Overview
Imagine a world where technology is a force for good, where artificial intelligence helps break down gender barriers and creates opportunities for all. This is the vision driving the GenAI x Gender Tech Hackathon 2025, a groundbreaking event that brings together bright students from across the globe and across disciplines to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by women and marginalized communities in the global south. The hackathon, organized by Amrita University's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, is a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of AI and social impact.
The hackathon begins with an online phase where participants will develop their projects remotely. Following this, the top teams will be invited to the picturesque Amritapuri campus of Amrita University in Kerala, India, for onsite presentations in front of a judging panel. This onsite phase will coincide with the International Conference on Gender and Technology (GTC) 2025, themed "Beyond Boundaries: Gender, Tech and Transformative Change," making it a pivotal part of the conference.
While we will provide a curated wishlist of real-world problems at the start of the event, we also encourage you to think beyond these boundaries. To spark your creativity, here are some example project areas aligned with the GTC 2025 themes:
- Government Scheme Bot: AI chatbots in local languages on WhatsApp/Telegram to help women access government schemes.
- Career Planner Bot: AI-based planner for girls to explore career paths based on their interests and abilities.
- Public Speaking/Interview Coach: Tools to improve public speaking and interview skills among women and marginalized members of society using multimodal AI.
- Legal Assistance using AI: AI-powered app which simplifies complex laws and enables low literacy users to perform Q&A on legal documents and prior cases.
- Women's Health Support: Multimodal, multi-lingual AI to provide maternal, child, and menstrual health advice and resources.
These are just starting points. At the hackathon, you will receive a curated wishlist of real-world challenges from our partners, but we also strongly encourage original ideas. Whether inspired by the wishlist, these examples, or your own experiences, your creativity has the power to unlock transformative solutions we haven't yet imagined. Think big and bold!
Are you ready to harness the power of AI for social good? Join us in this exciting journey to create a more inclusive, equitable digital future. Your idea could be the one that changes lives!
Why Participate
Real-World Impact
Tackle issues that affect millions of lives using AI and contribute to meaningful social change.
Transdisciplinary Approach
Experience the synergy where social sciences meet cutting-edge technology.
Network of Change-makers
Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about tech and social impact.
Skill Enhancement
Gain skills that transcend disciplines and prepare for the future of tech.
Prizes
1st Prize
₹50,000
2nd Prize
₹30,000
3rd Prize
₹20,000
Timeline
Phase 1: Application
September 18 - November 22, 2024
Apply for the GenAI x Gender Tech Hackathon. Form your teams and prepare for an exciting journey of innovation and problem-solving in the field of AI and gender equality.
Phase 2: Participant Selection
November 24, 2024
The organizing committee will review all applications and select the participants for the hackathon. Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further instructions.
Phase 3: Hackathon
December 1 - December 28, 2024
The hackathon begins! Participants will work on their projects, leveraging AI to address gender challenges. Mentorship and support will be provided throughout this phase.
Phase 4: Finalization and Presentations
January 6 - January 18, 2025
January 6: The top 10 teams will be selected based on their project submissions.
January 18: Onsite presentations and awards ceremony at Amritapuri Campus. The selected teams will showcase their projects, and winners will be announced.
Workshops
Stay tuned for details of workshops led by our esteemed mentors and judges! These workshops will cover a range of topics related to the hackathon's core themes of AI and gender.
View the workshops hereMentors
Welcome to our esteemed mentor network! Our hackathon has attracted a global roster of experts from academia, industry, and NGOs, each bringing unique insights to the intersection of Generative AI and Gender issues. These mentors, with their diverse backgrounds and specializations, are here to guide and inspire you throughout your journey. As you embark on your projects, we will carefully match teams with mentors whose expertise aligns with your specific needs and challenges. Explore the profiles below to discover the wealth of knowledge and experience our mentors bring to the table. Get ready to learn, grow, and create groundbreaking solutions with world-class support!
View the mentors hereOur Partners
FAQs
Is there a registration fee?
No, participation in the hackathon is free of charge.
What skills are required to participate?
We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds. While basic knowledge of AI and machine learning is beneficial, it's not mandatory. Skills in areas like community engagement, user research, gender studies, graphic design, storytelling, and project management are as valuable as technical skills in AI for creating well-rounded solutions. The hackathon is an opportunity to learn and collaborate across disciplines.
Can you help match me with potential team members?
Yes! We have a dedicated channel on our Discord server for team formation where you can introduce yourself, share your skills, and connect with potential teammates.
Why the emphasis on Generative AI for the gender theme?
Generative AI, particularly large language models, offers powerful reasoning abilities that can be applied to assist in the development of software solutions around complex gender issues. It represents a new frontier in technology with the potential to address (and potentially exacerbate) gender inequalities, making it a critical area for innovation and ethical consideration.
Can I use AI techniques other than generative AI?
While our primary focus is on generative AI, we encourage participants to use whatever combination of AI or other technologies they believe will best address their chosen challenge. Innovative use of multiple AI techniques is welcome.
Can we explore interfaces beyond text-based chatbots?
Absolutely! We encourage you to think creatively about how generative AI can be integrated into diverse interfaces. Consider exploring VR/AR, games, IoT devices, smart toys, wearables, voice assistants, or gesture-based interfaces. The goal is to leverage AI in innovative ways to address gender-related challenges.
What kind of support will be available during the hackathon?
We will provide mentorship from experts in AI, software development,social sciences, and product management (among others). We encourage the use of free tiers of proprietary models (see this resource) as well as open source local models (see this guide) for prototyping.
How can I prepare for the hackathon?
We recommend familiarizing yourself with generative AI concepts and tools, researching issues affecting women particularly in the global south, and thinking about potential applications. We will also provide some preparatory materials and resources closer to the event date.
How will communication be handled during the hackathon?
Once the hackathon starts, we will use Discord for all communications. Participants will be encouraged to post questions, find teammates, and collaborate through dedicated channels on our Discord server.
How important is it to have a fully developed idea before applying?
It is great to have initial ideas, but they don't need to be fully developed. We are looking for creativity, passion, and a commitment to addressing gender-related challenges. Your ideas can evolve as you collaborate with others during the hackathon.
What criteria will be used to judge the projects?
Projects will be evaluated on technical merit, methodology, impact potential, innovation, and related parameters. Detailed judging criteria will be provided to participants at the start of the event.