#United States #Boulder #AI Hackathon #Gloo #Christian Innovation

Gloo AI Hackathon: A Catalyst for Values-Aligned Innovations

The Gloo AI Hackathon, a premier event for technological innovation aligned with the values of faith, recently concluded its third iteration. Held from October 8 to 10, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, this year's hackathon brought together an impressive assembly of developers, gamers, content creators, and church leaders, all united under a mission to leverage AI for the flourishing of humanity and communities of faith.

Over the course of three days, nearly 700 participants formed 98 teams, both in-person and virtually, tackling the central challenge of creating technology that enhances the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of individuals. With the theme “AI that helps people flourish — spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and beyond,” participants were encouraged to think creatively about how technology could serve the Church and benefit society at large.

Inspiring Speakers

The event wasn't just about coding; it also included a strong educational component. Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders and visionaries across technology and theology. Notable speakers included Bobby Gruenewald, founder of YouVersion, and Carey Nieuwhof, a renowned leadership author and podcaster. Their sessions provided insights into the intersection of faith and technology, empowering participants to think beyond conventional applications of AI.

Challenges and Innovations

Participants engaged in several tracks, including developers, gaming, and vibe coding. Each track was designed to prompt innovative thinking about how technology can enable deeper connections within communities, enrich gaming experiences with faith-based content, and introduce new methods for engaging with Scripture.

Among the various submissions, team projects demonstrated a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Participants crafted tools that strengthen community ties, immersive gaming experiences, and engaging apps designed to facilitate users' connection with Biblical teachings. Each project was evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Scott Beck, co-founder of Gloo, and James Chung, CTO of YouVersion. The judges focused on the practicality of the solutions and their potential to inspire and uplift communities.

Award Winners

In total, $250,000 was awarded in cash prizes, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. The coveted Overall Grand Prize was awarded to Veritas, a transformative Bible app designed to provide users with clarity and confidence while navigating their spiritual journeys. Other award categories included:

• - Best of Hacking Track: Kommonwealth from kommon.ai
• - Best of Gaming Track: Cede from BareHand
• - Best of Vibe Coding Track: Flora from Biola University
• - Best Technology: Church Search Engine from Pastors AI
• - International Prize: Trellis from Trellis/Australia
• - Bible Translation Prize: Glossbot from Glossbot

This diverse array of winners demonstrates the innovative spirit that defined the event, showcasing the myriad ways technology can intersect with faith-based initiatives.

Future of AI in the Church

As Nick Skytland, vice president of Gloo Developers, stated, “There is a massive opportunity for the Church to shape the future of AI positively.” He emphasized that through collaboration within the faith community, these technologies have the potential to uplift and connect individuals across the globe.

The Gloo AI Hackathon not only recognized the contributions of participants but also laid the groundwork for future innovations in values-aligned technology. With the success of this year’s event, the potential to catalyze lasting change within communities of faith—and beyond—remains vast.

To explore more about the hackathon and its winners, visit Gloo.com/hackathon. Every innovation revealed at this event shone a light on how collaborative efforts can create impactful technologies for the greater good.