A competition for Langley School District secondary students to partner, invent and innovate to solve significant world problems.

The 2026 IDEA-X Challenge kick-off will be held at the School Board Office:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 4:30-8:00pm.

→ 1 person per team should register here: bit.ly/ideaX2026

2026 IDEA-X Challenge Background

In today’s digital world, the way we consume information is rapidly evolving. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), social media, and algorithm-driven content, people are exposed to more information than ever before, often without knowing where it comes from or how it was created. AI tools can generate realistic images, videos, and text that blur the line between fact and fiction, making it harder to distinguish trustworthy sources from misleading ones. At the same time, traditional knowledge systems, including Indigenous ways of knowing, offer deeply rooted, community-based perspectives that are often overlooked in mainstream digital spaces. This challenge invites students to explore how these different systems of knowledge interact and influence how individuals and societies understand the world around them.

Critical thinking and media literacy have become essential skills in the AI era. Whether scrolling through social media, reading AI-generated news summaries, or engaging with cultural teachings, people must learn to ask thoughtful questions: Who created this content? What is its purpose? Is it accurate, biased, or incomplete? These questions are especially important as misinformation and disinformation can spread quickly online, affecting public trust, decision-making, and even democratic processes. By learning to evaluate both digital and traditional sources of information, students can become more informed citizens and help others do the same.

The IdeaX challenge encourages students to design innovative solutions that strengthen society’s ability to consume and evaluate information critically. Projects should consider how different cultures and communities define truth and trust, and how technology can support, but not replace, human judgment and wisdom. With up to $20,000 in scholarship funding available, this is an opportunity for students to make a meaningful impact while showcasing their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. 

2026 IDEA-X Challenge Prompt

Design a solution to improve how society consumes and critically evaluates information in the Artificial Intelligence era, considering digital content and culturally traditional knowledge systems – including Indigenous ways of knowing – and their impact on individual and societal trust and understanding. 

Examples from the Past:

Pitch videos from the 2022 winning teams: 

• Radiant: https://youtu.be/mKy9yRv54v0
• SUStainable Chaos: https://youtu.be/8_USNEYAZ08
• Team Astro: https://youtu.be/yMsyXbyQAl8

2022 Honourable Mentions:

• SAJE: https://youtu.be/aDLvUiOug6s
• SquareOne: https://youtu.be/kaaaQpKPSj0