Gloo Hosts AI Hackathon for Christian Community

This October, faith-based technology platform Gloo will host its first hackathon focused on artificial intelligence for churches and ministries. The AI & the Church Hackathon takes place October 6-8, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.

The weekend-long event challenges participants to create AI-powered applications that address real needs in the faith sector. With categories like church administration, giving, data management, workflow automation, discipleship tools and content creation, hackers will have the chance to dream up innovative solutions using AI technology.

Winning teams can qualify for awards from a $1 million prize pool as well as be considered for business development opportunities with Gloo to further develop their concepts.

Equipping Christian Technologists to Serve the Faith Community

The hackathon aims to connect mission-driven technologists with problems facing faith-based organizations that AI could help solve. The goal is to rapidly prototype practical AI applications churches and ministries can use immediately to increase efficiency, better serve their communities, and foster growth.

“The Church needs initiatives like this hackathon to encourage church leaders to consider how technology can drive more efficiency and creative thinking around the objectives local ministries are focused on,” said Kenny Jahng, founder of AIForChurchLeaders.com.

Many churches and ministries lack the expertise to develop custom AI tools, despite having data and use cases that could benefit enormously from machine learning and generative AI. This event aims to facilitate that matching process.

“There are talented technologists around the world who long to use their skills and talents for higher purposes, such as helping people grow and reach their greatest potential,” said co-host Nick Skytland.

Focusing AI on Human Potential and Flourishing

While AI offers many benefits, the technology also comes with ethical considerations. Gloo emphasizes using AI to foster human dignity, compassion, justice, and community – not just optimize efficiency.

The AI hackathon will explore how to leverage AI to unlock human potential, growth, and flourishing. Creators will develop solutions that align with the values and real needs of faith-based organizations. The focus is purposeful technology that serves spiritual development and tighter-knit congregations.

By facilitating collaboration between technologists and ministry leaders, the event also seeds important conversations around responsible and ethical AI development for the faith sector.

According to the Hackathon webpage, the focus of the event is to encourage AI-based solutions that:

• Solves a real need
• Serves church leaders
• Helps the big “C” Church drive the responsible use of AI

Equipping the Faith Community for the Future

This hackathon represents the latest step in Gloo’s mission to connect and empower faith-based organizations through technology. It builds on the momentum of their launch last year and 2022 Gloo Synergy conference.

For ministry technologists and innovators, it’s a chance to use their skills for meaningful impact. And for churches, it opens up possibilities that didn’t exist before. The result is a future-focused ministry environment, where technology removes barriers and helps bring out the best in people.

Hackathon Agenda and Participation Details

The AI & the Church Hackathon takes place October 6-8 in Boulder, Colorado. The agenda includes:

Friday:

3:00p – 5:00p Registration
6:00p – 8:00p Overview
8:00p – 12:00a Work time

Saturday:

9:00a – 7:00p Work time
7:00p – 8:30p All hands

Sunday:

9:30a – 11:00a Work time
11:00a Submission deadline
11:00a – 12:30p Presentations
12:30p – 1:30p All hands
1:30p – 2:00p Awards
2:00p End & After Party

Anyone interested in participating can apply at www.gloo.us/hackathon. The website also provides full event details including agenda timing, submission guidelines, judging criteria and more.

Spots are limited, so interested technologists, designers, and data scientists are encouraged to apply soon.

Are you considering participating? Let us know if you have any interest. ChurchTechToday.com will be attending, and we’d love to connect entrepreneurs, coders, and technologists beforehand with each other. We also have a private Slack channel for Christian AI entrepreneurs we’d love to invite you to if interested!