The 2023 Call for Code Global Challenge, an annual initiative that encourages developers to create projects that combat climate change with AI-powered technology, officially kicked off this week.

The competition was announced Monday morning by IBM, along with Call for Code creator David Clark Cause, charitable partner United Nations Human Rights, and the Linux Foundation.

This year, Call for Code challenges developers, students, and startups to build and contribute to solutions that help accelerate sustainability, with a focus on improving resource management, reducing pollution and protecting biodiversity.

"Since its launch in 2018, Call for Code has become a global call to action for developers around the world to come together to think creatively about how they can use their skills to help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems," David Clark, Founder and CEO of Call for Code, said in a news release.

T​he competition is changing its format for 2023. Instead of a single global challenge there will be multiple “Challenge Rounds” throughout the year. Teams in each round will compete for cash prizes from a total prize pool of up to $1.4 million.

Teams can win multiple rounds, with prizes ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. One winner from each of the competition's three entry categories – developers, university students and startups – will be eligible for a grand prize of $50,000. The prize also includes open source support from the Linux Foundation.

The first round runs from March 1 through April 7.

Solutions should address at least one sustainability issue such as improving the ability to measure, analyze, or take decisive action on carbon emissions; addressing issues of water scarcity and quality; improving supply chain transparency and traceability.

T​here is also a new program this year called Call For Code Startups.