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Hello <<First Name>>,
We very much hope that you and your loved ones are safe during this challenging and difficult time.
On January 22nd, 2021, the Climate Crisis AI Hackathon begins.
“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the planet. It will need every solution possible, including technology like artificial intelligence (AI).” National Geographic
The Climate Crisis AI Hackathon is a 48-hour event over the weekend of January 22nd. It will bring together beginners and experts to tackle Climate Change related problems using AI.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hackathon and conference is going fully online and is open to applicants globally. We look forward to making this year's event the best one yet.
 Those accepted to participate and who don't have teams will be put into teams that we believe will have a complementary set of skills and a fair chance to create something great and potentially win.
Those who wish to participate in the Climate Crisis AI Hackathon must fill out the application and get a ticket.
The first round of applications will close at 11:59 PM (EST) on December 11th (acceptance will get progressively more difficult in subsequent application rounds).
Interested in how AI can be used to help address climate change but don't want to participate in the Climate Crisis AI Hackathon?
Purchase a spectator ticket and join us on Friday, January 22nd (EST) for the kickoff and discussions with experts and on Sunday, January 24th (EST) as you get to be part of the excitement in seeing what teams can build in 48 hours, see and learn how an AI Launch Lab Hackathon works, and watch presentations and demos from Hackathon participants.
Apply here:
https://forms.gle/pDZ9GAMtbj67amzw6
Register for the Hackathon and Conference:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-crisis-ai-hackathon-kickoff-conference-tickets-130078511329
You can also follow updates on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/S7UKCgFc
The Hackathon
Over 250 vetted, talented, and diverse participants supported by leading mentors in their fields will come together to collaborate to address the climate crisis and its impacts on communities and ecosystems. Moreover, an additional 250+ will attend the Kickoff Conference Talks with distinguished guests. The event will prioritize inclusivity, bringing 75% participation from underrepresented groups in tech. It is in collaboration with and supported by District 3 Innovation Center, Montréal Newtech, Concordia University, CIFAR, Environment Canada, Canadian Center for Climate Services, SecondMuse, Dawson College, Front Row Ventures, AI For Tomorrow, and others.
This year's event will be virtual, international in reach, will expand on the variety of challenges that will be offered to participants. It will also bring challenges that can engage with people at a variety of different skill sets and years of experience. This way participants from any background can compete if they are interested in the concept.
Why apply to the Climate Crisis AI Hackathon?
In addition to potentially impacting the world positively, a fun and exciting experience, the opportunity to showcase your talents to some of the most exciting companies and potentially get hired, and all of the potential prizes, selected hackathon participants will be invited to interview for the AI Launch Lab Research & Development Spring Cohort. The program is part-time and designed to be accessible to students and to those who are working and will enable you to acquire experience and skills in AI by giving you the support and mentorship needed to push the boundaries of AI in research and development and open innovation projects.
Who should apply?
Anyone who is motivated and determined to use their effort, skills, and talent to build something awesome and make a difference should apply! Those accepted to participate and who don't have teams will be put into teams that we believe will have a complementary set of skills and a fair chance to create something great and potentially win.
Apply individually and we will take care of grouping you into a team or invent a team name and apply to participate with people you already know.
You are not expected to be an artificial intelligence expert to participate in this activity, although some coding experience will help you solve the challenge. Mentors will be available at the event to help guide you in case you get stuck.
 The Conference and the Speaker & Workshop Series
In 2019, The Climate Change AI Hackathon included distinguished speakers such as Yoshua Bengio, one of the world’s leading researchers in AI, Sasha Luccioni, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Mila Institute working on AI for Humanity Initiatives, and Dominic Champagne, Renowned Playwright, Scriptwriter, Director and an initiator of Pacte pour la transition, a movement encouraging government and individuals to fight climate change.
This year there will be a phenomenal list of speakers, including David Rolnick, Assistant Professor at McGill and Mila, Cofounder and Co-director of Climate Change AI, scientific co-director of Sustainability in the Digital Age, and lead author of Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning.
There will also be workshops and talks in advance of the hackathon and conference in order to provide early onboarding, build momentum, and provide as much guidance and support as possible in order to increase chances for better outcomes for everyone and increased likelihood for tangible impact.
Challenge Types
We're fortunate to have several exciting challenges with amazing partners that will be announced in the coming weeks.
This event aims to promote and encourage learning, collaboration, and impact.
After the hackathon, selected teams will be awarded the opportunity to meet with experts and VIPs from AI, climate science, tech, and venture capital.
The first round of applications close at 11:59 PM (EST) on December 11th (acceptance in each subsequent round will become progressively more difficult):
Apply here:
https://forms.gle/pDZ9GAMtbj67amzw6
Register for the Hackathon and Conference:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-crisis-ai-hackathon-kickoff-conference-tickets-130078511329
Our team hopes that you are and continue to be safe and sound and doing well, and we hope to e-meet you soon!
Timothy Pereira
AI Launch Lab, Artificial Intelligence Concordia
AI Launch Lab is an initiative founded by ConcordAI (Artificial Intelligence Concordia), District 3 Innovation Center, and Montreal NewTech.
AI Launch Lab strongly supports diversity in tech and strives to promote a more inclusive tech culture by prioritizing the empowerment of and the selection of women, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, visible minorities, immigrants, those of all ages, Indigenous Peoples, and disabled or differently abled individuals for >75% of the spots available at the Climate Change AI Hackathon as well as the AI R&D 8-week program.
Given the impacts of AI on the world we live in, we believe that the population should be appropriately and fairly represented in tech in order to ensure that everyone’s interests, contributions and creativity are reflected. You are all valuable and you are all important.
AI Launch Lab Policy
All of our events have a strict, no tolerance policy against violent, aggressive, inappropriate, and/or unprofessional behaviour. Those who are identified as behaving in a way that goes against our policy will be told to leave the premises immediately. Should you be made to feel targeted or uncomfortable or should you witness another person experiencing a situation of this nature, you are welcome and encouraged to come forward and speak to someone from the AI Launch Lab / Artificial Intelligence Concordia management team. Individuals who approach our management team about such issues will with be warmly welcomed, actively listened to, taken seriously, and action will be taken immediately to address and remedy the situation.
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