IIT Mandi and Japan’s AIFUL Corporation Organise AIHack 2026 with Over Rs. 2.5 Lakh in Prizes.
200 participants to develop predictive analytics models to address real-world challenges in consumer finance during three-day hackathon.
Shimla:
The School of Management at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, in collaboration with Japan-based AIFUL Corporation, is organising the second edition of AIHack 2026 from October 16 to 18 at the institute’s Kamand campus in Himachal Pradesh. The three-day hackathon brings together 200 participants to develop data-driven solutions to real-world challenges in the consumer finance sector, with total prize money exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, AIHack 2026 focuses on the theme of Predictive Analytics in Consumer Finance. Participants will work with real-world datasets provided by AIFUL Corporation to develop predictive models and practical business solutions.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements by providing students with hands-on experience in data analytics, problem-solving and business decision-making. Participants will be encouraged to analyse complex business situations, apply analytical techniques and translate their findings into actionable recommendations.
IIT Mandi Director Professor Laxmidhar Behera said the institute believed technological innovation should be directed towards solving real-world problems. He noted that AIHack offered students an opportunity to apply their analytical skills to practical business challenges and interact with international industry experts.
He said the continued collaboration with AIFUL Corporation reflected the institute’s commitment to strengthening industry-academia partnerships and promoting experiential learning.
Professor Anjan K. Swain, Chairperson of the School of Management at IIT Mandi, said AIHack reflected the institute’s efforts to make management education more practical and industry-oriented.
He emphasised that the challenge was not limited to building predictive models but also involved understanding the business problems underlying the data and developing effective solutions accordingly. The second consecutive edition of the event highlighted the sustained partnership between IIT Mandi’s School of Management and AIFUL Corporation.
Daiki Machida, General Manager of AIFUL Corporation’s Group Data Analytics Department, said the company was pleased to continue its collaboration with IIT Mandi. He noted that predictive analytics was becoming increasingly important in consumer finance and expressed hope that participants would present innovative solutions through their analytical capabilities.
Japanese Industry Experts to Interact with Participants
AIHack 2026 also features participation from AIFUL Corporation’s data analytics specialists, who will provide industry perspectives on contemporary applications of data analytics in consumer finance.
The participating representatives include Daiki Machida, General Manager; Minori Tsukamoto, Section Manager; and Harsh Tiwari, Data Scientist, among other members of the company’s analytics team.
Their participation is expected to give students valuable exposure to industry practices and emerging analytical approaches.
Beyond the competition, AIHack 2026 aims to strengthen collaboration between India and Japan in industry, education and research. The initiative also seeks to identify emerging talent and encourage joint research, industry-sponsored projects and future institutional partnerships.
Through the event, IIT Mandi’s School of Management aims to nurture professionals who can combine analytical expertise with business understanding and responsible decision-making.
