About the challenge

Your Mission

Using UMass's GenAI platform, design and build a custom AI assistant that addresses a meaningful need for students, faculty, or staff at UMass Amherst.

Think about the everyday friction points on campus like navigating academic resources, research overload, mental health support, accessibility, financial aid and imagine how an intelligent, autonomous system could make campus life more equitable and human-centered.

The best submissions won't just be technically impressive — they'll be meaningful.

Get started

1️⃣ Log in at genai.umass.edu using your UMass SSO

2️⃣ Explore the AI Agents feature (no coding required!)

3️⃣ Identify a real campus problem worth solving

4️⃣ Build, test, and document your agent

5️⃣ Submit your Google Doc before the deadline

Requirements

What to Build

Design an AI agent that uses agentic AI to address a real challenge in higher education or your local community. This could support students, faculty, or staff at a college or university – or extend beyond campus to improve everyday life in your community.

Consider common friction points like navigating institutional resources, academic planning, research overload, community services access, mental health support, accessibility, or civic engagement. How might an intelligent, autonomous agent make these systems more equitable, efficient, and human-centered?

No coding required. Just a strong idea, a clear purpose, and a vision for how your agent could create meaningful impact.

What to Submit

Include the following in a Google Doc (to be submitted as a PDF):

  • Agent title and goal (clear description of purpose)

  • Instructions used

  • Model selected

  • Model parameters (if applicable)

  • Files uploaded (if any)

  • Any additional relevant details

    • Screen recording / screenshots showing the agent in action

    • OR copy/paste a link to a conversation with your agent into the above Google doc.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$330 in prizes
1st Place Winner
$180 in cash
1 winner

2nd Place Winner
$150 in cash
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Lauren Saloio
Center for Data Science

Gianna Leidich
Center for Data Science

Judging Criteria

  • Innovation & Creativity
    How unique and innovative is the agent’s concept?
  • Impact & Usefulness
    How well does the agent address a real campus or community need?
  • UX & Design
    Is the agent intuitive, well-structured, and user-friendly?
  • Technical Details
    How well is the agent implemented? Is it functional?
  • Scalability & Adaptability
    Can this agent be scaled or adapted for broader use?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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