GCP – Calling all devs: Join the GKE Turns 10 Hackathon and build with agentic AI

For ten years, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) has been at the forefront of innovation, powering everything from microservices to cloud-native AI and edge computing. To honor this special birthday, we’re challenging you to catapult your microservices into the future with cutting-edge agentic AI. Are you ready to celebrate?

Why join?

• Hands-on learning with GKE: This is your shot to build the next evolution of applications by integrating agentic AI capabilities on GKE. We have everything you need to get started: our microservice applications, example agents on GitHub, documentation, quickstarts, tutorials, and a webinar hosted by our experts.

• Showcase your skills: You’ll have the opportunity to elevate a sample microservices application into a unique use case. Feel free to get creative with non-traditional use cases and utilize Agent Development Kit (ADK), Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol for extra powerful functionality!

Think you have what it takes to win? Build an app to showcase your agents and you could potentially win:

• Overall grand prize: $15,000 in USD, $3,000 in Google Cloud Credits for use with a Cloud Billing Account, A chance to win maximum of two (2) KubeCon North America conference passes in Atlanta, Georgia (November 10-13, 2025), a 1 year, no-cost Google Developer Program Premium subscription, guest interview on the Kubernetes Podcast, video feature with the GKE team, virtual coffee with a Google team member, and social promo

• Regional winners: $8,000 in USD, $1,000 in Google Cloud Credits for use with a Cloud Billing Account, video feature with the GKE team on a Google Cloud social media channel, virtual coffee with a Google team member, and social promo

• Honorable mentions: $1000 in USD and $500 in Google Cloud Credits for use with a Cloud Billing Account

Unleash the power of agentic AI on GKE

GKE is built on open-source Kubernetes, but is also tightly integrated with the Google Cloud ecosystem. This makes it easy to get started with a simple application, while having the control you need for more complex application orchestration and management.

When you join the GKE Turns 10 Hackathon, your mission is to take pre-existing microservice applications (either Bank of Anthos or Online Boutique) and then integrate cutting-edge agentic AI capabilities. The goal is not to modify the core application code directly, but instead build new components that interact with its established APIs! Here is some inspiration:

• Optimize important processes: Add a sophisticated AI chatbot to the Online Boutique that can query inventory, provide personalized product recommendations, or even check a user’s financial balance via an integrated Bank of Anthos API.

• Streamline maintenance and mitigation: Develop an agent that intelligently monitors microservice performance on GKE, suggests troubleshooting steps, and even automates remediation.

Crucial note: Your project must be built using GKE and Google AI models such as Gemini, focusing on how the agents interact with your chosen microservice application. As long as GKE is the foundation, feel free to enhance your project by integrating other Google Cloud technologies!

Ready to start building?

Head over to our hackathon website and watch our webinar to learn more, review the rules, and register.