Global AI Debates — Spring 2026 (Online)

You’re invited to the 2026 Spring Global AI Debates, an international academic competition where students engage urgent questions about artificial intelligence.

Registration handled externally. Learn more at https://globalaidebates.com/.

Organizers & judges
Run by Modus Ponens Institute, TKEThics, and DebateUS, backed by the UC Berkeley Debate Society. Past judges have included experts from leading AI organizations (e.g., MIT, OpenAI, Perplexity).

Tracks

1) Speech Competition (Solo) — Primary, Middle, and High School students

• Record and submit a speech

• Finalists deliver live speeches on Zoom

2) Essay + Debate Track (Team) — Teams of 2–5, any age group

• Submit a team essay Pro or Con

• Finalists compete in live debates on Zoom

Topics (by category)

• Primary School Speech (ages 7–10): Schools should use AI Teachers. (5 min)

• Middle School Speech (ages 11–13): AI will be bad for the media ecosystem. (7 min)

• High School Speech (ages 14–18): We support the Future of Life Institute Statement on superintelligence. (7 min)

• Essay + Debate (any age): We support the Future of Life Institute Statement on superintelligence. (1500 words, Pro or Con)
  Citations/bibliography don’t count toward the word count; over-length essays are not considered.

Registration & pricing

• Registration opens: Jan 1, 2026

• Registration ends: Apr 1, 2026

• Pricing:

  • 10+ entries: $100 USD per entry

  • Fewer than 10 entries: $120 USD per entry

• Early Bird discounts:

  • Jan 1–Jan 31: 20% off

  • Feb 1–Feb 28: 10% off

• Co-registration discount: If you co-register for one of our tracks and for the Georgetown Tournament Speech Track, the total is $140 USD for both events.

• Student names aren’t due until you submit an entry; you can pay first and add details later.

Schedule (ET)

Speech Competition

• Apr 15, 2026: Speech videos due

• Apr 20, 2026: Break announced

• Finals: Apr 25, 2026 @ 6:00 PM ET (Zoom) — live speeches in front of a panel

• Advancement: Top 20% of submissions in each category advance

Essay + Debate Track

• Apr 15, 2026: Essays due

• Apr 20, 2026: Break announced

• Top 8 essays qualify for final debate rounds

• Finals (Zoom): May 2, 2026

  • 6:00 PM ET: Quarterfinals

  • 7:30 PM ET: Semifinals

  • 9:00 PM ET: Finals

Questions

Email: GlobalAIDebates@gmail.com