Forty graduate students from 11 California universities tackled pressing industry and societal challenges at the AI Pitch Competition organized and hosted by UC Riverside’s student Product Club in February. The contest required teams to collaborate and present innovative AI-driven solutions to real-world business questions.

Students formed teams in early February and, over the course of the month, competitors engaged in virtual guideline sessions and a Q&A round. They then submitted their pitch decks and presented their ideas to a panel of judges for the Feb. 28 final event at UCR’s new School of Business building. This multi-stage process allowed participants to gain valuable experience not just in developing solutions, but also in refining communication and presentation skills that are essential in professional settings.

The best solutions—judged on innovation, feasibility, and impact—were awarded cash prizes and recognition. While the awards acknowledged the strongest entries, the competition also underscored the importance of learning by doing and pushing students to apply their classroom knowledge to the kinds of problems they may face in their future careers.

Learning Through Competing

The AI Pitch Competition fostered creative problem-solving and prepared students for careers in AI, product management, and technology-driven industries. Competitions like these are more than just contests; they serve as opportunities for students to practice collaboration under pressure, exercise leadership within teams, and learn how to communicate technical ideas to non-technical audiences.

Student teams of two to four members in any major selected an industry challenge and developed an AI-driven solution. Because students were from varying majors, the teamwork highlighted an interdisciplinary approach. Engineers worked alongside business students, data scientists collaborated with anthropologists, and future marketers contributed fresh insights into consumer needs. This mix of disciplines reflected the reality of the modern workplace, where solving complex challenges requires diverse perspectives.

The preparation required for the competition also allowed students to connect with industry leaders and mentors who provided real-world exposure. These interactions offered students guidance on how to think critically about the impact of AI on industries, ethical considerations, and how technology can be responsibly scaled. For many participants, the experience was not just about the pitch itself, but also about expanding their professional networks and gaining mentorship that could extend beyond the competition.

AI Pitch Competition Winners

The first-place team was Project Hawkeye from UC Riverside, which presented a software verification testing agent designed to improve the reliability of software systems. Their solution impressed judges with its strong balance of technical feasibility and industry relevance.

Placing second was AIVisionaries from USC Marshall, which presented an AI workforce manager. Their idea focused on improving how companies manage and optimize their human capital through intelligent automation, reflecting one of the most pressing areas of business transformation today.

Third place was awarded to RadyPMClub from UC San Diego, which presented NomiAI: Your smart sake assistant. This creative consumer-facing application demonstrated how AI can be embedded into lifestyle and cultural experiences, standing out for its originality and niche-market focus.

The competition’s judges included UC Riverside professors across disciplines: Anthropology Department Lecturer Stephen James, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Associate Teaching Professor Paea LePendu, Assistant Professor of Teaching Information Systems Sanjoy Moulik, Associate Professor of Marketing Ashish Sood, and Assistant Professor of Teaching Information Systems Rich Yueh. Their collective expertise ensured that student solutions were evaluated from multiple perspectives, including technical soundness, business potential, and societal relevance.

By the conclusion of the competition, students walked away not only with recognition and prizes but also with a deeper understanding of how AI can be applied to diverse problems, from software engineering to workforce management to consumer engagement. The event highlighted UC Riverside’s commitment to fostering innovation, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students to thrive in a technology-driven future.