Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Fall 2026 Global AI Debates — registration, topics, deadlines, pricing, and access. If your question isn't answered here, write to us at GlobalAIDebates@gmail.com.
What is the Global AI Debates?
The Global AI Debates is an international academic competition where secondary students engage with the most urgent ethical questions about artificial intelligence. It is run by the Modus Ponens Institute in partnership with TKEthics and DebateUS, backed by the UC Berkeley Debate Society, and supported by a $10,000 grant from the Future of Life Institute.
Judges are drawn from leading AI institutions including MIT, OpenAI, and Perplexity.
Who organises the competition?
The Global AI Debates is jointly organised by the Modus Ponens Institute, TKEthics, and DebateUS, backed by the UC Berkeley Debate Society. It is led by veteran organisers behind the Harvard and Georgetown debate tournaments and the Pan American Ethics Olympiads.
What tracks can I enter?
There are two tracks:
- Speech Competition (solo) — for Primary, Middle, and High School students. Record and submit a speech; finalists deliver their speech live on Zoom.
- Essay & Debate Track (team) — for teams of 2–5, any age. Submit a team essay for or against the topic; finalists compete in live debates on Zoom.
What are the Fall 2026 topics?
Can a student compete alone in Essay & Debate?
No. The Essay & Debate Track is a team event. Teams must consist of 2 to 5 students, of any age. Students who want to compete individually should enter the Speech Competition in their age division.
Do citations and bibliography count toward the 1500-word essay limit?
No. Citations and bibliography do not count toward the word total. However, essays exceeding 1500 words (excluding citations) will not be considered.
How much does it cost to enter?
- Teams submitting 10 or more entries: $100 USD per entry
- Teams submitting fewer than 10 entries: $120 USD per entry
An entry is a single speech (one student) or a single essay (one team of 2–5 students).
Are there any discounts?
Co-Registration Discount: Register for one of our tracks plus the Georgetown Tournament Speech Track for a combined total of $140 USD for both events.
Can I register now and add student names later?
Yes. Student names are not required until your entry is submitted. You can pay for your teams in advance and add the names later. Registrations are accepted through to the day essay and speech submissions are due.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. The Promotion & Access Fund — supported by the Future of Life Institute grant — helps subsidise registration for students from under-resourced schools. To request support, fill out our Fee Waiver & Discount Request Form and we'll be in touch with next steps.
What are the key dates?
- November 21, 2026 — Registration closes (extended from November 14); speech videos and initial essays due
- November 28, 2026 — Finalists announced (top 20% of speeches in each category; top 8 essays)
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 — Live finals on Zoom
What does finals day look like?
All finals take place online on Saturday, December 5, 2026:
- 6:00 PM ET — Live Speech Finals (panel) and Essay & Debate Quarterfinals
- 7:30 PM ET — Essay & Debate Semifinals
- 9:00 PM ET — Essay & Debate Finals
What prizes are awarded?
Fall 2026 features a $3,500 prize pool, funded by the Future of Life Institute grant:
- Essay & Debate: US$1,000 for the champion, US$350 for the finalist, and US$100 each for the two semifinalist teams.
- Primary School Speech: $400 / $150 / $100
- Middle School Speech: $400 / $150 / $100
- High School Speech: $400 / $150 / $100
Additionally, the top participant from any Urban Debate League receives a $100 prize in each division.
Will winning work be published?
Yes. Top essays and speeches from Fall 2026 will be published on the Future of Life Institute website, as well as on our own Modus Ponens Institute and Global AI Debates websites.
What is an Urban Debate League and how do I know if I qualify?
Urban Debate Leagues are nonprofit networks that bring competitive debate programmes to public schools in major cities, primarily serving students who would otherwise lack access to debate. If your school's debate programme is run by or affiliated with an Urban Debate League, you qualify for the $100 top-participant prize in your division. If you're unsure, write to us and we'll confirm.
Can students from outside the US enter?
Yes. The Global AI Debates is open internationally. Past competitions have drawn students from across North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe — including students at public schools without institutional debate support. The entire competition is held online.
How do I register?
Registration runs from January through November 21, 2026. Visit globalaidebates.com to register. You can pay for your teams in advance and submit student names and entries later, up to the submission deadline.
Who are our judges?
Our judging panels are drawn from leading AI organisations, universities, and the academic debate and ethics communities. Past judges have included researchers and practitioners from MIT, OpenAI, Perplexity, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and major universities, alongside scholars of argumentation and ethics.
Recent panellists include:
- Priten Soundar-Shah — CEO of PedagogyVentures; B.A. in Philosophy, Harvard College; M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education; Visiting Researcher at the Harvard Department of Philosophy.
- Ayantola Alayande — PhD Candidate at the University of Oxford; Researcher at the Global Center on AI Governance, working on AI infrastructure, governance, and responsible AI policy.
Specific panels for each round are confirmed closer to the event.
I want to judge — how can I sign up?
We'd love to have you. Judges typically have a background in AI, ethics, debate, philosophy, education, or a related field — but we welcome anyone with strong analytical skills and an interest in the topics.
To express interest, write to GlobalAIDebates@gmail.com with a short note about your background. The dedicated Fall 2026 judging sign-up form will be circulated closer to the event.
I want to donate — how can I support the competition?
Thank you — donations directly expand the Promotion & Access Fund, which subsidises registration for students from under-resourced schools and helps bring the competition to more students worldwide.
To donate or discuss partnership and sponsorship, write to GlobalAIDebates@gmail.com and we'll send through the relevant details.