Competition Rules

Finalists will be expected to attend (Virtually or In-person) the conference (AutoML 2026) and give a short presentation of their work, in person or virtually.

A run_clock is passed through to your code so you can track the time remaining, a seperate clock is tracked in main.py, we ask that you add in checks to return early if your method overuns. Do not attempt to bypass the time limit.

Your submissions are expected to adapt to the time allotted. If your submission does not finish in time it will recieve a score of -10 for that dataset. Similarly, it needs to respect the memory (RAM and VRAM) of the environment. Any crashes due to memory issues will also lead to a score of -10.

During Phase 2, you have a submission limit of 7. Be careful when submitting as clicking the submission button rapidly may send multiple submissions. Do not use multiple account to attempt to bypass this limit.

Your last working Phase 2 submission will be used for Phase 3, there is NO seperate Phase 3 submission. Your submissions are expected to adapt to any changes in time alloted or environment between Phase 2 and 3.

Do not attempt to download the datasets used in the final stages of the competition. Attempts to do so will lead to immediate disqualification.

Teams are allowed provided that they work towards a singlular submission.

Multiple teams from the same institution/research group are allowed provided members are disjoint, and approaches are distinct. The exception to this are Supervisors, who are allowed to be be members of multiple teams and offer guidance in a strictly supervisionary role. Offerring guidance, but no direct help nor direction.

Organiser decisions are final.