The U.S. Space Force (USSF) has opened registration for its second annual Artificial Intelligence Challenge, set to begin on July 16, 2025. 

The challenge promotes innovation and collaboration in AI, culminating in an awards ceremony at the Space Power Conference in Orlando this December.

Teams — led by a Space Force Guardian — will compete in Operations, Space Acquisitions, or Staff Support categories. Participants will engage in training sessions, develop AI solutions, and present to technical experts, with top teams advancing to present before senior Department of the Air Force leaders in October.

“The 2025 AI Challenge is a team-building activity focused on solving staff, acquisition, and operational problems. This experience is designed to support innovation and encourage Guardians to leverage disruptive solutions like AI to gain advantage over the pacing threat,” said Col. Nathan Iven, acting deputy chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data at Headquarters, Space Force.

Five awards will be presented, including top AI solutions in each of the three categories — operations, space acquisitions, and staff support — along with a Guardians’ Choice award voted on by the Guardian workforce, and an overall grand prize winner.

“I look forward to the solutions our Guardians will build and, more importantly, the partnerships they will establish during this year’s challenges,” said Chandra Donelson, Data and AI officer for the U.S. Space Force.