HackIllinois

Challenges

Best Use of Gemini API

It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project? <ul> <li>Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice </li> <li>Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers </li> <li>Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more </li> </ul>Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?

Best Use of Snowflake API

Play with industry-leading LLMs on a single account using the Snowflake APIs. Adding AI capabilities into your application can be as simple as a single CURL command to Snowflake’s REST API. Build customized applications, RAG powered chat bots, or embed AI-powered features into your app in half the time with half the hassle. Get started for free with a special, student <a href="https://mlh.link/snowflake-signup" target="_blank">120-day Snowflake trial</a> and check out this <a href="https://mlh.link/snowflake-tutorial" target="_blank">repository</a> for an example of the Snowflake REST API in action.

Best Use of ElevenLabs

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!

Best Use of DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean offers a reliable and easy-to-use cloud platform for every stage of your project. Leverage core services like Droplets, Managed Databases, and App Platform to build, deploy, and scale your application effortlessly. Building with AI? DigitalOcean Gradient™ AI enables you to build, train, and deploy machine learning models, including access to GPU infrastructure and serverless inference! <a href="https://mlh.link/digitalocean-signup" target="_blank">Sign up for DigitalOcean</a> today and get $200 worth of free credits that you can use towards building your next great hack. Build with DigitalOcean's robust cloud infrastructure for a chance to win some great prizes for you and each of your teammates!

Best Use of Solana

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. <ul> <li>Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions. </li> <li>Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX). </li> <li>Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume. </li> </ul>Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!

Best Use of Presage

Presage is pioneering the Human Sensing Layer, enabling any application to understand a person’s real-time physical and emotional state. With Presage, you can leverage clinically-proven vital signs, movement, emotion, and/or focus tracking to build a project that gives the standard camera super powers. Use any of the <a href="https://mlh.link/presage-sdk" target="_blank">Presage SDKs</a> to integrate capabilities like real-time heart rate, breathing rate, engagement levels, and facial expressions into your hack with just a few lines of code. <ul> <li>Immersive Gaming & Entertainment: Dynamically change game difficulty or story elements based on a player's excitement or focus levels. </li> <li>Contactless Wellness & Fitness: Build a non-invasive app that monitors stress, recovery, or fitness performance. </li> <li>Accessibility & Security: Utilize vital signs for effortless authentication, or to enhance accessibility. </li> <li>Productivity: Design a tool that tracks focus or stress. </li> </ul>Build your next hack with Presage and show us the future of human-computer interaction! Win awesome prizes along for with the following perks from the Presage team: <ul> <li>Free refills for Presage Development credits to accelerate you through your next three months of building </li> <li>30% off all Presage usage charges for your first year after going live </li> </ul>

Best .Tech Domain Name

Make your Team's Achievements timeless: Win a .Tech Domain Name for up to 10 years to Showcase and Expand Your Project, Plus Desktop Mics for Effortless Collaboration on Zoom, empowering you to build even more cool things together!

Best Use of AI powered by Reach Capital

AI has upended what we can accomplish with technology. <a href="https://mlh.link/reach-capital" target="_blank">Reach Capital</a> invests in the next generation of founders and technical talent, and they want you to use AI to support the future of work and uplevel the labor force. While the frontline economy, made up of industries like construction, retail, healthcare, and more, represents 70% of the global workforce, these workers often have the least access to cutting-edge tools. Your challenge is to build an AI-powered solution for these frontline workers that meets them where they are — on the job, on the go, and in the flow of their daily work. The winning team will receive a Logitech webcam for each member, and you’ll also be one of ten winning teams across MLH events considered for a grand prize of discussing your creation with Reach Capital’s team of expert investors. Interested in working at world-changing startups? Reach's 130+ portfolio companies — including Replit, Brilliant, ClassDojo, GPTZero, and Desmos — are always looking for the next wave of talent. Share what you’re studying, building, or exploring, and Reach will connect you to career-defining opportunities. Add your profile and join the hackers already in <a href="https://mlh.link/reach-talent" target="_blank">the Reach talent network</a>.

Track: Best Web API (1st Place)