Artificial intelligence. Computer science. Virtual reality. Blockchain.<\/p>\n
From Tik Tok trends to AI-generated avatars, from NFTs to chatbots that write poetry, evolving technologies are changing how we make, think about, own, present, and share art \u2013 creating fresh opportunities and new challenges in our evermore digital world.<\/p>\n
UConn undergraduates are invited to tackle the issues that arise as \u201cArt Meets Technology\u201d at 2023\u2019s HackUConn<\/a> \u2013 a 20-hour in-person hackathon that aims to bring together young innovators and industry experts for a non-stop, fast-paced invention competition.<\/p>\n \u201cWe chose \u2018Art Meets Technology\u2019 to bring HackUConn to areas we have yet to explore and to expose our participants to the problems and opportunities that exist within this space,\u201d says Sophia Manos \u201924 (CLAS), the marketing team co-lead for HackUConn 2023.<\/p>\n A hackathon is an opportunity for designers, engineers, project managers, business and marketing talent, innovators, entrepreneurs, and any interested individuals to come together and innovate hardware and software solutions to real problems. HackUConn first launched in 2016 as a way to help contribute to the University\u2019s now thriving and collaborative entrepreneurial culture.<\/p>\n \u201cHackUConn is a unique experience that has allowed me to connect with students I may not otherwise know \u2013 the friendships that have grown from this one, 20-hour event truly spread beyond the event timeframe,\u201d says Katherine Bates \u201925 (CLAS), 2023 HackUConn\u2019s student planning lead. \u201cI have been exposed to so many new and innovative ideas through HackUConn, it is truly an experience like no other.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s HackUConn event will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 3 (with check-in between 4:00-5:00 pm), and run until noon on Saturday, March 4, at Werth Tower in Storrs.<\/p>\n Registration for the event is now open<\/a>, and students are encouraged to register by Friday, February 24. Students can register individually and then join a team at the event, or have the option of building a team before the event and registering together, though teams cannot bring in prior work \u2013 hacking can only be done during the event\u2019s announced hacking period.<\/p>\n Teams will identify problems that they care about related to the duality of art and technology that they might be unaware even exist, the organizers explain, and then work together to devise creative and innovative solutions to those problems, with the help of mentoring and workshops from industry professionals and UConn faculty and staff. Teams will have access to resources including hacking supplies, 3D printers, and laser cutters to help build their prototypes.<\/p>\n Over the course of the 20 consecutive hours, the student teams will brainstorm, prototype, and pitch their solutions to a panel of judges, who then select winning ideas and award prizes. Some previous HackUConn winners have gone on to later pitch their hacked ideas to UConn\u2019s Get Seeded<\/a>, which gives students opportunities to earn seed funding and mentorship to help launch an entrepreneurial idea.<\/p>\n Coding or computer science experience is not necessary to participate \u2013 HackUConn encourages any undergraduate students with an interest in the theme of \u201cArt Meets Technology\u201d or a desire to develop entrepreneurial and teamwork skills to sign up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe student experiences fostered by HackUConn are truly some of the most unique and rewarding that I have witnessed during my time as a staff member here at our University,\u201d says Aaron Rosman, operations manager for the Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. \u201cNothing compares to seeing a group of students of all backgrounds and lived experiences come together, get a little out of their comfort zone, and try to tackle the problems our chosen theme presents in their own authentic style. It\u2019s a marathon event, but every student who competes in this space comes out a champion in my mind.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n