised, phone-based system that operates without central data centres.
“Within that app is embedded a small secure AI,” Mr Lizzio said.
“The information only gets put together on your device, so it’s really secure.”
The pair said this model reduced environmental costs associated with large data centres and allowed users to retain control of their data.
The project will include weekly live streams on Wednesdays from the Connectivity Café at JCU, along with about 20 scheduled milestone events over the 10 months.
“These are short touch points covering submission time, who is shortlisted and all the twists and turns,” Ms Meyer said.
The challenge will culminate in a grand final in November 2026, featuring a reality-TV-style showdown between three shortlisted teams.
To learn more about MyPaloma, visit their website: www.bit.ly/494So9P
