Pune: The OpenAI Academy × NxtWave Pune Regional Buildathon, hosted at Ajeenkya DY Patil University, brought together over 1,000 engineering students from across Maharashtra, highlighting the growing depth and diversity of India’s emerging AI Talent.
With participation from more than 350 student teams, the 48-hour GenAI sprint emerged as one of the largest regional AI buildathons conducted in Pune.
First-year engineering students from institutions including Sanjay Ghodawat University, Vasireddy Venkataiah Institute of Technology, NIAT, and Ajeenkya DY Patil University actively participated in the 48-hour buildathon, reflecting early adoption of AI skills and hands-on innovation among India’s next generation of AI Talent.
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AI Talent Development Aligned with IndiaAI Mission
The OpenAI Academy × NxtWave Buildathon served as a pre-summit event affiliated with the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in January.
The summit is a flagship global initiative hosted by the Government of India under the IndiaAI Mission, aimed at accelerating India’s leadership in artificial intelligence.
Organized under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) IndiaAI initiative, the buildathon focuses on nurturing AI Talent by enabling young innovators to explore artificial intelligence applications across healthcare, education, agriculture, business, and public safety.
Addressing the participants, Guest of Honour Santosh Kulkarni, Senior Director – Data Technology Consulting at EPAM Systems, emphasized the importance of early exposure to industry-relevant AI development.
He noted that initiatives such as the OpenAI Academy × NxtWave Buildathon play a vital role in shaping industry-ready AI Talent by combining practical building experiences with real-world problem-solving contexts.
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NxtWave Expands Access to Regional AI Talent
Rahul Attuluri, CEO and Co-Founder of NxtWave, highlighted the role of regional buildathons in identifying and nurturing untapped AI Talent from emerging technology hubs such as Pune.
He stated that the platform provides students with mentorship, exposure, and confidence to translate ideas into practical AI-driven solutions.
What began as a nationwide initiative engaging over 70,000 learners has evolved into a large-scale platform supporting AI innovation and career aspirations across India.
According to NxtWave, the 48-hour GenAI sprints conducted across regional hubs demonstrate the growing influence of artificial intelligence on student learning pathways and career choices, reinforcing efforts to democratize access to AI education and innovation opportunities.
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AI Talent Showcases Real-World Problem-Solving Innovations
Projects presented during the Pune regional round showcased strong application-oriented thinking, with solutions addressing unemployment, education, and healthcare challenges.
Student teams demonstrated AI-powered attendance and library management systems, automated online quiz and examination platforms, personalized travel planners, doctor appointment booking applications, real-time weather forecasting tools, expense trackers, comprehensive e-learning platforms, secure online voting systems, chat applications, job portals, food ordering platforms, task management tools, and blood donation management systems designed to connect donors with hospitals and patients during emergencies.
Following the completion of the regional rounds, the OpenAI Academy × NxtWave Buildathon now advances to its Grand Finale phase.
State-level qualifying teams will compete in January, where selected participants will pitch their innovations to the OpenAI Academy and present their work on a global platform, further strengthening India’s visibility in the global AI Talent ecosystem.
