The 1st Malt AI awards :

showcasing Europe’s leading AI freelancers & independents experts.

Show us your best AI project.
The European competition dedicated to freelancers and independents, rewarding AI expertise with measurable impact. Prove that your AI project is the most technical, strategic, and innovative in Europe. Get the world voting for your AI impact! Showcase your project to the global community, earn the seal of approval from our elite jury, and join us for our VIP Awards Ceremony in Paris.

Important: A 100% complete Malt profile is strictly mandatory to enter the competition.

Competition opening date: Thursday, January 29th

Why this isn’t just
another AI contest

The AI market is noisy, but companies are hungry for tangible proof. This is the definitive European benchmark for AI freelancers and independent experts. We don't reward theories, we celebrate completed AI projects with measurable ROI for the client by freelancers. It’s an essential bridge for clients to demystify AI and a unique platform for you to influence how industry leaders invest. By submitting your work, you aren't just entering a contest, you are claiming your status as a foundational AI leader in Europe. Prove the value, not the promise.

Main award categories

Recognizing the diversity of expertise across the entire AI value chain.

The Technical Excellence
Award

WHO’S ELIGIBLE

Machine Learning / Research Scientist, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, Cloud Engineer / Data Ops, ML Ops Specialist.

THE OBJECTIVES

Rewards core expertise in Foundational AI and complex algorithms. Recognizing projects that push the boundaries of technical performance.

The Gen AI Impact
Award

WHO’S ELIGIBLE

AI Engineer / GenAI Engineer (LLM fine-tuning, RAG), AI Developer (LLM integration), Mobile developers with LLM skills.

THE OBJECTIVES

Rewards creativity in using LLMs (RAG, Agents) and the fluidity of the user experience (UX).

The AI Transformation
Award

WHO’S ELIGIBLE

AI Strategist, Change Manager AI, Transformation Manager AI, PMO AI.

THE OBJECTIVES

Rewards organizational impact, change management, and the strategic alignment of a sophisticated AI program.

Submit your project

Meet the jury members

Your applications will be evaluated by a panel of top experts representing different professional landscapes. From technical pioneers and strategic consultants to corporate visionaries, our jury ensures that every project is judged through the lens of technical rigor, business innovation, and real-world impact.

Claire Lebarz

Chief Technology Officer - at Malt

Michelle Johnson

AI Strategy & Adoption | Digital Transformation - and freelancer on Malt. 

Marc Bussienne

 Director of Performance and Transformation | Digital & Operations Excellence - at LVMH

Andrew Grill

Global AI Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author "Digitally Curious"

Nicolas Debock

Early Stage European Tech investor

The selection process: from submission to certification.

The winners are selected based on a rigorous multi-step validation process that ensures integrity and community engagement

Internal pre-selection -> March 1 - March 8

The Malt AI community team will review all submissions. Only the most impactful and technically sound projects will be selected as finalists to proceed to the next phase. Please note that a complete Malt profile is mandatory to be eligible.

Expert jury score -> 80% Weight | March 9 - March 29

Your project will be deeply evaluated against specialized criteria by our panel of C-level and technical AI experts. 

Public vote -> 20% Weight | March 9 - March 29

The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite projects, rewarding visibility and community attraction.

Why claim your spot in the AI hall of fame?

What "Winning" means for freelancers: winning the Freelancers Got AI Talent Awards is your professional spotlight—the moment you turn your AI edge into the ultimate market signature.

For the 3 finalists

Elite Recognition & Media Spotlight

Join the ranks of AI leaders! You will receive a unique, specially designed trophy: a physical symbol of your mastery, as well as the official title of the award. This will demonstrate your authority in the market.

From taking center stage in a high-impact social media campaign, to capturing the attention of the industry’s most influential voices: your expertise will be broadcasted across the entire European tech landscape. We will ensure your expertise gets the massive visibility it deserves.

Connect with AI Leaders and Malt Founders

Pull up a chair at the leaders table! You’ll enjoy an exclusive VIP Lunch with Vincent Huguet (Malt Founder), Claire Lebarz (Malt CTO), and our Jury of AI leaders. This is your moment for high-level mentorship and to spark strategic connections that can redefine your business.

The Paris Awards ceremony, of course!

We want to celebrate your victory in style. We’ll handle the logistics with a travel and accommodation stipend (up to €600) to ensure you can join us at the prestigious Awards Ceremony in May 2026.

For all participants

AI Industry-standard validation

Your project is peer-reviewed by a Jury of AI leaders, putting an expert seal of approval on the quality and impact of your work.

Amplify Your Impact & Win the Public Vote

Participation is just the start. Since the public vote represents 20% of the final score, we provide you with an exclusive Social Media Toolkit. Use it to lead the conversation on LinkedIn, showcase your project, and mobilize your network to secure those crucial votes.

Direct Exposure to High-Value Clients

 Inclusion in Malt’s exclusive database of proven case studies, actively used by Sales teams to pitch you directly to top corporate clients seeking proven solutions.

Still have questions?

Our community team is here to help you shine. If you have any doubts regarding your eligibility, the award categories, or the technical documentation needed, feel free to reach out.

FAQ: Everything you need to know

Is there a fee to participate?

No, the competition is completely free for all freelancers registered on Malt.

Can I submit a project done outside of the Malt platform?

Yes! As long as you have a complete and verified Malt profile, you can submit any AI project delivered to a client between January 2024 and January 2026.

Does my Malt profile need to be complete?

Yes. To guarantee the quality of the competition, only freelancers with a 100% complete profile will be considered for pre-selection: 
-> A title.
-> A profile photo.
-> At least 4 tags.
-> A description of at least 200 characters.
-> A daily rate.
-> Add at least two experiences.
-> Add skills to experiences.
-> Add at least three tags in the skills section (i.e. have at least seven tags).
-> Sign the freelance charter.
-> Add at least one language.* Location and preferences regarding remote working.

How is my data protected?

We take confidentiality seriously. All members of the Expert Jury sign a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Your technical details will only be used for evaluation and, if you win, for promotion with your explicit consent.

What defines a "completed" project?

The project must be delivered and operational for the client. Concepts, prototypes, or purely personal research projects are not eligible.

 Maureen Michaud
Global AI Community Builder
maureen.michaud@malt.com

Ready to be crowned an AI Expert?

Submissions Open: January 29, 2026 / Deadline: February 28, 2026

Submit your project