Build something that makes life better for a real community, or helps people take better care of the resources they share. Help a food pantry predict demand. Make public information easier to understand in plain language. Help neighbors track and report flooding. Cut the energy or cost of a task that people already depend on.

Requirements:

• The project must name a specific community or group of people it serves and the problem it addresses.
• The project must handle people’s data responsibly. Collect only what you need, and don’t use personal data without consent.
• Your demo must walk through a realistic scenario from the point of view of someone the project serves.

What a strong entry looks like:

• Shows an understanding of the problem. Why does it exist, what do people do about it today, and why does that fall short?
• Has a realistic path to use. How would someone find out about it, and why would they choose it over what they already do?
• Accounts for incentives. Who benefits, who would need to do extra work, and who would keep it running after the Fest?
• Fits the people it serves. It works on the devices, connections, and budgets they actually have, without training.
• Defines success. The team can say what would change if it worked and how they would measure that.
• Uses AI where it earns its place, and is efficient about cost and energy when people are depending on it.

Prize: One winning team receives Our Planet Powered by AI by Mark Minevich and The Equality Machine by Orly Lobel.