Austin AI Hub Global Hackathon — Call for Code AI: United Against Trafficking
Effective Date: May 1, 2026 · Last Updated: April 17, 2026 · Version: 2026
By registering for or participating in the Call for Code AI: United Against Trafficking hackathon (the “Hackathon”), you (“Participant”) agree to the following terms. These Terms of Participation are a binding legal agreement between you and Austin AI Hub, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and any other Hackathon communications, guidelines, or materials, these Terms control.
Participation is limited to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of registration. By participating, you represent and confirm that you meet this requirement. Participation is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Participants are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in their jurisdiction, including sanctions and export control regulations. Austin AI Hub may restrict participation or prize eligibility as necessary to comply with applicable international sanctions frameworks or partner requirements.
Participation is on an individual basis (including teams composed of individuals). Teams may consist of one (1) to five (5) members. Each participant may be listed on one team only. Participation does not create any partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between Participant and Austin AI Hub, or with any affiliated entity, partner, or sponsor.
The Hackathon is a skill-based competition. Winners are determined based on merit using criteria established by Austin AI Hub. No element of chance is used in determining winners. Judging criteria and processes are determined solely by the organizers and may be applied at their discretion. All judging decisions are final and binding.
Participation is voluntary. Austin AI Hub may accept, reject, or remove participants or submissions in good faith, including for violations of these Terms, the Hackathon Guidelines and Rules, the Code of Conduct, or applicable laws. Disqualification may result from, but is not limited to: exploitative depictions, use of real victim data without consent, undisclosed pre-existing projects, plagiarism, solutions that facilitate trafficking, judges or organizers competing, failure to provide a working demo, absence of human oversight on high-stakes decisions, harassment or Code of Conduct violations, fraudulent team members or registrations, malicious code, or violation of data ethics policies.
Participants retain ownership of all intellectual property rights in their submissions (“Submissions”). No intellectual property transfers are required by participation in this Hackathon.
Participants grant Austin AI Hub and its affiliates a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, distribute, and share Submissions for purposes of operating, judging, promoting, and showcasing the Hackathon and related initiatives (including press, social media, and educational use). This license remains in effect for these purposes.
Submissions are not confidential. Participants acknowledge that Submissions may be publicly displayed, shared, or discussed.
Participants understand that public disclosure may affect patent rights. Participants are responsible for protecting their intellectual property, including checking employer obligations. Austin AI Hub is not responsible for any loss of such rights.
Participants confirm that:
Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless Austin AI Hub, Call for Code, UN Human Rights, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from infringement, misappropriation, or material violations of these Terms.
Austin AI Hub may modify aspects of the Hackathon in good faith, including partners, sponsors, judges, schedule, format, or prizes. References to partners or sponsors reflect current plans and are not guaranteed.
Prizes are subject to sponsor participation, funding availability, legal requirements, and operational considerations. Austin AI Hub will use reasonable efforts to deliver prizes but may modify or substitute them if necessary. Prize eligibility and delivery may be limited by applicable laws, sanctions, or logistical constraints. Austin AI Hub may substitute or withhold prizes where required.
Participants are responsible for any taxes or reporting obligations related to prizes. Austin AI Hub may require tax documentation before awarding prizes.
Austin AI Hub may require potential winners to verify their identity, location, and eligibility before receiving any prize, including by providing identifying information or documentation. Austin AI Hub reserves the right to withhold prizes pending verification and to disqualify any participant who provides false, inaccurate, or misleading information or fails to complete the verification process.
Participants agree that they are not relying on any specific sponsor, partner, judge, or prize beyond what is stated in these Terms.
Participation does not guarantee exposure, funding, employment, or other opportunities.
The Hackathon is provided “as-is” and “as-available.” Austin AI Hub makes no guarantees regarding accuracy, availability, or uninterrupted operation. All materials, mentorship, and platforms are provided without warranties of any kind.
Austin AI Hub will use commercially reasonable efforts to support the Hackathon but is not liable for technical issues, delays, or interruptions.
Participants may withdraw their Submission by written notice at least fifteen (15) days before the final submission deadline (July 9, 2026). Withdrawal removes the Submission from further participation; however, any prior use and the granted license remain in effect.
Participants agree to act respectfully and professionally. Austin AI Hub may remove participants for inappropriate, disruptive, harassing, or exploitative behavior. A detailed Code of Conduct is published in the Hackathon Guidelines and Rules. Violations of the Code of Conduct are violations of these Terms.
Participants grant Austin AI Hub the right to use their name, likeness, team name, and Submission details for Hackathon-related promotion. This includes audio, video, and audiovisual recordings made during any in-person or virtual Hackathon events, including livestreams, recordings, and related broadcasts.
Participants are responsible for monitoring Hackathon communications and deadlines.
Austin AI Hub may publish submission requirements, deadlines, and judging criteria on its official platform. Participants are responsible for reviewing and complying with such requirements. Official Platform URL: https://hackathon.austinaihub.org
Participant consents to the collection, use, and processing of personal data for Hackathon administration and related communications, in accordance with Austin AI Hub’s Privacy Policy and applicable law. Austin AI Hub will retain submission data for up to twelve (12) months following the Hackathon for purposes of mentorship coordination, showcasing winners, and program reporting. After twelve months, data will be archived or deleted. Participants may request deletion of their data at any time by emailing team@austinaihub.org. Deletion requests do not apply to materials already published or used in promotional content. We comply with applicable data protection laws including GDPR for European participants. No submission data will be sold to or shared with third parties beyond the stated showcase license.
Privacy Policy URL: https://hackathon.austinaihub.org/privacy.html
Austin AI Hub is not obligated to review submissions for compliance or infringement.
Austin AI Hub is not responsible for delays or failure due to events beyond its reasonable control.
Austin AI Hub may assign its rights and obligations under these Terms.
Disputes will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Travis County, Texas, on an individual basis. Class actions are waived. Nothing in the Hackathon Guidelines and Rules shall be construed to alter or supersede this arbitration provision.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas.
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder remains valid.
Austin AI Hub may restrict or deny participation or prize eligibility as necessary to comply with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including export control and sanctions requirements, or where participation or prize fulfillment is not feasible for operational or compliance reasons.
By registering, including by clicking a registration button or checkbox, Participant confirms acceptance of these Terms of Participation. These Terms, together with the Hackathon Guidelines and Rules published on the official platform, constitute the complete agreement between Participant and Austin AI Hub regarding the Hackathon.
Questions about these Terms? team@austinaihub.org