Last October, Johns Hopkins University hosted its first AI Policy Hackathon in partnership with us at Apart Research, bringing together technologists, policy enthusiasts, and students. Here's what participants and organizers had to say about bridging the gap between technology and policy.

"It's been a wonderful journey... spending a fruitful weekend in DC," shares Abe, one of the student organizers, capturing the excitement of bringing together tech enthusiasts and policy minds under one roof. From VR demonstrations to engaging workshops, the event pulsed with innovation.

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The Power of Organic Collaboration

What happens when you put policy experts and technologists in one room? Magic, according to Said, a participant who witnessed something remarkable: "What really caught me off guard was how naturally everyone stepped into exactly the roles we needed, with almost no formal direction. It felt organic."

This natural alignment wasn't just luck. The hackathon's hybrid format allowed participants from Colombia, the UK, US, and Poland to collaborate seamlessly, bringing diverse perspectives to thorny AI governance challenges. For some teams, like Said's, the hackathon was just the beginning—they're now working with the Dominican Republic's government on AI policy development.

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Breaking the Hackathon Mould

Traditional hackathons conjure images of energy drinks and frantic coding sessions. But this was different. As another participant, Shaun put it: "I have always believed that AI and technology are ultimately as much social challenges as they are technical ones, and this experience truly brought that belief to life."

Think less about racing to build a prototype, and more about crafting frameworks that could shape how AI integrates into society. Teams grappled with questions that went beyond functionality: How would these policies affect different communities? What are the long-term implications? How do we balance innovation with responsibility?

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Behind the Scenes: From Organizers at JHU

Nathan, a freshman organizer, shares his journey: "Coordinating with OpenAI and Microsoft for sponsorships... having the opportunity to work with industry experts is an experience that I won't forget." His story shows how organizing such events can open doors to industry connections even before graduation.

This wasn't just another line on a resume—it was a crash course in bringing together industry leaders, academics, and policy makers for a common cause.

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‍Why This Matters

The success of JHU's hackathon points to something bigger: the growing need for spaces where technical innovation and policy thinking can collide productively. In a world where AI capabilities are advancing daily, we need more events that bridge this gap.

As Abe shared while reminiscing about the VR demos and workshop discussions: "We pulled up months of efforts and made many friends along the way." And isn't that what it's all about? Building connections, bridging divides, and working together to shape the future of AI governance.

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Looking Forward

The ripples from this hackathon continue to spread. Teams are implementing their solutions in real-world contexts, and participants are taking their learnings back to their universities and organizations. As the field of AI policy continues to evolve, events like these become increasingly crucial in shaping thoughtful, effective governance framework.‍

Want to be part of the next chapter? Reach out to us

‍After all, as this hackathon showed, sometimes the most innovative solutions come from the most unexpected collaborations. Sign up here for our next AI Safety Entrepreneurship Hackathon.