XPRIZE AI Hackathon

Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/xprize-pittsburgh-ai-hackathon-pitch-night-tickets-30452947586 , but feel free to also RSVP here to let others know you're going.

...

The IBM Watson AI XPRIZE (http://ai.xprize.org/) is offering $5 million to teams around the world for technological breakthroughs that benefit humanity through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. We think that Pittsburgh has a lot to contribute and gain from participating, and has a real chance of producing a winning team. XPRIZE has also stated that if a considerable number of teams (~10+) apply from the Pittsburgh region, they would like to invest more of their efforts and resources here in the near future.

There are a lot of incentives for participating: the prize money; publicity; connections to global experts and investors; invitations to upcoming years of IBM World of Watson; etc. However, this comes with a $1500 application fee per team (reduced to $1000 for Pittsburgh teams as a result of XPRIZE's visit here in November). To make this more cost-effective for high-potential teams, we've gathered sponsors to fully or partially cover several teams' application costs. This doubles as an opportunity for companies to engage with developers and/or investors.

This is different from a typical hackathon. The primary goal here is to offer prospective participants and teams a low-risk chance to explore opportunities for taking part in the AI XPRIZE. While the Ascender space will be open for teams to use throughout the weekend, you are not required to stay the whole time. The prize itself concludes on the stage of TED 2020, so given the 3.5 years teams have to build their solution, we do not expect them to produce complete products over this weekend. Instead teams will be evaluated on three criteria:Competiton Plan: Strategy for development within the scope of the Competition Guidelines (http://ai.xprize.org/sites/default/files/ibm_watson_ai_xprize_guidelines_v2_1_2016-11-02.pdf).Execution: Demonstration of the team's proposed solution, and ability to execute on it.AI-Human Impact: Alignment with XPRIZE's criteria of addessing "grand challenges" using AI tools that work with humans.

More information is available in our XPRIZE Pittsburgh FAQ (http://tinyurl.com/xprizepghfaq).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? (Ticket type breakdown)

Participants (Attend for the full weekend, Fri - Sun)
"FOUNDERS" - People from a company/org with existing AI products/solutions that would be eligible for XPRIZE
"EXPLORERS" - People who are NOT from a company/org with existing AI products/solutions, but would like to build a team around an idea (which can be for an existing non-AI company/org)
DEVELOPERS - Software professionals experienced in AI and Machine Learning, interested in working with a team

Supporters (Attend selectively Fri-Sun; contact us (kenny@ascenderpgh.com))
MENTORS - Domain experts and seasoned entrepreneurs interested in providing feedback and advice
SPONSORS - Individuals/organizations interested in sponsoring event costs or teams' application fees

Pitch Night (Attend only on Sunday night)
Limited seating is available for members of the general public who would like to watch the pitches. Investors are especially encouraged to attend, and should contact us (kenny@ascenderpgh.com) if this ticket option runs out.

EVENT SCHEDULE

1/6/17, 5:30pm-10:30pm | Dinner, pitches, team matching, work
1/7/17, 8:30am-10:30pm | Work, mentor sessions, office hours
1/8/17, 8:30am-5:30pm | Work, mentor sessions, pitch practice
1/8/17, 5:30pm-10:30pm | Dinner, keynote, pitches, awards

*For 1/6 and 1/8, doors open at 5:30pm, and the program is expected to run from 6:30-9:00pm.
** The Ascender space is available throughout the weekend, but teams are NOT required to stay/work there.
*** Dinner is provided only on 1/6 and 1/8, and coffee/refreshments are available throughout the weekend.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/191742283/upmc3enterpriseshrgb1.jpg

ORGANIZING PARTNERS

https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/191742283/c26s2bmitef.png

PRIZE SPONSORS

https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/191742283/kuzneski.png

Anyone interested in joining us as a prize sponsor is encouraged to look at our Sponsor Deck (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4ULFJIKOnM_R0R6WU93bkVkYUE) and contact us (kenny@ascenderpgh.com) for more details.