AI Hackathon: Where Blockchain Meets Brains and $100K 🤑

Flare, in cahoots with Google Cloud, is throwing a Verifiable AI Hackathon at UC Berkeley from March 7-9. It’s like a science fair, but with more caffeine, less sleep, and a $100,000 prize pool that’s split between in-person participants ($60,000) and virtual teams ($40,000). Because, you know, virtual teams deserve love too—just not as much money. 🤑

The hackathon will feature four tracks: Social AI Agents (because even AI needs friends), RAG Knowledge Systems (think of it as AI’s Wikipedia phase), DeFi x AI (DeFAI, because finance needs more acronyms), and Consensus Learning (where AI learns to agree with itself).

The grand plan? To prove that TEEs (Trusted Execution Environments, not the drink) can make blockchain applications faster, smarter, and more scalable by letting AI do its thing off-chain. It’s like outsourcing, but for algorithms. 🤖

Participants will get to play with Google Cloud’s Confidential Computing and Flare’s decentralized blockchain protocols. Expect up to 500 developers, students, and enthusiasts to show up, all competing to create AI-powered blockchain solutions. It’s like a tech-themed Hunger Games, but with fewer arrows and more code. 💻

Fun fact: Since January 2024, Google Cloud has been a validator and data provider for Flare’s Time Series Oracle (FTSO). With 100% uptime since June 2024, Google Cloud is one of the 100 data providers keeping the SwiftMove blockchain running smoothly. It’s like the unsung hero of blockchain, but with better PR. 🦸‍♂️

This hackathon is the latest chapter in Flare and Google Cloud’s bromance. Since January 2024, Google Cloud has been helping Flare’s decentralized data system by providing crucial data for its Oracle service. It’s like a buddy cop movie, but with more servers and fewer car chases. 🚔

Flare’s CEO, Hugo Philion, summed it up nicely: “We’re not just innovating; we’re setting new standards for how AI and blockchain can work together.” Translation: “We’re basically inventing the future, but you’re welcome to join us.” 🚀

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2025-02-05 21:35