Seneca Hacks - Official Rules

September 12-14, 2024

Challenge Overview

Create the most effective NLP processing pipeline that delivers the highest accuracy on the largest dataset in the shortest time, using the provided computing resources and experimental data preprocessing approaches.

 

Focus Areas

AI-Powered Systems: Create intelligent systems that process massive datasets and answer complex questions in real time.

Real Time Processing: Build solutions that handle demanding computational challenges with maximum speed and accuracy.

Innovation Focus: Tackle cutting-edge challenges in decentralized AI infrastructure and data processing.

 

Important Dates & Timeline (Check the full schedule here)

  • Hackathon Start: September 12, 2024
  • Hackathon End: September 14, 2024
  • Submission Deadline: September 14, 12 pm. 
    *Must be time stamped no later than 12pm for submission to be considered for prizes.
  • Winner Announcement: 5 pm at the Awards Ceremony

 

Eligibility Requirements

Who Can Participate
  • Current students (any level: undergraduate, graduate, etc.)
  • Fresh graduates within 2 years of graduation
  • Both individual participants and teams are welcome. Must be a team of 4 to be considered for prizes.
Team Requirements
  • Teams may consist of multiple eligible participants
  • All team members must meet the eligibility criteria above
  • Form a team of 4 (If you're coming solo, you can find new team members by joining our Discord)  Must be a team of 4 to be considered for prizes.

 

Project Requirements

Technical Requirements

Working Demo or Application

  • Must showcase performance metrics (speed, scale, efficiency)
  • Should demonstrate significant data processing capabilities
  • Must be functional and demonstrate real-time or near real-time processing

NLP Processing Pipeline Focus

  • Project must center on Natural Language Processing
  • Should demonstrate effectiveness in processing large datasets
  • Must show measurable accuracy improvements
  • Should optimize for speed and efficiency

Data Processing

  • Projects should handle substantial datasets
  • Demonstrate experimental data preprocessing approaches
  • Show innovative approaches to data handling and processing

 

Code Quality Standards

Clean and Well-Structured Codebase

  • Demonstrates strong technical quality and architecture
  • Includes comprehensive documentation and comments
  • Code should be organized and easily understandable
  • Must follow best practices for the chosen technology stack

Accurate and Relevant Outputs

  • The application must provide correct and meaningful responses
  • Results should be verifiable and demonstrate claimed performance
  • Must show clear accuracy metrics and benchmarks

 

Innovation Requirements

Innovative Features or Approaches

  • Highlight creative and novel problem-solving methods
  • Demonstrate unique approaches to NLP processing
  • Show innovation in pipeline design or data processing
  • Present original solutions to technical challenges

User Interface & Experience

  • Provide a functional and visually clear interface
  • Ensure smooth demonstration experience
  • Interface should effectively showcase the NLP pipeline capabilities
  • Must be accessible to judges for evaluation

 

Submission Requirements

 

Submission Format
  • All submissions must be made through the Devpost
  • Ensure all links are publicly accessible for judging, or specify access
  • Submit before the official deadline of 12 pm (late submissions will be disqualified)

 

Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

1. Performance 30%

Speed, scalability, efficiency

2. Technical Quality 25%

Code quality, architecture

3. Accuracy (20%)

Relevance and correctness of responses

4. Innovation (15%)

Creativity and uniqueness

5. User Experience (10%)

Interface and Demo Quality

 

Rules and Guidelines

Project Originality
  • Projects must be substantially created during the hackathon period
Fair Play
  • All participants must compete fairly and ethically
  • Plagiarism or copying other teams' work is strictly prohibited
Resource Usage
  • Participants must use the provided computing resources responsibly
  • Any external APIs or services used must be clearly documented
  • Ensure all tools and libraries used are legally accessible and properly licensed
Disqualification

Projects may be disqualified for:

  • Failure to meet submission requirements
  • Missing required components (demo, code, documentation)
  • Violation of eligibility requirements
  • Unethical behavior or rule violations
  • Late submission after the deadline

 

Technical Support & Communication

Getting Help
  • Technical questions should be posted in the official Discord channel
  • All participants will receive equal access to clarifications and updates
Updates and Changes
  • Check the Discussion forum regularly for updates and announcements
  • Important changes will be sent directly to all registered participants
  • We have the right to change any rules or guideless whenever we like without notice
  • We reserve the right to modify or update the rules and guidelines at any time, without prior notice

 

Contact Information

For questions about these rules or the competition:

  • Post in the official Discord forum for public questions
  • Contact organizers directly for private concerns
Good luck, and happy hacking!

 

Last updated: Sep 12th, Competition organized by Seneca Innovation Center

Seneca Hacks 2025 – Code of Conduct

1. Respect and Inclusivity
  • Treat all participants, judges, mentors, organizers, and sponsors with respect.

  • Harassment, discrimination, or disrespectful behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.

  • We welcome participants of all backgrounds, skill levels, and experiences.

2. Collaboration and Fair Play

  • Teams must consist of 4 members (as required by the hackathon rules).

  • Collaboration between teams is allowed for knowledge-sharing, but submissions must represent the original work of your team.

  • Plagiarism, cheating, or submitting work that is not your own will result in disqualification.

3. Professionalism

  • This is a professional event: conduct yourself in a way that reflects positively on you, your team, and the broader community.

  • Respect the venue, equipment, and resources provided by Seneca Innovation Center and partners.

  • Alcohol, drugs, or disruptive behavior are strictly prohibited during the event.

4. Privacy and Data Use

  • Do not share or misuse other participants’ personal information.

  • Use provided datasets responsibly. If external data is used, it must be openly licensed.

5. Submission Rules

  • Projects must meet the stated challenge: build an NLP/data processing pipeline with accuracy, speed, and scalability.

  • Submissions must include:

    • A working demo or application

    • A clean, well-structured codebase with documentation

    • A clear explanation of features and approach

  • Teams must submit by the deadline to be eligible for judging.

6. Judging and Decisions

  • Projects will be judged on: Performance (30%), Technical Quality (25%), Accuracy (20%), Innovation (15%), User Experience (10%).

  • Judges’ decisions are final and binding.

7. Safety and Wellbeing

  • This is a high-energy 48-hour event: take breaks, stay hydrated, and look out for one another.

  • If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, please report it immediately to an organizer.

8. Consequences of Misconduct

  • Violations of this Code may result in:

    • Warning from organizers

    • Removal from the hackathon

    • Disqualification from prizes