#  STAI-X 2026 Conference Data Challenge 

 





May 05, 2026

 

 

   ![STAI-X-Challenge](/sites/g/files/omnuum10116/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2026-05/STAI-X-Challenge.png?itok=9BH57pfT) 

 

The Department of Statistics invites you to participate in the [**STAI-X 2026 Data Challenge**](https://statsupai.org/STAIX2026/challenge.html)!

This challenge leads up to our inaugural [**STAI-X Conference**](https://statsupai.org/STAIX2026/index.html) on Statistics and Trustworthy AI for Cross (X)-Domain Acceleration. The event will be held July 31–August 1, 2026, at Harvard University, hosted by the Departments of Statistics and Biostatistics. The conference is organized in partnership with leading statistical organizations, journals, and the [StatsUpAI Interest Group ](https://statsupai.org/)of the American Statistical Association.

## **The Challenge**

The STAI-X Challenge invites participants to develop integrated statistical and AI-driven solutions for a high-impact public health problem: forecasting state-level rates of suspected nonfatal overdose emergency department visits. Drug overdose remains a leading cause of injury-related mortality in the United States, and timely, accurate surveillance is critical for public health response. Participants harness a broad array of public signals: social determinants of health, environmental exposures, digital behavioral indicators and clinical syndromic surveillance to forecast.

## **Participation & Awards**

We welcome individuals and teams from around the world to develop innovative solutions in a competitive and collaborative setting. The challenge features multiple award tracks:

- **Award A:** Leaderboard Excellence
- **Award B:** AI Automation
- **Award C:** Statistical Agents

This is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in statistics, machine learning, AI agents, and reproducible data science.

## **Key Dates**

- **Competition Period:** May 4 – June 15, 2026
- **Registration Deadline:** June 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM UTC
- **Winners Announced:** July 1, 2026

## Registration

You can [register here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM1rlxTt-VuSWm7a2wHZOqwXvaAeJkUnZboiEfRYrd_OhnHQ/viewform). We encourage you to share this opportunity widely with students, trainees, researchers, and practitioners. We hope you will join us and help spread the word!