GENERATE 2026
To view information about GENERATE 2025, click here.
Central PA’s AI Art Contest is OPEN!
Show up what happens when tech meets imagination. Submit your masterpiece. Blow our minds.
Whether you’re a digital visionary, a curious creator or just love the unexpected – this is your moment. Get ready to explore creativity, connection and The Human Side of Technology!
WHAT IS GENERATE 2026?
The Technology Council of Central PA (TCCP) is excited to bring back its annual AI Art Contest with GENERATE 2026. GENERATE 2026 is a unique competition that invites artists, designers, and AI enthusiasts to push creative boundaries by producing visually striking artwork using artificial intelligence tools. This contest will showcase the intersection of technology and creativity, spotlighting the imaginative ways AI is shaping artistic expression across Central Pennsylvania. Submitted works will be evaluated through a blend of public voting and assessment by a panel of TCCP judges.
WHY IS TCCP HOSTING THIS CONTEST?
As an organization committed to advancing technology and innovation in Central PA, TCCP recognizes the growing impact of artificial intelligence across industries, including the creative sector. By hosting this contest, we aim to:
• Celebrate the creative possibilities of AI-powered tools.
• Encourage engagement with emerging technologies in an accessible and artistic way.
• Foster collaboration and innovation within the local and broader tech and art communities.
• Provide a platform for artists to gain recognition for their work.
• Support digital literacy and responsible exploration of AI tools.
2026 CONTEST THEME: THE HUMAN SIDE OF TECHNOLOGY
For GENERATE 2026, artists are invited to explore The Human Side of Technology. This theme encourages submissions that highlight the relationship between people and technology—how innovation supports creativity, connection, learning, and growth.
Artwork may interpret this theme in a variety of ways, including (but not limited to): the role of technology in everyday life, collaboration between humans and machines, the emotions and experiences shaped by digital tools, or the ways technology enhances human potential rather than replaces it.
Submissions should reflect a people-centered perspective, emphasizing imagination, expression, and the evolving partnership between human creativity and artificial intelligence.
TIMELINE & KEY DATES
Monday, 8/24/2026: Contest OPENS for art submissions
Friday, 10/30/2026 at 11:59pm: Contest CLOSES for art submissions
Monday, 11/2/2026 – Friday, 11/13/2026: Public Voting Period
Monday, 11/9/2026 – 11/20/2026: Judge Panel Evaluation & Scoring Period
Tuesday, 12/8/2026: Final Results Announcement LIVE at 2026 TCCP Holiday Party at the Hershey Country Club
CONTEST GUIDELINES
Eligibility: The contest is open to artists, designers, and AI enthusiasts of all skill levels who reside within TCCP’s 22-county geographic service area. Individuals will be required to identify which county they live in when submitting their artwork.
Entry Fees: There are no fees associated with this contest.
Submission Requirements:
• All artwork must be created using AI tools (e.g., generative AI software, machine learning algorithms, AI-assisted design platforms).
• Theme Requirement: All artwork must be focused on the theme: “The Human Side of Technology.” Any artwork that does not relate to this theme will not be considered for judging.
• Images only may be entered – no video submissions will be accepted.
• Artists are required to complete a brief Artist Submission Questionnaire for all art submissions. The Artist Submission Questionnaire will require artists to disclose the platform, model, or algorithm that has been utilized to generate the artwork and provide brief description (250 words max) explaining the creative process. (See GENERATE 2026 Artist Submission Questionnaire for additional information)
• Each entry must be an original work by the participant.
• There is no limit to the number of images that a participant can submit.
• High-resolution digital files (JPEG, PNG) must be submitted.
• Any artistic style, technique or method is permissible as long as AI generative methods have been utilized in the creation process. Purely generative art guided by prompts, traditional art inspired by AI generative products or digital art combined with generative art are all permissible submissions.
• Images generated using the “style of” other artists, even with explicit authorization and copyrights, will not be accepted.
VOTING & JUDGING
The final winners will be determined through a combination of public voting and judges’ scores.
Public Voting
• The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite entries through an online platform.
• Participants and public votes can give a thumbs-up to their favorite artworks. This feedback reflects the popularity and appeal of the artworks to a broader audience.
• TCCP will conduct a broad promotional campaign via social media and direct email to raise awareness about the competition and encourage the public’s participation in the voting process.
TCCP Panel Evaluation and Scoring
• To ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all entries in GENERATE 2026, the following criteria will be used by the judging panel. Each criterion will be scored on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. The total score for each entry will be the sum of the scores from each criterion.
• A panel of TCCP judges will privately and internally evaluate submissions based on 6 categories: creativity, originality, craftsmanship, visual impact, engagement and use of AI. (See GENERATE 2026 Scoring Rubric for additional information)
• Each judge will independently evaluate and score each entry based on the criteria above. The scores from all judges will be averaged to determine the final score for each entry.
• Tie-breaking: In the event of a tie, the entry with the highest score in the Creativity and Originality category will be selected as the winner. If a tie persists, the judges will deliberate and make a final decision.
• By using this detailed evaluation criteria, the judging panel can ensure a comprehensive and fair assessment of all entries, highlighting the artistic talents and creativity of each participant.
Awards & Recognition
• At TCCP, a non-profit entity, we recognize and celebrate winners through TCCP’s platforms, including social media, newsletters, and events.
• Selected works may be featured in a TCCP showcase or exhibition.
LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The creation of AI-generated artwork raises important legal and ethical concerns, particularly regarding intellectual property rights and the use of publicly available data. Since global regulations on AI-generated content are still developing, TCCP will not accept submissions that mimic the distinctive style of other artists, even if permission or rights have been granted.
TCCP acknowledges that the legal and ethical framework surrounding AI art is constantly evolving and may be subject to future changes. Participants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions adhere to current laws, ethical guidelines, and industry standards. They must also disclose the AI tools, models, or platforms used in their creative process.
TCCP reserves the right to disqualify any submissions that violate ethical or legal standards and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from non-compliant entries.
Artists are encouraged to stay informed about legal and ethical discussions in the AI art space and to use AI responsibly in their creative work. TCCP remains committed to fostering ethical AI practices in the arts and will continue updating contest policies in alignment with emerging legal and ethical standards.
HOW TO ENTER
Interested participants can submit their artwork at https://form.jotform.com/260224440862148 before the deadline of Friday, 10/30/2026 at 11:59pm. More details on submission instructions and voting timelines will be provided on TCCP’s official website.
Join us in exploring the future of creativity and technology—explore AI, express your vision, and celebrate The Human Side of Technology!
GENERATE 2026 is proudly powered by
To learn more about sponsoring GENERATE 2026, please contact Tina Barstow at tina@tccp.org or 717-340-5621.