Judging Criteria

The following criteria guideline will outline qualities of your application that the judging panel will be measuring your innovation against.

1. What is the opportunity that your solution enables and for whom?

TIP: Be sure to define the real world problem your solution is focused on while illustrating your target customer and estimated market size, and the scale of opportunity.

2. How is your solution different?

TIP: Be sure to define your innovation. Highlight what makes your solution unique and different from solutions already addressing your target real world problem.

3. What is the technology that powers your solution?

TIP: Begin by defining and outlining the technology used in your solution. Be sure to elaborate on where and how the technology has been used.

4. How is your solution making (or will make) an impact?

TIP: Define your metrics of success and explain how your innovation will solve a real world problem and have a positive impact. Focus on your team, business model and/or the solution itself.

We introduce 3 new categories for the 2026 iAwards:

1. Artificial Intelligence Technology Innovation
2. Industrial Technology Innovation
3. Diversity Award

For the Artificial Intelligence Technology Innovation category, judges will evaluate entries against the following criteria:

1. Technical Innovation

Explain how your innovation creates or advances new AI/ML models, frameworks, or techniques that represent a genuine step forward in the field.

2. Scientific and Engineering Excellence

Clearly explain the rigour, originality, and technical achievement demonstrated in your development process.

3. Scalability and Future Potential

What is the capacity of the technology to underpin future solutions, platforms, or research directions?

4. Ethical and Responsible AI

Provide evidence that responsible design principles have been embedded throughout the innovation process.

For the Industrial Technology Innovation category, judges will evaluate entries against the following criteria:

1. Technological Innovation

Demonstrate originality and technical achievement in developing new hardware, software, or integrated systems that enhance automation or industrial intelligence.

2. Engineering Excellence

Explain quality of design, development methodology, and the robustness of the technology for real-world industrial use.

3. Impact and Scalability

Demonstrate the potential benefit in improving productivity, reducing costs, optimising processes, or advancing sustainability.

4. Alignment with Industry 4.0 Principles

Demonstrate the integration of digital, data, and cyber-physical technologies to support next-generation industrial transformation.

For the Diversity Award, judges will evaluate entries against the following criteria:

1. Leadership & Strategic Commitment

Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion at a strategic level, including leadership accountability, governance structures, and alignment with organisational purpose and values.

2. Innovation in Inclusion

Evidence of original or forward-thinking approaches to embedding diversity and inclusion – moving beyond compliance to create systemic, cultural, or structural change.

3. Measurable Impact & Evidence

Use of data, metrics, case studies, and tangible outcomes to demonstrate progress, effectiveness, and sustained impact across the organisation or community.

4. Sustainability & Scalability

Clear indication that diversity and inclusion practices are embedded, maintained over time, and capable of being scaled or adapted to broader contexts.

You will need to select a specific category in which to submit your solution; please choose the most appropriate one. Please note: The AIIA reserves the right to reallocate entries deemed to have been submitted in the wrong category.

For more information about the iAwards categories, visit The iAwards Competition.