Agentic AI Challenge

How can agentic AI reshape the way we ask – and answer – economic questions?

This spring, the Kautz-Uible Economics Institute is excited to launch its first AI competition. Students are invited to build original AI agents that tackle real economic problems using creative ideas, smart automation, and clear connections to how economists think about markets, policy, and decision-making.

Winning teams receive prizes!

First Place: $4,000

Remaining four teams receive $1,000.

Competition Details

Key Dates:

Register your team by Monday, February 16 at 11:59 PM
Submit your competition entry by Monday, March 9 at 11:59 PM

A panel of judges will review all submissions and name the top five teams, who will present their work on Wednesday, April 1 at Lindner Hall.

Please note: On the team registration form above, each team will designate a team lead who will be the primary point of contact for the group and responsible for submitting competition materials. After you register your team, we will provide the team lead with a link to a OneDrive folder, where they will upload all competition materials.

Review the Judging Rubric | View Sample Video Submission

If you have any questions regarding the competition, please reach out to Dr. Jones at jonm9@ucmail.uc.edu or Sarah at asebrosa@ucmail.uc.edu.

How does it work?

Form a team, design an AI agent, and explain what it does and why it matters. To be considered, teams must submit a short video and supporting materials that demonstrate both the economic purpose and technical design of their agent.

Who is eligible to participate?

Teams may include 1-4 University of Cincinnati students, and at least one member must be an Economics or Business Economics major. Each team will designate a team lead who will be the primary point of contact for the group and responsible for submitting competition materials.

How do teams submit their entries?

After you register your team using the button above, we will reach out with instructions on how to submit your competition materials.

What do teams need to submit?

Each team must submit the following materials:

Agent Documentation:
- A single Markdown file named Claude.md or Agents.md describing the agent’s design, economic rationale, and implementation.
Video Presentation
- A 5–10-minute video explaining the agent’s economic application, how it works, and the key insights it produces.
Agent Output Artifact
- An artifact representing the output of your AI agent (for example: analysis, visualization, report, or interactive tool).

How will submissions be judged?

Submissions will be evaluated in four categories:

Originality
Economic Relevance
Sophistication & Complexity
Quality of Video Presentation

Each category will be scored on a 0–10 scale, for a maximum possible score of 40 points. Please refer to the rubric linked above for more information.