The Inaugural Un-Hackathon 2024

Vanderbilt University Data Science, the Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative, and the Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing successfully hosted their inaugural Un-Hackathon, bringing together students to explore the ethical implications of generative AI, guided by leaders from Atlanta’s corporate innovators.

Event Date: November 1-2, 2024
Location: Microsoft Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA Duration: 24 Hours of Innovation

 

Hackathon Student Coding

Overview

Founded through a collaborative partnership between Vanderbilt University Data Science Institute, the Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing and the Atlanta University Center Consortium, the Un-Hackathon represented a pioneering approach to engaging students in ethical AI development. This innovative event, hosted at Microsoft's Atlantic Station facility, brought together students from multiple universities across Atlanta and Nashville. Unlike traditional hackathons that often cater exclusively to computer science majors, this event was specifically designed to welcome students from all academic disciplines, emphasizing the importance of diverse thinking in addressing AI challenges.

The event's focus on ethical AI practices and real-world applications culminated in teams developing solutions to combat misinformation and fraud, demonstrating how interdisciplinary approaches can lead to more comprehensive and socially responsible technology solutions.

View the official Event Recap. 

Sponsors


Microsoft served as the Platinum sponsor for this event, hosting the Un-Hackathon at their Atlanta hub while providing valuable mentorship throughout the weekend. Microsoft's leadership team, including Rohit Panedka (Partner & General Manager) and Britt Hunter (Business Manager), delivered impactful keynote presentations and led professional development sessions.

Event Impact & Participation

Vanderbilt University Data Science and VU's Atlanta Hub built a collaborative partnership with the AUC Data Science Initiative, the Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing and six of Atlanta's top companies to host the hackathon, with a goal of also having Nashville's HBCUs join this event.

  • At a Glance
    • 7 Universities Represented
    • 70 Accepted Students from 200+ Applications
    • 25 Academic Majors
    • 9 Competing Teams
  • Class Distribution
    • 25% Freshmen
    • 28% Sophomores
    • 27% Juniors
    • 13% Seniors
    • 7% Graduate Students
  • Academic Background
    • 45% Traditional Tech (CS, Engineering, Data Science)
    • 20% Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
    • 20% Social Sciences & Business
    • 15% Humanities & Other Fields
  • Technical Expertise
    • 35% Advanced (API/LLM experience)
    • 40% Intermediate
    • 25% Beginners

Event Program & Activities

The Un-Hackathon kicked off on Friday evening with inspiring presentations from Dr. Charreau Bell of Vanderbilt University and Dr. Talitha Washington from the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Students tackled the challenge of combating misinformation and fraud in the age of AI through 24 hours of intensive innovation and collaboration.

Key Program Elements:

  • Industry Expert Sessions on Ethical AI Applications
  • Professional Development Workshops:
    • LinkedIn Optimization Workshop by Britt Hunter (Microsoft)
    • Post-graduation Success Strategies by Rohit Panedka (Microsoft)
    • Exclusive Cox Enterprises Recruitment Session with Jamelia Smith

Expert Support

Judges Panel Representatives from:

  • Makai Advisory
  • iAccess Innovations
  • Amazon

Coaches (13):

  • Academic Institutions:
    • Morehouse
    • Clark Atlanta
    • Spelman
    • Vanderbilt
  • Corporate Partners:
    • Microsoft (2 coaches)
    •  Yahoo
    • Home Depot
    •  Salesforce
    •  Ticketmaster
    •  MiniCityATL
    • The Misc Co

Hackathon Challenge & Rewards

The Challenge

Teams were tasked with an intensive 24-hour challenge focused on developing solutions to combat misinformation and fraud in the age of AI. This real-world challenge demonstrated how interdisciplinary approaches can lead to more comprehensive and socially responsible technology solutions.

Competition Overview

  • 9 Teams competed for the grand prizes
  • Teams presented their final solutions to a distinguished panel of industry judges
  • Projects were evaluated on innovation, technical implementation, and ethical considerations

Prize Package Included:

  • Monetary awards for top-performing teams
  • Exclusive university merchandise from participating institutions
  • Corporate sponsor gifts

Program Leaders

Dr. Charreau Bell

Dr. Charreau Bell served as a key leader for the Un-Hackathon, bringing her expertise as faculty director of Vanderbilt's undergraduate data science minor and senior data scientist at the Vanderbilt Data Science Institute. Her focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative data science approaches helped shape the event's inclusive and diverse learning environment.

Dr. Charreau Bell

Event Impact

The inaugural Un-Hackathon demonstrated that diverse perspectives are essential for developing responsible AI solutions. By bringing together students from seven universities across Atlanta and Nashville, we established a new model for inclusive tech education where innovation meets ethical consideration.

Key Achievements:

  • Diverse Representation:
    • 200+ applications received
    • 70 students selected across 25 academic majors
    • 65% pursuing double majors/minors
  • Inclusive Participation:
    • 45% from Traditional Tech backgrounds
    • 55% from Non-Tech disciplines
    • All skill levels welcomed and supported
  • Industry Engagement:
    • 13 industry coaches provided mentorship
    • Multiple corporate recruitment sessions
    • Real-world problem-solving experience

Where diverse minds shape the future of ethical AI.

Acknowledgments & Future Outlook

Thank You to Our Supporters

The success of this inaugural Un-Hackathon was made possible through the collaborative efforts of:

  • Our Corporate Partners:
    • Microsoft - for hosting and providing comprehensive support
    • Cox Enterprises - for their sponsorship and career development opportunities
    • Chick-fil-A - for their hospitality and industry insights
  • Our Academic Partners:
    • Vanderbilt University Data Science Institute
    • AUC Data Science Initiative
    • Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing
  • Special Thanks to:
    • Our 13 dedicated industry coaches
    • Our distinguished panel of judges
    • All participating faculty and staff members
    • The enthusiastic students who brought their diverse perspectives and innovative ideas

Looking Ahead

The inaugural Un-Hackathon has set a new standard for inclusive tech education, demonstrating the power of diverse perspectives in shaping ethical AI solutions. As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and responsible AI development across our academic communities.

Stay connected with us for updates on future Un-Hackathon events and opportunities to get involved.

Contact Information

For inquiries about future events, please contact: