HACKS FOR HUMANITY 2024- SUMMARY
overview
Project Humanities Celebrates 11 Years of Hacking for Humanity
Project Humanities at Arizona State University held its 11th annual “Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the Social Good” from October 11-13, bringing together 103 participants, including students, professionals, and retirees, for 36 hours of innovation. Teams of 3-5 members, drawn from diverse fields like engineering, business, and the arts, collaborated to develop technologies aimed at addressing Mental Health, Energy, and Conflict. Each team’s project had to reflect at least three Humanity 101® principles, such as compassion and integrity. This year’s event, held at ASU SkySong, marked the second fully in-person competition since the pandemic.
TRACKS 2024
Energy
Energy in the form of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables acts as a catalyst of human action, intricately weaving through our decisions, opportunities, and challenges. It has profoundly shaped our existence, enhancing the quality of life, shaping political strategies, preserving environmental integrity, and molding urban landscapes. Now, we must collectively navigate its complexities, recognizing it not just as a technical puzzle but as a social imperative. Together, how do we innovate towards a sustainable future where energy solutions bridge disciplines and ideologies to pave a path towards resilience and progress?
Mental Health
While mental health often carries negative connotations, it also holds immense potential for positive transformation. By harnessing the power of technology, innovation, and a dedicated focus on mental wellbeing, how might we bring about positive change and foster a deeper understanding of mental health across personal, professional, and societal realms that craft innovative solutions to break down barriers, promote resilience, and pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future?
Conflict
Throughout human history, conflict has been an inherent aspect of interaction, arising from disagreements, differing opinions, and competing values. Rather than viewing peace as merely the absence of conflict, how might we embrace the complexities and nuances of conflict? When navigated thoughtfully, how can conflict serve as a pathway towards positive change and greater social good and drive meaningful progress in our communities and beyond?
WINNERS 2024
First Place
Track: Mental Health
Culture Bridges is a platform dedicated to connecting international students and elderly individuals through one-on-one cultural exchanges, group events, and language exchange activities. The Humanity 101 principles in this product are compassion, empathy, and respect.
Second Place
Track: Conflict Resolution
CommUnity is a platform designed to transform refugee camps by addressing the critical issue of employment for refugees. The app facilitates language learning, empowering individuals to acquire new skills and enhance their job prospects. The Humanity 101 principles in this product are compassion, empathy and integrity.
Third Place
Track: Mental health
RefuTech is a platform that helps people in learning a new language while supporting refugees to create opportunities for themselves. The Humanity 101 principles in this product are compassion, empathy and respect.
PARTICIPATION STATS
| Education Level |
Number of Participants |
| Arizona State University (Graduate and Undergraduate) |
41 |
| Chandler Gilbert Community College |
4 |
| High schoolers |
1 |
| Business professionals |
12 |
MENTORS and volunteers STATS
Mentors committed a minimum of 2-hour blocks wherein they tested teams’ ideas and offered guidance. Mentors utilized their expertise to help teams spark creativity, generate ideas, problem solve, and develop final presentations. Mentors were scheduled according to their expertise and assisted participants with submitting on time quality work for deadlines. Team participants were required to show both their Canvas Business Model and Challenge Statement to two mentors and run their pitch by a panel of mentors for feedback and approval before presenting their live pitches to final competition judges. Mentors from diverse fields provided critical perspectives for each team.
Volunteers had responsibilities such as event setup, assisting with the icebreaker, verifying team submissions for participants, as well as assisting Project Humanities staff as needed.
Plenary
Ethics and Technology
Dr. Sarah Florini of the ASU Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics delivered a plenary speech addressing the increasing water consumption by data storage units and the pressing need for sustainable practices. She emphasized strategies for integrating green energy solutions to reduce environmental impact. Her insights urged a collective shift towards eco-friendly technologies in data management and ended with connections to our Humanity 101 principles.
Sarah Florini, PhD is an Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies and the Associate Director of the Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics, where she co-chairs the AI and Ethics workgroup. Her work focuses on race and technology, social media, and technology ethics. One of the first scholars to write about Black Twitter and the first to publish about Black podcasting, her work has consistently been at the forefront of race and technology studies. Her current NEH-funded research examines how TikTok content creators from historically marginalized groups understand and navigate the algorithmic governance of the platform.
JUDGES
Dr. Amanda Opperman is a self-described edu-prenuer with over 20 years of experience launching and growing academic programs at colleges and universities across the country. She earned her PhD in Education with an emphasis in Social Justice from the Claremont Graduate School/San Diego State University joint-doctoral program. She is the co-founder of San Francisco-based Helios Education Lab, a consulting agency that serves higher ed, and she was part of the executive team responsible for opening a branch campus of California University of Management & Sciences in San Diego, CA. Amanda recently joined the team at ASU Foundation as the Senior Director of Development for ASU’s Biodesign Institute.
Whitney M. Harvey, Esq. is a business strategist and consultant who combines her legal expertise with wellness practices to enhance corporate environments. As the founder of The Self Coached Lawyer and GENThirty8, she specializes in integrating HypnoBreathwork® to reduce stress, promote mental clarity, and foster leadership. With 20 years of corporate experience, Whitney helps professionals align their personal passions with their careers while promoting inclusivity and well-being in the workplace. She holds a Juris Doctor and is pursuing a PhD in General Psychology with a focus on Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Patti Sampson has spent over 25 years perfecting the follow-up game and mastering various Customer Relations management (CRM) software as a digital marketer, email specialist, top-producing AZ real estate broker, and CRM strategist as the founder of her own marketing companyCRMLadyBoss.com and CEO/ Founder of EngageMore CRM. Her training and experience have helped thousands of small businesses and real estate professionals all over the world to understand the power of their CRM and the importance of why the ‘Money is in the follow-up.’Patti is also the author of the best-selling book Drip Campaign Secrets and a member of the five-time international World Champion Sweet Adelines acapella Scottsdale Chorus.
Mitt Williams, MD, is a retired anesthesiologist, having received her degree from Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, Indiana). Her international healthcare experience includes a fellowship in Cardiac and Pediatric Anesthesia in Sydney, Australia.
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