Prof. Chagriya Kitiyakara, MBBS (Lond), FRCP, Vice President for Research, Mahidol University, said Mahidol x Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab Hackathon 2026”, an international health systems innovation platform held for the first time in Thailand under the theme “Building High-Value Health Systems: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence”. The initiative is a collaboration between Mahidol University, as the Local Hub, and the Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab. The project provides an opportunity for youth, students, innovators, medical professionals, and individuals from diverse fields to jointly develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to strengthen health systems through a two-day Hackathon in Thailand, before advancing to an eight-week global innovation incubation program with Harvard, along with the opportunity to present their work to international venture capital investors, in order to drive ideas toward real-world implementation and create sustainable positive impact on the Thai and regional healthcare systems.

The Health Systems Innovation Lab (HSIL) Global Hackathon is an annual global innovation initiative that brings together innovators from diverse fields around the world to jointly develop technology-driven solutions to strengthen health systems, through innovations that enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the resilience of health systems. The 7th Hackathon is held under the theme ‘Building High-Value Health Systems: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence.

In this regard, Mahidol University initiated the ‘Mahidol x Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab Hackathon 2026’ with the vision to elevate its role from an academic institution to becoming a hub connecting Thai innovators to global research and development networks. Thailand being selected as a Local Hub for the first time reflects the potential and readiness of Thailand’s health innovation ecosystem, as well as the role of Thai innovators on the global stage. This project provides opportunities for youth, students, innovators, medical professionals, and interested individuals to collaboratively develop solutions to health system challenges through a two-day Hackathon, applying AI in healthcare —an area that represents both a challenge and a significant opportunity for the world in this decade. Mahidol University is therefore committed to being a key driving force in advancing such innovation at both the national and regional levels. Winning teams from the Hackathon will be invited to join an eight-week global business innovation incubation program with Harvard delivered online. The program consists of Bootcamp and Venture Building Immersion, leading to the selection of the top 10 teams from around the world to present their work to international venture capital investors and industry leaders for opportunities in funding and future collaboration. Mahidol University would like to sincerely thank Suntory for its support in empowering Thai youth and innovators to step on the global stage. This collaboration is not only supporting the project, but also an important force in creating sustainable positive change for Thailand’s healthcare system and society in the long term.

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