Claude Builders AI Hackathon

Inspired by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's essayMachines of Loving Grace, this hackathon asks one question: how can AI help people flourish?We're not looking for solutions to hypothetical problems. We want tools built for specific people facing real challenges. We want to see your thinking as much as your code.There are4 tracksto compete in:1. Biology & Physical Health.Healthcare is expensive, inaccessible, and confusing. Build something that helps people access care, understand their health, or navigate complex medical systems.Examples:Diagnostic aids for underserved clinicsPatient education platformsMedication adherence toolsSymptom assessment and triageHealth literacy for treatment decisionsAccessibility tools for people with disabilities navigating healthcareTrack-specific ethical considerations:Medical accuracy - when should this hand off to a real professional?Privacy of deeply sensitive health dataBias in medical AI across different populationsTransparency about limitations and when professional care is needed2. Neuroscience & Mental Health.There aren't enough therapists. Stigma keeps people from seeking help. Geography and insurance gate good care. Build tools that expand access to mental health support and understanding.Examples:Always-available therapeutic support using evidence-based approachesMental health literacy and psychoeducationTools for recognizing when you need professional helpStress and burnout preventionPeer support facilitationAccessibility tools for neurodivergent individualsTrack-specific ethical considerations:Crisis situations - when does someone need immediate human intervention?Privacy and stigma around mental health dataAvoiding harm through bad psychological adviceCultural competence in mental health approachesTransparency about what AI therapy can and can't doNot replacing human connection when it's needed3. Economic Empowerment & Education.Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't. Remove barriers to learning, skill-building, and economic advancement for people currently locked out.Examples:Adaptive tutoringCareer transition guidanceFinancial literacy for underserved communitiesJob interview prepSmall business/nonprofit supportScholarship matchingPractical language learningTrack-specific ethical considerations:Who gets excluded by your design (tech requirements, literacy levels, language)?Impact of bad advice when guiding careers or educationEmpowering informed choices vs. making choices for peopleCultural assumptions about what "success" means4. Creative Flourishing.As AI handles routine work, questions of human purpose grow urgent. Amplify creativity. Preserve culture. Help people find meaning.Every team must answer three questions:Who are you building this for, and why do they need it?What could go wrong, and what would you do about it?How does this help people rather than make decisions for them?Examples:Community storytelling platformsMusic/art education with real-time feedbackWriting development toolsLanguage preservationSkill development for crafts/instrumentsIntergenerational knowledge exchangePurpose exploration guidesTrack-specific ethical considerations:Keeping humans as creators using tools (not AI as creator with human prompter)Enhancing vs. short-cutting the creative process in ways that diminish itCultural appropriation vs. respectful celebrationHomogenization of creative voicesCreating vs. destroying value for creative workersSchedule10:00 AMCheck-in at TR0100, Trottier Engineering Building, McGillRegistration, prices revealed, team formation (if needed), venue orientation10:30 AMOpening CeremonyWelcome from CBC McGill leadership, sponsors and partners introduction, judging criteria, rules and guidelines11:00 AM🚀 Hacking Begins (or Continues)!12:30 PMLunch ProvidedPizza, salads, beverages3:00 PMAfternoon Snack Break (coffee + chips)4:00 PM⏰ Project Submission DeadlineAll submissions must be in by this time4:15 PMJudging & Demo PresentationsTeams present to judges (5 min presentation + 2 min Q&A per team)5:45 PM🏆 Awards CeremonyWinner announcements and prize distribution6:00 PMEvent Concludes