About the challenge

Inspired by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's essay Machines of Loving Grace, we're asking: what does it look like to build AI that actually makes the world better?

This isn't a vibe-coding competition. We're looking for teams who pick a real problem, build something that genuinely helps real people, and think seriously about what could go wrong. Whether you're tackling health equity, civic participation, economic access, or something entirely your own — if it matters, build it.

When & Where: April 2026 · UCLA Grand Ackerman Ballroom

Who: Open to all undergraduate students across participating institutions.

Prizes: $1,500 cash + $3,000 in Anthropic API credits up for grabs.

• Impact Potential
  Real-world value and social relevance Does your project address a problem that actually matters? Judges will be looking at who this helps, how meaningfully it helps them, and whether the solution could realistically reach the people who need it.
• Technical Execution
  Quality of build and Claude API integration How well is your project built, and how thoughtfully is Claude being used? This isn't just about complexity — it's about whether Claude is core to what makes your project work, not just bolted on.
• Ethical Alignment
  Responsible AI use and awareness of risks Did your team think critically about what could go wrong? Judges want to see that you've considered potential harms, biases, or misuse — and that you've made intentional design choices to address them.
• Presentation
  Clarity, polish, and how well you communicate your idea Can you explain what you built, why it matters, and how it works — clearly and concisely? A strong presentation tells a story: the problem, your solution, and a live demo that brings it to life.