From September 13 – 15, 2024, technologists will gather in Boulder Colorado for the second annual AI and the Church Hackathon sponsored by Gloo – a network connecting the “faith ecosystem.” The theme of the coming event will be “Redemptive Technology.” Technologists will develop new concepts, ideas and solutions related to AI so that these technologies can be used and properly applied in everyday church life.
The 2024 Hackathon will focus on five areas of human flourishing: spiritual, physical and mental, vocational, financial, and relational. According to their website, they hope to “spark innovation, challenge boundaries, and engage in thoughtful discussions.” The event also aims to gather organizational and network leaders to discuss the responsible use of AI.
Gloo’s Chairman of the Board and CEO of Intel Pat Gelsinger will speak about “The Power of AI to Do Good.” Several working groups will also convene during the event. Participants in those groups will include Ed Stetzer who is Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola, and leaders from organizations such as YouVersion, Right Now Media, ACS Technologies and PushPay.
“…we want to enable the Church to use AI for good,” said Steele Billings, head of AI and Gloo Ventures which is a division focused on investing in and accelerating innovative technologies that support human flourishing. “By hosting the hackathon, our goal is to create a space for Kingdom-minded technologists to come together, share ideas and ultimately create solutions that honor God and serve the entire Church.”
In a press release, Gloo reported that they will offer a total of $250,000 in cash prizes across several categories to teams that create AI-powered solutions that help “the thriving of churches and the advancement of human flourishing.” This year the event has expanded its capacity for participants to 300.
“Last year, we saw some of the most talented and passionate technologists come together and leverage AI to serve the Church,“ said Ali Llewellyn from Quite Uncommon, a strategy and technology firm that served on the previous 2023 Hackathon. “At this year’s event, we will continue to harness the transformative power of AI and apply it in new and redemptive ways.”
Llewellyn and Nick Skytland, also from Quite Uncommon, will bring their collective experiences as technology designers and organizers to help facilitate the 2024 Hackathon.
In 2023, Gloo conducted its first Hackathon focusing AI-based technological solutions in four categories: addressing church administration, equipping church leaders, deepening intimacy with God, and a “wild card” category. Gloo’s CEO Scott Beck, YouVersion CTO James Chung, and VP of software and experience for Right Now Media Scott Mosley were part of this first Hackathon as panel judges.
Applications to participate in the 2024 Hackathon were due in early June. To be added to the waitlist, visit www.gloo.us/hackathon.
As a technology innovator, Gloo seeks to connect ministry leaders with resources, people, data and insights “so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive.”
