The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is inviting the public to attend its Coding for Wellness AI Hackathon pitch event on Friday, June 13, from 3 p.m. in the EIT Auditorium on campus.
The pitch competition will serve as the culminating event of UA Little Rock’s first-ever AI & Mental Health Hackathon, a weeklong hands-on summer program where high school students and college students have collaborated to design AI-powered solutions for mental health challenges created by local companies and educators.
The program is sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. It showcases how technology and compassion can come together to support mental wellness in our communities. Many educators and industry experts are also volunteering during the summer program to serve as pitch judges and support the students through fun wellness activities.
“This event is more than just a competition. It’s a window into what’s possible when young people are empowered with the tools to make real change,” said Marla Johnson, tech-entrepreneur-in-residence at UA Little Rock. “These students will spend the week learning about mental health issues and the power of AI from educators and industry experts, and now they’ll get to present innovative solutions that could one day make a real impact. We’re inviting the public to come see just how inspiring the next generation of problem solvers can be.”
Attendees will watch interdisciplinary student teams pitch their final projects to a panel of judges for a chance to win a cash prize. Each participant in the program will also receive an AI certification from UA Little Rock and NVIDIA, marking their completion of the immersive experience.
The public is encouraged to come and support these students and learn more about the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health care.
Spots can be reserved here.
