The 2025 AI Bounty Hackathon, a groundbreaking 48-hour virtual event orchestrated by HackTheFest, has emerged as a pivotal force in the global pursuit of ethical artificial intelligence. This ambitious initiative, running from July 1st to 3rd, has drawn hundreds of participants from diverse corners of the world, including North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, solidifying its position as one of the largest virtual gatherings dedicated to AI security. The hackathon’s core mission revolves around confronting and mitigating bias in AI systems, fostering a future where these powerful technologies operate with fairness and inclusivity. This event signifies more than just a competition; it represents a crucial training ground for the next generation of AI professionals committed to responsible development and deployment.
At the helm of this significant undertaking is Rianat Abbas, a distinguished product risk expert and a prominent voice in the field of AI ethics. Abbas leads a formidable team of seasoned professionals, each bringing unique expertise to the table. Ifeoma Eleweke serves as Community Lead and Co-organiser, ensuring a vibrant and collaborative environment for participants. The technical aspects of the hackathon are overseen by Samuel Ajuwon, Technical Director of Machine Learning and Fairness Evaluation, and Oluwafemi Oloruntoba, Director of AI Fairness and Data Innovation. Ethical considerations and policy implications are addressed by Idara Bassey, Lead Ethics and Policy Adviser. User experience is championed by Raphael Ugboko, Director of User Experience, while Eru Oghene, Lead Cybersecurity Analyst, safeguards the integrity and security of the event. This diverse and highly skilled team underscores the hackathon’s commitment to a holistic approach to AI ethics.
The hackathon’s challenge focuses on equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to identify, document, and ultimately mitigate algorithmic bias. Participants are immersed in a hands-on learning experience, utilizing advanced machine learning tools, fairness auditing frameworks, and interpretability techniques to dissect AI systems and identify potential sources of bias. Their submissions, encompassing detailed technical reports, will form a valuable contribution to a growing public knowledge base on AI risk, empowering developers, educators, and institutions with the insights needed to promote ethical AI deployment. This collaborative approach to knowledge sharing underscores the hackathon’s commitment to building a more transparent and accountable AI landscape.
The 2025 AI Bounty Hackathon has garnered significant support from industry leaders and experts in the field of AI safety and algorithmic accountability. Over 30 global judges and mentors from prominent organizations such as OpenAI, Google, MetaAI, Nvidia, Amazon, Workday, Visa, and SnapChat have lent their expertise to the event, providing invaluable guidance and feedback to participants. This impressive roster of mentors highlights the growing recognition of the importance of ethical AI within the tech industry and reinforces the hackathon’s position as a leading force in driving positive change.
The impact of the hackathon extends beyond the immediate competition. The organizers have committed to publishing top submissions in an open-access AI Risk Repository, a crucial resource for developers, educators, and institutions striving to implement ethical AI practices. This initiative aims to democratize access to critical information on AI risk, fostering a more informed and collaborative approach to tackling bias. It also underscores the hackathon’s commitment to long-term impact, ensuring that the knowledge generated during the event continues to benefit the wider AI community.
With participation from over 20 countries and support from academic institutions, tech policy experts, and fairness advocates, HackTheFest’s AI Bounty Hackathon has emerged as a powerful catalyst for change in the AI landscape. The event’s focus extends beyond simply testing code; it aims to shape a movement that ensures AI serves all of society, not just a privileged few. This resonates with the growing global call for responsible technology development, emphasizing the need for AI systems that are inclusive, equitable, and beneficial to all. The hackathon embodies a collective effort to rethink how AI can better serve humanity, paving the way for a future where these powerful technologies are harnessed for good.
