About the challenge
For Trojans, by Trojans. AI@USC is a two-day, in-person hackathon hosted by HackSC x the USC AI Committee, with support from USC Student Government (USG & GSG). On November 14-15, students from every major will gather in Ginsburg Hall to reimagine what it's like to connect and thrive on campus.
Working in small teams, you'll build AI-powered tools, prototypes, and solutions that tackle everyday pain points at USC: how student organizations recruit members, run events, and share resources, and how students find the information, services, and opportunities they need.
This isn't just an exercise. USC Student Government intends to take the strongest solutions and work to implement them, so what you build this weekend can become a real, lasting change on campus.
Whether you code, design, organize, or just have a great idea, there's a place for you here. Mentors from across the university and industry will be on hand to help, and the top 10 teams will pitch their projects to a panel of faculty, industry leaders, and student leaders.
Why join
- $17,000+ in prizes: $14,000 in cash for the top three teams, plus PS5s, AirPods Pro 3, and Arc'teryx backpacks for honorable mentions
- Career opportunities: a guaranteed interview with K1 Investments or its portfolio companies, a company tour, and lunch with the CEO, plus an LA Tech Trek to AWS, Google, Meta, Snap, and LinkedIn
- Real campus impact: top projects go to Student Government for implementation
- Free food all weekend: breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night boba, and Sunday breakfast
- Hands-on workshops, a fireside chat, mentors, sponsor tabling, and AI@USC merch
- Beginner friendly: no hackathon experience needed, and solo hackers can find a team at Saturday's matching session
Schedule
The full schedule will be posted at aiusc.org closer to the event.
Get started
- Register through the AI@USC registration form (open to currently enrolled USC undergraduate and graduate students).
- Join this hackathon on Devpost, and join the AI@USC Slack (you'll get the invite when you register).
- Form a team of 1 to 4. Cross-major teams are strongly encouraged, and you can find teammates at Saturday's matching session.
- Build, then submit here by Sunday, November 15 at 11:00 AM PT.
Requirements
What to Build
Build an AI-powered tool, prototype, or solution that makes campus life better for USC students or student organizations. Strong projects start from a real friction point you or your friends have felt, for example:
- How student orgs recruit members, manage events, and share resources
- How students find the information, services, and opportunities they need
- Anything else that would help Trojans connect and thrive
Build with adoption in mind: the most feasible projects may be taken forward by Student Government and campus departments.
What to Submit
Submit on Devpost by Sunday, November 15 at 11:00 AM PT, with every teammate added. Each entry must include:
- Project description: The problem, your solution, your tech stack, challenges you faced, and your goals for future implementation.
- Working prototype link: A link to your web or mobile app, your code repository (e.g., GitHub), or a functional demo.
- Video demo (3 minutes max): A walkthrough of the user workflow and your live prototype.
- Slide deck: A short pitch deck (PDF or Google Slides).
- At least one image or screenshot of your project.
Prizes
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Honorable Mention: PlayStation 5
A PS5 for each team member (up to 4). Awarded to a standout project that judges want to recognize beyond the top three.
Honorable Mention: AirPods Pro 3
Apple AirPods Pro 3 for each team member (up to 4). Awarded to a standout project that judges want to recognize beyond the top three.
Honorable Mention: Arc'teryx Backpack
An Arc'teryx backpack for each team member (up to 4). Awarded to a standout project that judges want to recognize beyond the top three.
K1 Investments Career Prize
A guaranteed interview and consideration for roles with K1 Investments or its portfolio companies, a company tour, and lunch with the CEO.
LA Tech Trek
An LA Tech Trek to AWS, Google, Meta, Snap, and LinkedIn: go behind the scenes and meet the teams building AI in LA.
Judges
AI@USC Judging Panel
USC faculty, industry leaders & USC Student Government
Judging Criteria
-
Impact & Campus Relevance (30%)
Does the project address a real, significant friction point for USC students or student organizations? Could it substantially improve campus life? -
Technical & AI Execution (25%)
How well is the technology built? Does the solution use AI effectively, accurately, and securely? -
Feasibility & Implementation (25%)
Could Student Government and campus departments realistically adopt or deploy this project in upcoming semesters? -
User Experience & Design (20%)
Is the prototype intuitive, accessible, visually appealing, and tailored to the needs of Trojan students?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager