AI for a Better Future Hackathon
Presented by Cal Poly Pomona and Avanade
Avanade is thrilled to partner with Cal Poly Pomona for the second year of our annual AI for a Better Future Hackathon! This year, we're joining forces with all eight colleges within Cal Poly and industry leaders like Databricks to create impactful challenge tracks that empower students to develop groundbreaking AI-driven solutions.
Our hackathon challenges span diverse fields, including Agribusiness, Hospitality Management, Education, Healthcare, Innovation, Media, and Natural Disasters (with a focus on wildfires). We aim to leverage AI to address social issues and community-relevant topics. These challenges offer endless opportunities for creativity and innovation, testing your ideas on collaboration, business viability, ethical design, and customer desirability.
The challenge questions will be revealed on campus on March 21st, and the winners will be announced at the AI Fair on April 17th. The AI Fair will spotlight the talent of student participants and winners, with industry experts joining the jury panels and possibly hosting a fair. This is a fantastic opportunity to co-create using AI to solve today's challenges and shape tomorrow's world.
Whether you develop a solution, app, or idea, winners will receive exciting prizes. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference, co-create, and work with industry leaders. Register now and be part of the future!
“AI For A Better Future - 2025” Hackathon & Fair at Cal Poly Pomona
Code, No Code, Big Ideas—All Are Welcome!
Important Dates:
- Kickoff and Sign-ups: February 21, 2025 (AI Conference). Individual and team registrations begin.
- Last day to register: March 14, 2025, 11:59 PM
- Hackathon Begins: March 21, 2025, Noon. Students learn about the challenges, pick up t-shirts and meet with their teams at the in-person event at the CBA Complex.
- Student Videos Due: March 23, 2025 (midnight)
- Finalists Announced (Virtual): April 7, 2025
- Finalists Present at AI Fair (In-person event): April 17, 2025
Students can register individually or as a team. Those registering individually will be assigned to a team.
Everything You Need to Know About the Hackathon:
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What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon is an event where people with various skills come together to collaboratively work on issues of a global nature. Participants often form teams and compete to develop innovative solutions to specific challenges or problems within a limited timeframe. These events foster creativity, collaboration, and rapid prototyping, often resulting in the creation of new applications, products, or services. Students are expected to submit their results in a 5-minute video.
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Who is Part of the Hackathon?
CPP Students participate in teams of 5-6 students virtually. Finalists will pitch in person the day of the fair. Mentors will be available to guide you during mentoring hours synchronously online. 1st Round Judges will assess the projects completed virtually. 2nd Round Judges will assess the finalists' projects during a live pitch the day of the fair.
Rubric
How original, novel and creative is the proposed solution in addressing the challenge?
How impactful is the proposed solution for industries, communities, or society?
How feasible is the solution real-world implementation? Is it technically sound, scalable and practical?
How effectively does the team communicate and contextualize their proposed solution? Is the presentation clear, compelling, and well-structured?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. Does the team demonstrate diversity in terms backgrounds, skills, and perspectives?
Supporting Clubs and Centers
SWIFT
WIT
MISSA
Mitchell C. Hill Center
FAST
