University of Utah AI Initiative x OpenAI
We’re excited to announce our upcoming AI Codex Hackathon, a fast-paced virtual event designed to help participants explore how artificial intelligence can be applied to real-world challenges across any discipline.
Hosted in collaboration with OpenAI, this event brings industry insight and practical perspective into how AI is being used in today’s academic setting and workforce. Whether you’re brand new to AI or already experimenting with it, technical or non-technical, this experience is designed to give you hands-on practice building meaningful solutions.
Event purpose
Participants will identify a problem within their academic or professional environment and use AI tools to prototype a solution.
No matter your major, role, or experience level, you’ll collaborate, build, and explore how AI can support your goals.
Who should participate
Participants will use the university-provided ChatGPT Edu environment to access Codex including advanced features and reasoning models. If you have not already activated your account, do so in advance to ensure a smooth experience. Review the ChatGPT Edu access guide before the event if you need help getting started.
Project Spark
Pick your discipline and describe the problem you want to improve. We will turn that into a focused project concept, a matching track, and a practical first build plan.
Ready when you are
Choose a field, describe the problem, and generate a concept to get a track recommendation, a practical first build plan, and the minimum inputs you need to start.
gpt-5-mini
No generation yet.
No generation yet.
Challenge tracks
These tracks help guide project ideas.
Improve efficiency, automate tasks, or enhance decision-making.
Address challenges in healthcare, education, accessibility, the environment, or local communities.
Explore new products, services, or operational improvements.
Use AI for storytelling, design, content creation, or human-AI collaboration.
Pursue any idea that demonstrates a meaningful application of AI.
Why participate
Gain hands-on experience with AI tools and build with Codex.
Move from idea to prototype during the event.
Work with people from different roles and backgrounds.
Selected teams will advance to a finalist presentation round.
Team format
Participants are encouraged to work in teams of 3-5 in advance, fostering collaboration across diverse skill sets and perspectives. You may also join a team during the hackathon and kickoff.
While this is a virtual event, participants are welcome to work in person at Adobe Creative Commons in Kahlert Village, where dedicated workspaces, monitors, and collaboration suites will be available.
Office Hours
Use the main hackathon Zoom registration link above to join the event. Participants can also use this scheduling link to reserve optional office hours. The embedded scheduler below should show live availability.
Agenda
Kickoff, welcome, and hackathon introductions.
Best practices and demonstration.
Team formation and breakout setup.
Team intake form completion: team name, members, project idea.
Hacking begins.
Open build time with optional 15-minute Zoom sessions with OpenAI for questions and support.
Day one closes; teams may continue working asynchronously.
Project submission
Teams will submit a brief project summary along with supporting materials. Final submissions should include a team name, project title, problem statement, project description, demo video, GitHub repository link if available, and any additional resources.
Developer Resources
Students can clone the landing page repo and use it as a starting point, reference, or remix during the hackathon.
git clone https://github.com/keelan-openai/utahhack-site.git
FAQ
No. The official Utah page explicitly says the event is for everyone, non-technical and technical, including students, staff, faculty, and researchers.
Participants will use the university-provided ChatGPT Edu environment to access Codex and advanced reasoning models during the hackathon.
Selected teams will be invited to present their work in a short finalist showcase.
Yes. The official Utah page notes that more information may be added as it becomes available.