Register: https://lu.ma/ueezj9ib

​Today’s AI tools have opened up the possibility for anyone—even with minimal technical skills—to create AI applications. This event is all about showing you how!

​Why Attend?

​AI isn’t just for the experts anymore. It’s accessible to everyone. We break down the AI ecosystem into three key groups:

​Practitioners: The creators and testers of AI technology.

​Players: The ones who commercialize and monetize it.

​The Public: Everyone who lives with the consequences—whether they’re good, bad, or just plain strange.

​The public is by far the largest and most diverse group, yet it’s often left out of the AI conversation. While practitioners and players call for public engagement, what does that really look like? That’s where we come in! Our goal is to make AI discussions more inclusive, accessible, and engaging—especially when tackling the ethical dilemmas at the crossroads of technology, society, and morality.

​Best of all, it’s FREE! Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a hackathon wizard, or someone who just loves coffee and bagels, you’ll fit right in!

​Note: All times are approximate. We’ll do our best to stick to the schedule, but let’s be honest—time is more of a guideline than a rule. We’ll go with the flow!

​Event Agenda

​9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Check-in & Networking

Kick off the morning by grabbing some coffee and a bagel while mingling with fellow participants.

​10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

Start the event with a warm welcome and an overview of what’s in store.

Speaker: Dr. Sia Zadeh, Data Scientist & Associate professor, GGU

​10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | What Is AI? Fact, Fiction, and the Path to AGI

Explore the current state of AI, debunk common myths, and discuss the journey toward artificial general intelligence—with an interactive AI Myths Quiz!

Speaker: Sako, Gladly & Large People Model

​10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | The Intersection of Hardware and AI: Why It’s Crucial for Innovation

Dive into how hardware advancements drive AI development and innovation. Bonus: explore the "what if" scenarios if AI ever "goes rogue."

Speakers: Walt Maclay & Miguel Adao, Voler Systems

​11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Ideation & Startup Creation in the Age of AI

Learn how to generate AI-powered startup ideas and overcome the challenges of launching in today’s evolving landscape. We’ll also explore how AI is reshaping creativity and intellectual property—should AI be considered an author?

Speaker: A.J. Cave, LevelUP

​11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Innovation & Impact in AI

Hear from leaders who are using AI to make waves across various industries.

Speaker: Dr. Cory Kidd, Formerly Founder & CEO, Catalia Health

​12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break

Refuel and chat with your fellow new friends—don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of pizza!

​1:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Afternoon Mini Hackathon Session

​We know—this is a packed agenda! We might not hit every single note, but our goal is to demystify AI and give you a solid framework for understanding and navigating the challenges and opportunities AI presents. Plus, you’ll get to dive into hands-on learning through our hackathon experience!

​1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | All About Hackathons

Get the lowdown on how hackathons work and learn insider tips for success.

Led by: Mostly Sako & LPMers

​1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Navigating AI Tools and Platforms

Discover the best AI tools and platforms for your project, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

​2:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Mini Hackathon Challenges Introduction

Pick a challenge and get ready to bring your ideas to life! Choose from:

​Challenge 1: Ethical and practical implications of AI-driven job displacement

​In this challenge, we adapt the ethical trolley dilemma to address the impact of AI on jobs.

​Challenge 2: AI Regulation and Ethics (SB-1047)

​The challenge is inspired by the opportunities and weaknesses identified in the SWOT analysis of SB-1047

​Bonus Challenge: Shall we play a game?

​2:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Team Formation—Meet & Match

Get to know like-minded participants and form teams to tackle your chosen challenge.

​2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Find a Mentor

Connect with experienced mentors who can offer guidance and insights as you build your project.

​2:45 PM – 4:15 PM | Build & Prototype

Time to get hands-on! Work on developing your demo, prototype, and pitch deck.

​4:15 PM – 4:30 PM | Mentor Feedback

Get last-minute feedback from mentors to refine and polish your project.

​4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Finalizing the Pitch

Prepare your final presentation and get your pitch ready for the big reveal.

​5:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Pitching Session

Present your solutions and let your peers vote for their favorites!

​Judging Criteria:

​Innovation (20%) – Is the idea creative and original?

​Impact (20%) – What’s the potential positive change?

​Use of AI (20%) – How effectively is AI integrated?

​Feasibility (20%) – Is the solution technically and economically viable?

​Pitch Quality (20%) – How well is the idea communicated?

​5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Networking & Wrap-Up

Wrap up the day by connecting with new friends, sharing insights, and discussing what’s next in the world of AI.