Future Tech Hackathon
Pr. George’s Future Tech Hackathon Seeks AI Solutions That Work for Residents
Artificial intelligence is often discussed in terms of corporate productivity and futuristic applications. Prince George’s County is bringing the conversation closer to home by asking a more immediate question: How can AI make daily life safer, easier and more equitable for county residents?
The PGC Future Tech: Capitol Technology University Hackathon will bring aspiring innovators, technology professionals, students and community-minded problem-solvers together on Friday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Capitol Technology University in Laurel.
Presented by the Prince George’s County Office of Information Technology and Capitol Technology University in partnership with Amazon Web Services, the event will challenge teams to develop AI-powered solutions addressing real county needs.
Participants may focus on resident-facing services, including healthcare access, student assistance and social-impact programs. Another track will explore county priorities such as public safety, infrastructure, business support and community services. An open-innovation category will allow teams to propose other ideas capable of improving government operations or residents’ quality of life.
For residents, the potential gains could be significant. Carefully designed technology could make public information easier to find, help families locate health and social services, identify infrastructure concerns earlier or reduce the time required to navigate county programs. Small-business owners could benefit from digital tools that simplify access to assistance, contracting opportunities and regulatory information.
Public protection is another important part of the challenge. AI applications could help government agencies analyze data, identify emerging public-safety concerns and respond more efficiently to service requests. Cybersecurity expertise represented at the event may also encourage solutions that strengthen the protection of county systems and sensitive information.
Those benefits, however, depend on responsible development. Technology used in government must protect personal information, avoid discriminatory results and remain understandable to the people affected by it. The hackathon allows county technology leaders, university faculty and industry mentors to encourage innovation while examining privacy, security, fairness and human oversight.
The event also represents an investment in Prince George’s County’s technology pipeline. Beginners, intermediate participants and experienced professionals are welcome. Teams will consist of four or five members, although individuals may register without a team and request placement with one.
The strongest outcome may not be a fully finished application by the end of the day. It may be the creation of promising concepts—and new partnerships—that can eventually become useful tools for residents.
The hackathon will take place in the Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Auditorium at Capitol Technology University, 11301 Springfield Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708. Advance registration is required, and participants are encouraged to bring their own devices. Registration is available.
