The Ethics4NextGen AI Hackathon 2020 was my first Hackathon experience, but nonetheless surpassed my expectations on every level. There was a simple timeline involved: Summit, Bootcamp, and Hackathon summing to 4 days. Before the actual Hackathon, teams were formed using an algorithm that optimizes cognitive diversity. In this way, the organizers ensured that the teams were not formed in a biased manner or with members who have similar strengths. Much focus was placed on the relevance and effectiveness of cognitive diversity in our modern world. Teams were formed for each of the three project categories: COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Predictive Policing, and AI in the Criminal Justice System. 

There was a sense of unified responsibility and determination in the atmosphere

The first item on the Agenda was the AI Summit. This took the form of several Zoom meetings on Day 1  where Hackathon Participants, mentors, organizers, and subject matter experts came together to engage in intellectual conversations regarding Data, Inclusion, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Injustice, and COVID-19. These discussions piqued the interest of and sparked crucial awareness from participants which effectively set the tone for the rest of the event. There was a sense of unified responsibility and determination in the atmosphere and we were all ready to become part of something greater. This Summit particularly opened my eyes to the concept of Data Ethics and helped me understand why everyone should be taking it more seriously.

People from all parts of the globe have presented with an opportunity to participate regardless of their academic background or experience.

 

On Day 2, a series of Master Classes were held as part of the Bootcamp/free hands-on training for all Hackathon Participants. The Hackathon organizers made the entire event as inclusive and accommodating as possible. People from all parts of the globe have presented with an opportunity to participate regardless of their academic background or experience. This Bootcamp presented a very useful learning opportunity for those who wished to gain knowledge and get involved in Artificial Intelligence and Data Ethics. 

The entire day was packed with master classes conducted via Zoom meetings and recorded for those who were not able to join them live. The relevant Subject Matter experts covered topics in Data Visualization, Ethics 101, App Development, Natural Language Processing, and Data Science just to name a few. Each one of them was patient and willing to help or answer any number of questions we had for them, making it a very stress-free and enjoyable learning environment. 

I, Jade Chattergoon, am a proud representative of Trinidad and Tobago; together we made a truly diverse team. 

Day 3 marked the beginning of the Hackathon and I was beyond excited. My team consisted of Aishatu Gwadabe, Jonas Isenegger, Bijal Mehta, and Irfan Mansuri. They come from Benin, Canada, the USA, and India respectively. I, Jade Chattergoon, am a proud representative of Trinidad and Tobago; together we made a truly diverse team. 

Our mentor, Taurean Dyer who never hesitated to lend us his guidance

Although we came from different time zones, we were able to develop an effective shift system and make the best use of the time given. My team members were very easy to work with, compassionate, determined and had amazing work ethics. We developed a hybrid solution for the “AI in Criminal Justice ” category. We called it Gavel 2.0, a name which we hope could one day be known worldwide. We were guided by our mentor, Taurean Dyer who never hesitated to lend us his guidance and support from beginning to end. He believed in us and pushed us to do our very best. By the end of the Hackathon, we were all very pleased with our efforts. I also had the pleasure of writing the final article submission which incorporated all our work in one piece. Then, we patiently awaited the results.

We were asked to present our solution on the day of the Awards Ceremony and we saw this as the perfect opportunity to show everyone the importance of our project and why our solution is impactful to all minority groups and communities who have been consistently mistreated.

We were thrilled to hear of our achievement as Grand Prize Winners. It was a perfect way to top off such a fulfilling event. The Ethics4NextGen AI Hackathon was definitely one to remember and I am sure that every single person involved was able to gain something meaningful from it.