Hack Michigan

Michigan was built by innovators—and it’s time to innovate again. Our state leads in manufacturing, agriculture, and mobility, but too many Michigan businesses still rely on outdated systems, and too many of our brightest minds leave for opportunities elsewhere. Your challenge: use AI and Open Source technologies to build a proof-of-concept AI solution that modernizes a Michigan industry—whether that’s manufacturing, small business, mobility, agriculture, sustainability, education, or urban planning. Show us how AI can solve a real problem, create real value, and keep innovation rooted right here in Michigan. Deliver a working prototype and a brief presentation that tells the story of how your solution strengthens Michigan’s future.

The Challenge

Michigan stands at a pivotal moment. Once the undisputed engine of American innovation, our state is ready to reclaim its position as a technology leader—not by abandoning our industrial heritage, but by reimagining it for the 21st century.

While Michigan ranks among the top states in manufacturing output, we lag behind in technology adoption and digital transformation metrics. Too often, our brightest minds leave for coastal tech hubs, and Michigan jobs get outsourced to other states or overseas. Our challenge is clear: how do we leverage cutting-edge AI to modernize Michigan’s cornerstone industries while keeping opportunities here for Michiganders and creating the innovation ecosystem that makes our state a destination, not a departure point?

The Stats Tell the Story

Michigan graduates leave the state at higher rates than most, seeking tech opportunities elsewhere
Many legacy industries still operate with outdated systems and manual processes
Small and medium-sized Michigan businesses cite technology adoption as their #1 barrier to growth
Brain drain continues as innovators lack the infrastructure and community to build here
Immense untapped potential in AI-driven innovation across manufacturing, supply chain, agriculture, sustainability, education, and urban development

Agenda

Day 1

2:00 PM: Check-In & Registration

3:00 PM: Hackathon Welcome

4:00 PM: Design for AI Workshop

6:00 PM: Dinner Break & Networking

7:00 PM: Tools and Provisioning Workshop

8:00 PM: Hacking Begins

Day 2

8:00 AM: Morning Mindfulness & Meditative Yoga

8:00 AM: Breakfast Break & Networking

9:00 AM: How to Win a Hackathon

10:00 AM: Build with AI Workshops

1:00 PM: Lunch Break & Networking

2:00 PM: Workshops Office Hours

6:00 PM: Happy Hour & Networking

8:00 PM: Hacking Continues

Day 3

8:00 AM: Morning Mindfulness & Meditative Yoga

8:00 AM: Breakfast Break & Networking

10:00 AM: Code Freeze

11:00 AM: Finish Presentations

12:00 PM: Project Submissions Due

12:00 PM: Lunch Break & Networking

1:00 PM: Practice Demos

2:00 PM: Judging & Awards

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Partners

TechTown Detroit (https://techtowndetroit.org)
TechTown Detroit helps tech startups and local businesses launch and grow. They are an incubator and accelerator. They support businesses with coworking and office space, meeting space and event space. TechTown also connects entrepreneurs to resources, and learning and networking events in Detroit.

Google (https://www.google.com)
Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

We are committed to significantly improving the lives of as many people as possible by protecting users, building belonging, expanding opportunity, responding to crises, and advancing sustainability.

IBM (https://www.ibm.com/us-en)
The mission of IBM is to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. We aim to have a positive impact globally, and in the communities where we operate, through business ethics, environmental commitment and responsible technology.

For over a century, IBM been at the forefront of technological innovation. Beginning in the earliest days of computing, IBM has blended intelligence, innovation and science to improve business, society and the human experience.

Compass Detroit (https://bit.ly/bhm-summit-website)
The Collective of Minority Professionals and STEAM Societies (formerly COMPES) was formed in 2000 as an initiative between the NSBE, SHPE, and SWE Detroit professional chapters. The mission of this collaborative partnership is to support the local Detroit community in upskilling, career growth, networking, and to provide access to new opportunities.

Little Caesars (https://littlecaesars.com)
Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959 as a single, family-owned restaurant. Today Little Caesars is the third largest pizza chain in the world with stores in each of the 50 U.S. states and 27 countries and territories.

DTE Energy (https://www.dteenergy.com)
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes non-utility businesses focused on industrial energy services, renewable natural gas, and energy marketing and trading.

GDG Detroit (https://gdg.community.dev/gdg-detroit/)
The Detroit Google Developers Group is an inclusive group that meets monthly online and in downtown Detroit to help educate and provide networking opportunities for software developers in the Detroit area.

Detroit Hacker House (https://detroithackerhouse.com)
Detroit Hacker House is where builders become founders. We run a residential accelerator and community programming designed to take you from idea to launched product.

Google Women Techmakers (https://developers.google.com/womentechmakers)
Google’s Women Techmakers program provides visibility, community, and resources for women in technology.

NSBE Detroit (https://nsbedetroitprofessionals.org)
Representing Black Engineers in Detroit. NSBE Detroit Professionals strive to increase technical awareness, encourage scholastic achievement, and stimulate enthusiasm in the black engineering community of Detroit. NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. The NSBE Professionals inspire the next generation of technical professionals, and serve as a catalyst for transform

DevOps Detroit (https://www.devopsdetroit.io)
DevOps Detroit is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Detroit’s tech community through collaboration, education, and innovation. Founded with the mission of making Detroit a hub for DevOps excellence, we bring together professionals, students, and enthusiasts to share knowledge, build skills, and grow careers in cloud, DevOps, security, AI, and software development. Our goal is simple: build real impact and real change—one meetup, one conversation, one line of code at a time.

SHPE Detroit (https://www.shpedetroit.org)
SHPE Detroit is transforming lives in Detroit by inspiring and motivating young Hispanic students to excel in STEM education through mentorship and community involvement and enhancing career opportunities for Hispanics by building a strong professional network.

Techqueria Detroit (https://techqueria.org)
We’re a vibrant, 25,000-strong community empowering Latiné professionals to thrive in every corner of the tech industry. Much like a taquería serves up the best tacos, Techqueria is where Latiné tech talent gathers to connect, grow, and succeed. We provide mentorship, career development, and advocacy for DEI, ensuring that Latiné voices are represented and celebrated at every level, from emerging talent to seasoned leaders.

College for Creative Studies (https://www.ccsdetroit.edu)
CCS provides students a rigorous and innovative education aligned with industry requirements. Our graduates are innovators, problem solvers and futurists who are prepared for a career, not just a job. CCS alumni know success. They are entrepreneurs. They are working artists. Fortune 500 companies hire them. The stories you will watch here are a testament to the impact CCS alumni are making in the art/design world. All of them dared to dream big. Let their stories inspire you.

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-detroit-presents-hack-michigan/.