For the second consecutive year, Comcast Cable will be the title sponsor of Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics’ (CCI) Philly Codefest 2023 hackathon event (March 11 to 12).
Philly Codefest is a free software and hardware hackathon, presented by Drexel CCI, that encourages students and professionals from all experience levels and backgrounds to work together to develop innovative solutions to help solve real world challenges.
In its 10th year, Philly Codefest’s theme is "AI Everywhere." Participants will work to create real-world, scalable software and hardware solutions to improve and expand artificial intelligence’s (AI) positive societal impacts.
“AI has reached critical mass across all industries, but it is also largely unregulated,” says Yi Deng, PhD, Isaac L. Auerbach professor and dean of CCI. “That’s why for the second year in a row we’re partnering with Comcast Cable to present a Codefest event centered around developing AI solutions with a net-positive impact on society.”
The in-person event will host hundreds of software and hardware hackers working together in teams from March 11-12, and then presenting their projects at the Quorum (3675 Market St.) on the afternoon of March 12.
“Comcast is excited to sponsor Philly Codefest again this year, and we look forward to the incredible collaboration, innovation and rapport that it fosters across the developer community here in Philadelphia and beyond,” said Rick Rioboli, EVP & Chief Technology Officer, Comcast Cable.
Philly Codefest 2023 will also feature keynote speakers, sponsor booths, networking opportunities, and a “science fair” style presentation of competing projects, where teams will demo their creations to a panel of judges (comprised of Drexel faculty, sponsors and members of the Philadelphia tech community).
Prizes will be awarded in categories such as Best Student Hack, Best Collaborative Hack (teams comprised of both students and professionals), First-Year Student Challenge, Most Innovative Hack, and Best Hack for Social Good.
In addition, Comcast Cable will host a special, day-long event on March 7, known as “Comcast Day,” where Drexel CCI students can express interest and interview for a variety of positions. Local business leaders will be there to answer questions about a day in the life at Comcast.
More event details and registration information for Philly Codefest can be found on Drexel CCI’s Philly Codefest webpage.