Hackathon: Future Crisis Management
4–5 June 2026
Over two intensive days, developers, data scientists, GIS specialists and domain experts come together to build prototypes that can make a real difference in future crises in Sweden.
Work in teams with satellite data from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, combined with AI and national data sources, to develop solutions ranging from flood mapping to monitoring of critical infrastructure.
An expert jury with representatives from government agencies, research and industry will evaluate the teams’ solutions.
The winning team will be rewarded with a visit to SSC Space in Solna, a leading global provider of advanced space services in space-to-Earth connectivity, mission operations, system engineering, and science and launch services. During the visit, the winners will meet professionals working on everything from satellite communication to rocket launches, take part in a guided tour, visit the company’s space laboratory. The team will also hear from some of Sweden’s leading space experts as they share their experiences. The day concludes with a joint lunch and goodie bags.
Practical information
Date: 4–5 June 2026
Venue: AI Sweden, Folkungagatan 44, Stockholm
Bring: Your own laptop
Food: We provide meals (lunch, dinner) and snacks throughout the event. Please indicate any allergies or dietary preferences when registering.
Questions? Contact: Erik Källman – erik.kallman@ri.se
Schedule
Day 1 – Thursday, 4 June
08:15 Registration and coffee
09:00 Introduction to the theme and technical walk-through
09:45 Team formation and kick-off
10:00 – 12:00 Work in teams
12.00 Lunch
12.00-23:00 Continued Team Work (refreshments, etc, served)
Day 2 – Friday, 5 June
08:30 Coffee
09:00 -12:00 Continued work in teams
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Presentations before the expert jury
16:00 Jury deliberation
17:00 Award ceremony and closing
Challenges
During the hackathon, you and your team will work on real societal challenges where satellite data and AI can make a difference. Here are the problem areas you can choose to explore as examples:
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Rapid forest change detection
Sweden’s forests cover roughly 70 percent of the country’s land area and are vital to the economy, biodiversity, carbon storage, […]
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Agricultural monitoring for food preparedness
Sweden’s food security depends on a stable and productive agricultural sector, but climate change is making growing conditions less predictable. […]
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Dynamic Flood Mapping
Flooding in Sweden — driven by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, and coastal surges — poses increasing risks to critical infrastructure, […]
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Monitoring of critical infrastructure
Sweden’s critical infrastructure — roads, railways, bridges, power lines, and communication networks — forms the backbone of both everyday society […]
Who is the hackathon for?
The hackathon is open to anyone who wants to contribute technical expertise and/or domain knowledge. You should have experience in data analysis, GIS, AI/ML or similar, but you do not need to have worked with satellite data before. You may be:
- A developer or data scientist with an interest in geodata, image analysis or AI/ML
- A GIS specialist or remote sensing analyst
- A researcher or student in relevant fields
- A domain expert in crisis management, civil defence, infrastructure or environmental monitoring
You can register as an individual participant or as a team. Team formation takes place at the hackathon for those who do not already have a team.
Why participate?
- The solutions developed can form the basis for continued development and collaboration – and actually be used in future crises in Sweden.
- You get access to Sentinel-1 (radar) and Sentinel-2 (optical) satellite data. GPU resources and data archives are available on-site.
- Receive guidance and feedback from specialists in civil defence, Earth observation, AI and infrastructure.
- Meet specialists in Earth observation, data analysis, AI and crisis management – a field that is growing rapidly in Sweden right now.
About the hackathon
The hackathon is organised within the framework of the Space Data Lab (Rymddatalabbet), a project aimed at strengthening Sweden’s ability to use satellite data, AI and advanced analysis for the benefit of society. Through the Space Data Lab, we work to make space data more accessible, usable and operational – so that it can be used in crisis management, climate and environmental monitoring, infrastructure and total defence.