Dentsu AIgnite – Data, Insights & Technology Track

At Dentsu, we exist to create new solutions and new beginnings. Through connecting the creativity and ingenuity of diverse talent, both within and beyond our organisation, we offer an invitation to the never before.

Our vision is to be at the forefront of people-centred transformations that shape society. For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of dentsu’s offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. 

How We are using AI to Shape the Future and Why You Should Be Part of It

At dentsu, we see artificial intelligence (AI) as more than just a trend - it’s a way to help our clients, brands, and people grow in exciting new ways. While other companies may use AI mainly to make things faster or cheaper, we use it to find bold opportunities and push boundaries. For us, “AI for Growth” means helping everyone move forward, not just doing the same things a little better.

We believe growth is about thinking big and working together with clients to create new and meaningful solutions. At Dentsu, AI is becoming part of everything we do—how we think, create, and deliver value for our clients. It’s not just a tool, it’s a key part of our culture.

Our Promise: More Than Just Efficiency

We promise to help brands go further, not just improve what they already do. Our teams work side by side with clients, using AI to spark new ideas, create content, and make smarter decisions. We want our clients to feel empowered and involved in every step, so they can grow with us.

Why Dentsu should be your Preferred choice to build your career

• Collaboration & Creativity: You’ll work with the latest AI technology and some of the world’s top brands to solve real-world problems.
• Learning & Growth: We invest in training and hands-on experience, helping you build skills that will shape your career.
• Diverse Partnerships: Our platform, dentsu.Connect brings together top companies like Adobe, Meta, Microsoft, AWS, and Google, giving you exposure to a world-class ecosystem.
• Agility: We move quickly - testing and learning at a local level, then scaling what works globally. You’ll have the chance to make a real impact right from the start.
• Supportive Team: You’ll join a team that values empathy, intelligence, and purpose, and that’s known for turning innovative ideas into practical solutions.

Our Mindset: AI-Native:

We’re on the journey to become the first global advertising network where AI is built into everything we do. As part of our team, you’ll get access to AI tools, training, and a culture that’s all about learning and growing together. We’re honest about what AI can and can’t do, and we put people at the centre of our work.

Join us at dentsu to help shape the next chapter in our 124-year story - where AI isn’t just about technology, but about creating new opportunities for brands, for you, and for society. This is AI for Growth, and you don’t want to miss being part of it!

Eligibility:

• AIgnite is open to students from the listed colleges across all streams, and we also welcome final year participants from anywhere in India, provided they are pursuing a full-time degree.
• Alumni who graduated in 2024 and 2025 are eligible as well.

Rules 

• Team formation can be of 1-2 people
• One student cannot be part of more than one team
• Only full-time final year post-graduate students can participate
• There is no restriction on the number of teams from an institute
• Ideas that are found to be plagiarised will be disqualified

How to get your idea/entry to stand out:

To succeed in this hiring challenge, your idea must move beyond theory to address the specific, complex, real-world problems facing the advertising and media industry today. To impress the Dentsu India team, make sure your proposal checks all these boxes:

• Real-World Relevance & Strategic Depth: Your idea must be relevant to a genuine, immediate challenge faced by Dentsu's clients or the wider industry. Demonstrate your ability to think like a future leader. Your solution shouldn't be a one-off trick; it needs to show Strategic Depth by connecting different dots together.
• Practicality - Scalability & Feasibility: Your concept must be Feasible. Avoid proposing sci-fi solutions; show us the nuts and bolts of how it can be implemented using available resources and technology. Prove your idea has the potential for growth. Scalability means the solution can be easily rolled out to multiple clients, different industries, or larger markets without needing to be completely rebuilt.
• Innovation & Measurable Outcomes: We want to see you Embrace Industry Mega-Trends, particularly by integrating AI tools and Machine Learning. Show how you'd use new technology to gain a competitive edge in personalisation, prediction, or automation. Every great proposal needs a payoff. Clearly define the Measurable Impact / Return on Investment. Use specific numbers: How much money will it save? How much engagement will it drive? Sound outcomes are key to proving business value.
• Command the Room- The Ultimate Presentation: Your presentation is your professional debut. Ensure your presentation makes us sit up to listen to your proposal and is incredibly compelling. Clarity and a strong visual narrative are the secret sauce here.

Competition Structure:

AIgnite  - Your career Path to dentsu India

Ready to go from student to Game Changer? This is your opportunity to solve real-world problems for Dentsu India's biggest clients.

Round 1:

It's all about cracking the code with a swift and focused online assessment

• Each team will tackle 40 questions in 40 minutes.
• Points will be awarded based on both accuracy and speed, so answering quickly and correctly is key.

Round 2:

The stage is set, and Dentsu India is looking for the next generation of Game Changers! This is your opportunity to dive deep into real-world client challenges, where your creativity and strategic thinking can truly redefine possibilities. It all starts with the Open Challenge Submissions, where we scout for bold, practical, and impactful ideas that combine innovation with real-world applicability. Submit your solutions and prove you have what it takes to be one of the "First Wave of Ideators" moving forward.

• Shortlisted teams from the online assessment round will be provided with problem statements to choose from. Teams need to choose one problem statement to submit their solutions.
• Teams have to submit a 2-3 slider PPT presenting their idea in the respective problem statement
• The preferred submission method is PPT.

Round 3:

For those who pass round 2, the challenge shifts from Idea to Impact in the Detailed Proof of Concepts (POCs) round. This is where you showcase how your concept works, demonstrating feasibility, scalability, and measurable results. Our internal team will be "Shifting Through a Microscope," focusing on innovators who can execute, because the ability to scale is what truly sets the finalists apart. Successful candidates will be our "Second Wave of Innovators". 

• Each team need to submit a detailed Proof of Concept that demonstrates scalability, innovation, and measurable outcomes through a 4-5 slide PowerPoint presentation and/or prototype outlining their solution. 
• The preferred submission method is PPT.

Round 4:

Round 1 interviews begin! This is your chance to share your vision, technical expertise, and passion for solving real-world problems. What is your data persona to stand out?

Round 5:

The journey culminates in the Final Selection process. This is the final stage to prove your ability to solve complex problems and deliver results under pressure. 

Get ready - your journey to making a real impact is almost complete! 

Prizes:

• All Finalists stand a chance to win internship offers and goodies from Dentsu.
• The top 5 participants will be awarded a 6-month paid internship (Stipend - 50,000 per month) and the opportunity to secure a pre-placement offer (CTC - 9LPA - 12 LPA).
• All participants receive certificates for participation