The General Services Administration (GSA) – along with other Federal agencies and corporate partners – is hosting a Federal AI Hackathon in Washington, Atlanta, and New York City on July 31, focused on reimagining government websites to optimize AI and user experience.
The event aims to advance GSA’s current AI efforts, in support of President Biden’s October 2023 AI executive order. A pool of $10,000 in prize money is up for grabs by competition winners.
“This Hackathon is focused on helping us optimize our services for the American people as they use these AI tools more, in the same way earlier technologies helped us evolve,” Zach Whitman, GSA’s chief AI and data officer, said in a statement. “GSA is always looking to use new tools to deliver more effectively for the American people – and we’re now looking to do the same using AI.”
Participants will look to optimize government websites to ensure large language models (LLMs) generate reliable answers while still meeting user needs.
GSA and event co-sponsors – including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Slack – will provide participants with widely used AI and cloud tools to leverage LLMs, write code, propose development standards, and create features that increase the reliability of AI services that interface with government information systems.
Those interested in signing up for the hackathon must be 18 years or older. While no minimum skills or education are required, GSA said participants should be interested in using AI, have basic knowledge of web development and AI concepts, and have a passion for improving public service through technology.
GSA is seeking a diverse group of participants, especially women and underrepresented groups. Participants can register with a team of no more than five people, or as an individual. Individuals can also request to be assigned to a team.
Learn more and join the competition at Federal AI Hackathon.
