Hackathon: AI Manipulation

​​Important registration information: ​​To participate in this event, please sign up through Apart Research's event page before registering. You are also encouraged to make a team on Apart Research's Discord Sever prior to the start of the hackathon.
​The line between authentic interaction and strategic manipulation is disappearing as AI systems master deception, sycophancy, sandbagging, and psychological exploitation at scale. Our ability to detect, measure, and counter these behaviours is dangerously underdeveloped.
​This hackathon brings together 500+ builders to prototype systems that could help us measure, detect, and defend against AI manipulation. You'll have one intensive weekend to build something real – tools that could actually help us understand and mitigate one of AI safety's most pressing challenges.
​Top teams get:

• ​💰 $2,000 in cash prizes
• ​The chance to continue development through Apart Research's Fellowship program
• ​Guaranteed acceptance to present at the IASEAI workshop in Paris on the 26th of February 2026

​​You will work in teams over one weekend and submit open-source benchmarks, detection tools, scenario analyses, monitoring tools, or empirical research advancing our understanding of AI trajectories.
​​​​​​Trajectory Labs, the jamsite, provides a comfortable and spacious coworking space along with coffee, tea, and other refreshments (meals not provided, but there are many nearby options). Other locations will also be taking part!