Washington Leadership Academy Hosts AI Hackathon

Washington Leadership Academy (WLA), a public charter secondary school in Washington D.C., hosted a "Hackathon" in early March where approximately 100 students engaged in a hands-on event focused on the practical applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The primary challenge presented to the students was to construct an AI-powered chatbot capable of addressing tangible, real-world needs and problems. This event aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation of AI technologies for the student body.

Despite many participants having no prior experience with Hackathons, the students demonstrated a foundational awareness of AI. Their descriptions of the technology ranged from "useful but controversial" and "powerful but prone to error" to a more nuanced critique from one junior who suggested "artificial intelligence" should be termed "artificial prediction" because its function is primarily to predict answers rather than to self-teach. This level of critical engagement highlights a developing understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations among the student population.

By the conclusion of the Hackathon, students had successfully developed a diverse array of chatbots. For instance, members of the school's student government association presented a bot designed to facilitate the communication of student concerns to the school's administration. Another notable project was a personal AI receptionist created by a senior student. This advanced bot was capable of managing emails, handling phone calls, and organizing calendars, with the student expressing aspirations to market this product to local businesses. These projects, though modest in scale, underscored the students' comprehension of AI and their ability to leverage it for beneficial purposes.

The AI literacy demonstrated at WLA's Hackathon stands in contrast to the broader educational landscape in the United States. Since the public introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022, educational institutions have faced increasing pressure to integrate or address AI. However, the provision of state and local policy guidance, alongside essential technical support for schools, has been notably slow. This lag has left many schools in a state of uncertainty regarding AI policies, with some still deliberating on whether to permit its use at all, while students like those at WLA are already actively engaging with and developing AI applications.