Global AI Debates Fall 2026

Registration open! Payment due by October 1, 2026.

Registration & Pricing

$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. （Complete your registration by then to receive 20% off automatically at checkout. No coupon code is required.)

Fee waivers are available for under-resourced schools. Contact us to apply.

Register Now

Topics — Fall 2026

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

 

Opportunity to win the Cash Prize:

For Fall 2026, the grant funds a $3,500 prize pool distributed as follows:

Fall 2026 Prize Pool

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