Blog - App in a Day (Hackathon)
FSI & Microsoft host 2024 AI Hackathon

This is “Jeoeparrdy”! – well, sorta

No, it’s not a typo! “Jeoeparrdy – The Answer” is a fun twist on the classic game. Powered by Microsoft AI and Solutions, this game was programmed by participants at the 2024 AI Hackathon, hosted by Microsoft and FSi Strategies. This exciting event, held in early September, brought together students from George Mason University (GMU) and the Arlington Talent Program at Exelaration to the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Arlington, VA.

But what exactly is “Jeoeparrdy”?

“Jeoeparrdy” is an AI-based, Jeopardy style game where you tell the game the categories and it gives you the answers. The goal is to correctly guess the question for each answer. Made using cutting-edge Microsoft solutions and Copilot, this immersive experience showcased these innovative applications and provided a unique learning opportunity. It was a chance for students to expand their skills and work alongside industry professionals, inspiring them to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI.

Microsoft announced plans to display the winning solution at their Arlington Innovation Hub. The stakes were high, but the students weren’t alone. They had help from a dedicated team of mentors consisting of FSi’s John Firth, David Elkins, and Michael Lazich along with Microsoft’s John “Jay” Leask and Brendon Colburn. After an exclusive tour of the facilities, students were treated to a presentation about the basics of Generative AI including the different prompting methods that can yield different results. They were introduced to various Microsoft solutions, including the Power Program, the eventual base for their games, and Azure.

With the clock ticking, they utilized five powerful Microsoft components to bring their Jeoeparrdy games to life: Microsoft Copilot, Azure Open AI, Power Apps, and Power Automate. Through hands-on experience, they discovered how seamlessly these tools work together, enabling them to integrate services in real-time. This combination of cutting-edge technology allowed the teams to rapidly develop custom applications tailored to their vision. What made this process truly exciting was how they could embed advanced AI capabilities directly into their games, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with modern technology. It wasn’t just about building a game—it was about mastering the next generation of AI-driven innovation.

“It’s great to encourage people to try out new technology, most of our students have never used this platform before. In just two days they had not only built an app, but a workflow, and even interacted with generative AI. I am happy that we were able to introduce our students to the Power Platform and other core concepts such as low code.“ – John Firth

The winning presentation was from three students who came together and merged their projects. Their winning solutions consisted of a full app with a start page and a game board and had game tiles that would generate the “answer” appropriate for the category and point value.

The 2024 AI Hackathon was a huge success. The collaborative atmosphere, cutting-edge Microsoft tools, and the guidance of industry professionals from FSi and Microsoft made this event a true showcase of innovation. Looking ahead, the possibilities for similar partnerships and groundbreaking projects are endless, with events like these continuing to foster the next generation of tech leaders. This Hackathon was just the beginning for these students, and the innovations they created are a testimony to the power of collaboration and cutting-edge technology.

Are you ready to shape the future of AI innovation? Stay connected with FSi Strategies and Microsoft for more opportunities to collaborate, learn, and drive groundbreaking solutions. Together, we can lead the next wave of AI technology!