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Build an AI-powered solution that tackles a real environmental sustainability problem, such as energy optimization, emissions reduction, waste management, or climate resilience. This track focuses on using AI to create practical, scalable solutions that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Get Started- Identify a specific environmental problem
- Use AI/ML meaningfully to address it
- Leverage real or realistic data sources
- Focus on scalability and real-world deployment
- Define how impact will be measured
Create a functional prototype that demonstrates how your AI solution solves a real sustainability challenge.
What to Submit- Project demo (live or video)
- Brief explanation of the problem and solution
- Technical overview and data sources used
Design a system that enhances self-reported health data by combining it with external data sources to generate AI-driven risk profiles for individuals or communities. The goal is to help detect and prevent potential outbreaks early through intelligent insights.
Get Started- Understand how self-reported data can be enriched
- Combine multiple data sources (travel, weather, public health, etc.)
- Use AI/ML to generate meaningful risk insights
- Focus on usability and engagement for real-world adoption
A prototype that generates individual or community risk assessments using AI and multiple data inputs.
What to Submit- Demo of your prototype
- Overview of your data sources and approach
- Explanation of how your system would be used in Arizona
Identify a real challenge in the undergraduate experience and build a creative, tech-enabled solution using a “vibe coding” approach. Focus on solving everyday frustrations in student life through rapid experimentation, intuition, and user-centered design.
Get Started- Identify a real campus problem
- Understand the underlying “vibe” or frustration
- Build a solution guided by experimentation and user empathy
- Iterate and improve your idea throughout the hackathon
A working prototype (app, platform, or system) that improves the student experience.
What to Submit- Problem explanation
- Demo of your prototype
- Key learnings and future improvements
Work with local nonprofits and community partners to develop solutions addressing real challenges in Southern Arizona, including workforce development, healthcare access, education, and poverty. This track emphasizes real-world impact and community-centered innovation.
Get Started- Choose a challenge area (workforce, healthcare, etc.)
- Understand real barriers faced by communities
- Design practical, low-cost, and scalable solutions
- Focus on impact, accessibility, and equity
A prototype, service model, or system that addresses a real community problem.
What to Submit- Solution prototype or concept
- Implementation plan
- Explanation of real-world impact
Develop solutions to improve access to care, workforce participation, or economic mobility for underserved communities. Focus on building inclusive, scalable, and impactful solutions that address real societal challenges.
Get Started- Identify a real-world community challenge
- Design solutions that are accessible and practical
- Consider constraints like cost, infrastructure, and trust
- Focus on long-term sustainability and usability
Requirements
Build a working prototype, app, platform, model, dashboard, service design, or technical solution that addresses the track you selected. Your project should clearly explain the problem, show how your solution works, and demonstrate potential real-world impact.
What to Submit• Project name and description
• Team member names
• Selected track
• Working demo or demo video
• GitHub repository or project link
• Technologies used
• Brief explanation of your problem, solution, and future improvements
Important: Each team may submit to only ONE sponsored track. All projects must be built during the hackathon.
Prizes
[MLH] Best Use of Gemma 4
Google Swag Kits
Leverage Gemma 4 through the Google Gemini APIs with your choice of Google's latest open weight models. Choose from four different models, including "Effective" and "Mixture-of-Experts (MoE)" models.
Gemma 4 is released under the Apache 2.0 license, which is a big deal for developers. It means you can use it for commercial projects, modify the code, and distribute it without having to pay royalties to Google or share your own proprietary data.
Gemma 4 is the ultimate open-source toolkit for building advanced AI features that run fast and privately!
[MLH] Best Use of ElevenLabs
Wireless Earbuds
Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.
Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds!
[MLH] Best Use of Solana
Ledger Nano S Plus
The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.
Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.
Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.
Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).
Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!
[MLH] Best Use of Auth0 AI Agents
Wireless Headphones
As AI agents become more autonomous, security is more critical than ever. We’re looking for the most innovative implementation of Auth0 for AI Agents. Show us how you use Auth0’s robust APIs to manage identities, secure agent-to-user interactions, and protect your application’s integrity.
Why Auth0?
Zero Friction: 7,000 free monthly active users.
Zero Risk: No credit card needed to sign up.
Total Security: Industry-leading MFA and social integrations.
[MLH] Best Use of Backboard
Tile Essentials Pack
Every AI model API is stateless by default. That means your app forgets everything the second a session ends. State management should be the first step of any AI build, regardless of what LLM you are using, and Backboard gives you that for free. But Backboard is not just state management. It is a single, unified API built on the world's #1 AI memory that gives you everything you need in one place: long-term memory, RAG, embeddings, tool calls, model routing across 17,000+ LLMs, and persistent context that stays alive across every page refresh, session, and user. No stitching together five different services. One API. One integration. Built on the best memory in AI.
Here’s just a small list of things Backboard can make possible for your AI app!
AI-powered Travel Guide: Remembers allergies and preferences from past trips.
Personalized Fitness Coach: Adjusts workouts based on progress and injury history.
Smart Home Controller: Learns routines over time to anticipate lighting and climate preferences!
Use Backboard to build a seamless, persistent user experience without the usual infrastructure headache! Each winning team member will receive a Tiles Essentials Pack because, just like AI, we all need an occasional reminder of where things are!
[MLH] Best Domain Name from GoDaddy Registry
Digital Gift Card
GoDaddy Registry is giving you everything you need to be the best hacker no matter where you are. Register your domain name with GoDaddy Registry for a chance to win some amazing prizes!
[Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona] Most Innovative Use of AI for the Public Good
Awarded to the team that most effectively uses artificial intelligence or data-driven tools to address the challenge. Judges will consider:
• Does the solution use AI in a meaningful, non-superficial way?
• Does it improve decision-making, accessibility, or support for participants?
• Is the use of AI appropriate given the context and constraints?
• Are ethical considerations (bias, privacy, transparency) addressed?
[Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona] Best Preservation of Individual Autonomy
Awarded to the team whose solution most effectively supports participants while respecting their independence, dignity, and decision-making power. Sociological research has shown that individuals are less likely to participate in programs that make them feel that they are giving up a piece of their autonomy in exchange for help. Judges will consider:
• Does the solution empower participants rather than control or restrict them?
• Does it avoid paternalistic or overly intrusive interventions?
• Are privacy and consent clearly incorporated into the design?
• Does the solution build trust with participants?
[Banner – University Family Care] Most Innovative Use of AI for the Public Good
Awarded to the team that most effectively uses artificial intelligence or data-driven tools to improve healthcare access or outcomes. Judges will consider:
• Is AI used in a meaningful and appropriate way (not just as a feature)?
• Does it improve access, decision-making, or care coordination?
• Are ethical considerations (privacy, bias, transparency) addressed?
• Is the solution realistic in a rural healthcare context?
[Banner – University Family Care] Best Understanding of Community Healthcare Needs
Awarded to the team that demonstrates the strongest understanding of the lived experiences, barriers, and needs of rural patients. Judges will consider:
• Does the solution reflect a clear understanding of rural healthcare challenges?
• Is the solution patient-centered and accessible?
• Does it account for real-world constraints (transportation, cost, trust, infrastructure)?
• Does it improve continuity of care in a meaningful way?
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Karakay Deniz
GitHub
Mukund
Jahnavi
American Express SW
Marley
Nuclearn.ai
Bailey Hakari
Nuclearn.ai
Sondra
Nuclearn.ai
Smolinski Mark Steven
Executive Director, Ending Pandemics Academy
Divi Nomita
Director, Programs and Operations
Judging Criteria
-
Problem Understanding
How clearly does the team define and understand the problem they are trying to solve? Is the problem meaningful and well-scoped? -
Creativity & Innovation
Is the solution unique, creative, or innovative? Does it offer a fresh perspective or approach? -
Technical Implementation
How well is the solution built? Does the prototype demonstrate functionality and technical depth? -
Impact & Real-World Applicability
Can the solution realistically be deployed or scaled? Does it create meaningful impact? -
Presentation & Demo
How clearly and effectively does the team present their project? Is the demo understandable and engaging?
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