Unbias hackathon

Artificial Intelligence shapes digital services that have become central to our everyday lives. Online platforms leverage the power of AI to monetize our attention, with often unethical side-effects: our privacy is routinely breached, our perception of the world is seriously distorted, and we are left with unhealthy addictions to our screens and devices. The deep asymmetry of power between users and service providers, the opacity and unaccountability of the algorithms driving these services, and their exploitation by trolls, bullies and propagandists are serious threats to our well-being in the digital era.

This hackathon invites participants to build tools to empower users in their online lives. The tools might address any relevant problem in this space, including (but not limited to) filter bubbles and fake news, biased and unaccountable algorithms, or the profit-driven metrics that guide these AI-powered services.

Prizes will reward the three best contributions overall, and a special separate prize will be dedicated to the contribution that best addresses the issues faced by children. Children represent a third of global users, are among the most vulnerable groups, less armed to negotiate the asymmetry of power between themselves and the digital services they are using.

To participate please apply via the hackathon page on the Unbias Web site. You will be sent a code to get your eventbrite ticket. We are doing it this way to ensure we get a diverse audience.