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Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness
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Reinventing the Phone: AI-Native OS Hackathon Hosted by Stanford SDGC in Partnership with NEWNAL

“The Era of Apps is Over. The Era of AI-native OS has Begun.”

Reinventing the Phone: AI-Native OS Hackathon

Reinventing the Phone: AI-Native OS Hackathon

Event Dates: May 9–10, 2026 (Saturday–Sunday). Winning teams will be granted a main-stage speaking slot at the Newnal Conference on May 18th (Details TBA)

Registration: Open April 20, 2026 through May 4, 2026. Register at hackathon.newnal.com. 

Team guideline: Up to 20 teams total, max 5 people per team

Participants: Open to all Stanford undergraduate & graduate students 

Location: Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, Stanford University

Hackathon Tracks: Join the first generation of builders shaping an AI-native operating system through the following 2 Tracks: 

  • Track 1 — Redesigning the Newnal AIOS Phone Experience
  • Track 2 — Developing AI Agents on Newnal AIOS Phone

Prizes: Total Prize Pool of $10,000 will be awarded as follows: 

• 1st Place (overall): $5,000

• 2nd Place (overall): $3,000

• 3rd Place (overall): $2,000

Special Benefit [Newnal Phone]

As a special first release, all participants will be provided with Newnal AI OS mobile devices, allowing them to build, test, and prototype directly on real hardware throughout the hackathon. 

 

For full information and details (including to register for the event) 

hackathon.newnal.com

Registration guidlines:

Registration: Open April 20 through May 4, 2026

Up to 20 teams in total across all tracks

Maximum 5 members per team

Hackathon Tracks Participants may choose one of the following tracks or combine elements across tracks: Track 1 — Redesigning the Newnal AIOS Phone Experience

  • The Newnal V1 phone is a device that embodies the core architecture of Newnal OS. Design innovation includes but is not limited to: creating a new onboarding process, building a new AI interface, hardware design, and/or the archetypal UX fit for the new AI era.
  • Participants are encouraged, but not required, to consider sustainable principles, such as: (1) Systems designed to encourage sustainable consumption rather than maximize usage, (2) Designs that support Newnal’s mission of user sovereignty, including ethical data use and control.

Track 2 — Developing AI Agents on Newnal AIOS Phone

  • In the AI era, most of the IT technology-based services currently offered in the form of "Apps" will be converted to "AI Agents”. Implement AI Agent services that can be demonstrated on the Newnal AIOS phone provided with creative ideas on AI Agents that can grow into future killer AI services operating in the Newnal AIOS ecosystem.
  • Participants are encouraged, but not required, to consider sustainable principles, such as: (1) Leverage personal AI agents to solve real-world challenges in sustainability, accessibility, and social welfare, (2) AI services for underserved communities.

About the Stanford Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness

For over 20 years, the Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness (SDGC) at Stanford University has engaged in research and educational programs that integrate organization development strategies and cutting-edge technologies with leadership practices that will ensure growth and success within a healthy and sustainable environment.  Today, SDGC research is exploring the application of native AI solutions to global supply chains, product design and manufacturing, infrastructure and urban development, finance, and knowledge management.

About NEWNAL AI OS

NEWNAL is developing a next-generation AI operating system that runs natively on mobile devices, enabling a new paradigm of deeply personalized AI agents and experiences.

All participants will be provided with NEWNAL AI OS mobile devices, allowing them to build, test, and prototype directly on real hardware throughout the hackathon.

Team Formation

  • Up to 10 teams per track (20 teams overall)
  • Maximum 5 members per team
  • Eligibility: Stanford University students (undergraduate or graduate students)

Provided:

  • All participants will be given the Newnal AIOS Phone Version 1
  • Development documentation
  • Virtual Q&A support from the Newnal engineering team through Discord
  • Saturday Lunch and Sunday Refreshments

What you should bring:

  • Laptop and charger
  • Stanford Student ID (required at check-in)
  • Curiosity, creativity, and a strong drive to build

Communication

  • Discord Channel: Open now!
  • Upon application submission, participants will be invited to a dedicated communication channel providing:
    • Access to technical documentation and FAQs
    • Team formation support
    • Opportunities to connect with other participants
    • Virtual Q&A support from the Newnal engineering team available before and throughout the event.

This Discord channel will remain active after the hackathon to keep participants connected with Newnal, share post-event project progress, and engage with the broader AI OS developer community. 

Judging & Awards 

All team presentations on May 10 will be evaluated by a panel of judges from SDGC, Newnal, and select invited industry leaders. Winning teams will be granted a main-stage speaking slot at the Newnal AIOS Conference on May 18th from 3:00PM - 6:30PM. May 18, 2026 is a separate event for AI-native OS panel discussions as well as dedicated time for the winners to present their ideas. Further details will be shared with all participants.

Event Schedule

Applications & FAQ Open Now!  hackathon.newnal.com

Day 1 — Saturday, May 9, 2026

  • 09:00 – 09:30: Check-in & device distribution at Shriram Center
  • 09:30 – 12:00: Opening session, introductions, keynote series
  • 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
  • 13:00 – ?:??: Working time

Day 2 — Sunday, May 10, 2026

  • ?:?? – 13:30: Working time
  • 13:30: Check-in at Shriram Center  
  • 14:00 – 17:00: Team presentations
  • 17:00: Winner announcements

Awards Ceremony: 3:00PM - 6:30PM on May 18, 2026 (CoDA Building Room W450)