Opening Talk Summary

Video

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Summary

This was the opening presentation for a hackathon at Edge City Lanna focused on building “Tools for Human Flourishing.” The core themes were decentralization, AI/ML, defi, social applications, and “deshitification” - giving users more privacy and agency over their data.

Various sponsors presented bounty tracks with prize pools totaling $60k. World (formerly Worldcoin) offered prizes for using their decentralized identity protocol WorldID or building apps using their World App. MetaMask had a delegation framework for frictionless crypto applications. Arbitrum highlighted their alternative smart contract language Stylus for compute-heavy apps. Flow wanted decentralized social apps for mainstream users. Uniswap and Eigenlayer offered prizes for novel defi apps and decentralized networks respectively.

The “deshitification” track, run by a residency program, emphasized building open-source, privacy-preserving tech that avoids extractive data practices. Examples included peer-to-peer networks and verification using third-party data signatures.

Key implementation details were shared on using sponsor tools, and the hackathon structure of judging criteria, submission process, and demo day was outlined. The focus was on delivering concrete, usable projects aligned with the core themes.

Key Takeaways

• Hackathon enabled open innovation across AI, crypto, privacy, decentralization, and social impact themes
• Sponsors provided cash prizes and platform resources to build novel apps/protocols
• Key tracks focused on decentralized identity, delegation, alternative smart contracts, consumer apps, defi, and ethical “deshitification”
• Emphasis on concrete technical prototypes that address real user needs and problems
• Combination of new tools (WorldID, Stylus, Eigenlayer) and existing platforms (Flow, World App, Uniswap) for implementation
• Scaling solutions for computation, privacy, and decentralized networks were prioritized
• “Deshitification” track pushed for open, privacy-preserving approaches avoiding extractive data practices
• Overall drive to accelerate innovation while centering ethics and human agency

Speakers

• Speaker A: Hackathon Organizer
• Role: Hosting and facilitating the event
• Expertise: Event logistics, hackathon structure
• Key contributions: Explaining tracks, prizes, judging, submission process
• Speaker B: Research Engineer at World Foundation
• Role: Presenting World/WorldID track
• Expertise: Decentralized identity, World protocol
• Key contributions: Explaining WorldID, MiniApps, bounty details
• Speaker C: MetaMask
• Role: Presenting MetaMask delegation framework track
• Expertise: Crypto UX, delegation
• Key contributions: Outlining delegation use cases, workshop details
• Speaker D: Matt from Arbitrum
• Role: Presenting Arbitrum Stylus track
• Expertise: Alternative smart contract languages
• Key contributions: Explaining Stylus capabilities, tracks, workshops
• Speaker E: Ali from Flow
• Role: Presenting Flow track
• Expertise: Consumer blockchain apps
• Key contributions: Describing Flow ecosystem, desired app types
• Speaker F: Isla from Uniswap
• Role: Presenting Uniswap Infinite Hackathon track
• Expertise: Decentralized finance
• Key contributions: Explaining Unichain, prize structure
• Speaker G: Matt from Eigenlayer
• Role: Presenting Eigenlayer Infinite Hackathon track
• Expertise: Decentralized networks, scaling Ethereum
• Key contributions: Outlining project scope, resources
• Speaker H: Alpha from Deshitification Residency
• Role: Presenting Deshitification Residency track
• Expertise: Privacy, ethical tech practices
• Key contributions: Framing deshitification philosophy, examples
• Speaker I: Colton (video)
• Role: Deshitification Residency participant
• Expertise: Creative messaging
• Key contributions: Impactful video on data extraction issues