AI Tinkerers recently hosted a hackathon in Seattle, showcasing how AI systems can effectively work alongside humans in various capacities. The event, called “Humans-in-the-Loop,” brought together 80 participants who brainstormed ideas for AI applications that combine the strengths of humans and machines. Engineers from leading tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google were in attendance, along with other tech professionals from Seattle and beyond. Anthropic and CopilotKit also supported the event, which was held at the new Foundations space in Capitol Hill.
The top prize at the hackathon went to MetabolixAI, a platform that offers personalized nutrition insights and meal planning. By utilizing AI to analyze user data from glucose meters and meal images, along with general preferences, the system creates customized nutritional advice and analyzes glucose responses. The runner-up prize went to AI DevRel Project, which scans online forums for developer tool product discussions and crafts appropriate responses to engage users. This system aims to improve developer relations efforts by identifying relevant discussions and incorporating human oversight for quality control. LeadScore, which uses AI to score inbound leads with human assistance for better accuracy, won the community pick prize.
The winning teams were awarded nearly $15,000 in prize money, with notable contributions from Seattle tech experts like Diego Oppenheimer, Kenny Daniel, and Laurel Orr. They developed a multiplayer game where players build factions through one-on-one conversations with AI agents. Joe Heitzeberg, a veteran in the Seattle tech scene and founder of AI Tinkerers, noted the hackathon’s diverse participation, drawing engineers and companies from across the country, including San Francisco-based Anthropic, an Amazon-backed OpenAI competitor. AI Tinkerers, originally a Seattle-based meetup group, now hosts events like meetups and hackathons in various cities worldwide.
The “Humans-in-the-Loop” hackathon showcased the potential for AI to work hand in hand with humans in both personal and professional contexts. The event not only brought together engineers from major tech companies but also provided a platform for innovative ideas and collaboration. Winning projects like MetabolixAI and AI DevRel Project demonstrated the practical application of AI in areas like personalized nutrition insights and developer relations. The community pick winner, LeadScore, also highlighted the importance of combining AI with human input for more effective lead scoring.
Overall, the hackathon was a success, with innovative projects, diverse participation, and significant prize money awarded to the winning teams. AI Tinkerers, founded by Joe Heitzeberg as a meetup group for technical builders, has now expanded its reach to host events in multiple cities globally. With the increasing integration of AI technologies into various aspects of society, events like the “Humans-in-the-Loop” hackathon serve as a valuable platform for exploring the ways in which AI can complement human abilities and enhance various processes. The success of the event underscores the growing importance of collaboration between humans and AI in driving innovation and solving complex problems.
