Registration open! Payment due by October 1, 2026.
$120 per entry — fewer than 10
$100 per entry — 10 or more
Early bird: 20% off all entries with code EARLYBIRD before July 1, 2026.
Fee waivers are available for under-resourced schools. Contact us to apply.
Junior Speech (Ages 7–10): We support the development of self-driving cars. — 5-min speech, solo
Middle Speech (Ages 11–13): There are jobs that AI should not be allowed to do, even if it is as good as humans.. — 7-min speech, solo
Senior Speech (Ages 14–18): AIs should be granted the rights of legal persons.. — 7-min speech, solo
Essay & Debate (Any age): AIs should be granted the rights of legal persons.. — 1,500-word essay, Pro or Con, group in 2 to 5
Schedule
Speech Competition
|
Nov 14, 2026 |
Speech videos due |
|
Nov 28, 2026 |
Finalists announced (top 20% of submissions in each category advance) |
|
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 6 PM ET |
Live finals before a panel |
Essay & Debate
|
Nov 14, 2026 |
Initial essays due |
|
Nov 28, 2026 |
Finalists announced (top 8 essays qualify) |
|
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 6 PM ET |
Quarterfinals (Zoom) |
|
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 7:30 PM ET |
Semifinals |
|
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 9 PM ET |
Finals |
Oppportunity to win the Cash Prize:
For Fall 2026, the grant funds a $3,500 prize pool distributed as follows:
|
DIVISION |
1ST |
2ND |
3RD |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Essay & Debate (top team) |
$1,000 |
$350 |
$200 |
|
Primary School Speech (ages 7–10) |
$400 |
$150 |
$100 |
|
Middle School Speech (ages 11–13) |
$400 |
$150 |
$100 |
|
High School Speech (ages 14–18) |
$400 |
$150 |
$100 |