FAQ
General Questions
What is this hackathon about?
We’ve built a living digital ant colony — 101 software agents that coordinate through pheromone signals, just like real ants. No central controller. No master plan. Intelligence emerges from simple rules.
This hackathon brings together researchers from every discipline to study, extend, and apply this system.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Many tracks don’t require coding:
- Theory Track: Mathematical proofs and analysis
- Research Track: Data analysis (we provide notebooks)
- Philosophy Track: Essays and frameworks
- Bio-Inspired Track: Biological validation
Even the Application Track welcomes non-coders who can design, analyze, or document.
Do I need to know about ants?
No. We’ll teach you everything in the first 2 hours. Read PLAIN_ENGLISH.md for a head start.
What makes this different from other hackathons?
- It’s alive — The colony runs continuously. You work with a living system.
- It’s interdisciplinary — Teams must include 2+ disciplines.
- It’s research — Publication-quality work, not just demos.
- It’s weird — Philosophers and biologists and kids all contributing.
Registration
How do I register?
Go to Registration and fill out the form. Takes 5 minutes.
Can I register without a team?
Yes! Select “Individual” and we’ll match you with a team at the opening mixer. Many great collaborations start this way.
How big can my team be?
2-5 people. Must include at least 2 different disciplines.
Can I be on multiple teams?
No. One team per person. But you can help other teams informally.
Is there a registration fee?
Free for students, faculty, and government. $50 for industry participants (waived for first 100).
Can I register as an observer?
Yes. Observers get full access but don’t submit deliverables. Great for sponsors, media, and government officials evaluating the project.
Teams & Collaboration
Why must teams be cross-disciplinary?
Because that’s where emergence happens. A pure CS team will build something clever. A CS + Biology + Philosophy team might discover something profound.
How do I find team members?
- Before the event: Post in our Telegram group, reach out to other departments
- At the event: Opening mixer specifically designed for team formation
- During the event: Teams can add members for first 6 hours
Can my whole lab/class register as one team?
Only if you include at least one person from outside your discipline. We take this seriously.
What if my team member drops out?
Teams can add replacements during the first 6 hours. After that, continue with reduced size.
Tracks & Challenges
How do I choose a track?
Pick based on what excites you:
- Love proofs? → Theory
- Love building? → Application
- Love data? → Research
- Love biology? → Bio-Inspired
- Love deep questions? → Philosophy
Can I switch tracks?
Yes, within the first 12 hours. After that, commit.
Can I work on multiple challenges?
Within your track, yes. Across tracks, no (you only submit to one).
What if my idea doesn’t fit any track?
Talk to the organizers. If it’s good, we’ll make it work.
Technical Questions
What technology stack is used?
- Database: TypeDB Cloud (graph database)
- Language: Python 3.11+
- Agents: Fetch.ai Agentverse
- Analytics: pandas, numpy, matplotlib
- Blockchain: Sui Network (optional)
Do I need to install anything?
We provide cloud environments. Bring a laptop with a browser. That’s it.
Can I use my own tools?
Yes. Use whatever you want. We provide TypeDB access and Python notebooks, but you’re free to use R, Julia, MATLAB, or anything else.
Is the code open source?
Yes. MIT license. Fork it, extend it, publish with it.
How do I access the colony data?
- TypeDB queries — Direct database access
- Python notebooks — Pre-loaded with data
- API endpoints — REST access to metrics
- Real-time feeds — WebSocket for live data
What data is available?
- Pheromone levels on all edges (10,000+ snapshots)
- Agent trajectories (1M+ events)
- Colony metrics (continuous)
- Graph structure (35 entities, 17 relations)
During the Hackathon
What’s the schedule?
| Day | Activities |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Opening, workshops, team formation, first hacking |
| Day 2 | Deep work, mentorship, cross-pollination |
| Day 3 | Final push, presentations, awards |
Full schedule: Schedule
Can I work remotely?
The opening and closing are in-person. Middle portion can be hybrid, but in-person teams historically perform better.
Is there overnight hacking?
The venue stays open 24 hours. Sleep is optional but recommended.
What about food?
All meals provided. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options available. Mark dietary requirements in registration.
Will there be WiFi?
Yes. Enterprise-grade, tested for 500+ simultaneous connections.
Submissions & Judging
What do I submit?
Depends on your track:
- Theory: PDF with proofs
- Application: GitHub repo + demo
- Research: Notebook + findings report
- Bio-Inspired: Validation document + recommendations
- Philosophy: Essay or framework document
When is the deadline?
Day 3, 12:00 PM local time. Hard deadline.
Who judges?
- Faculty from relevant disciplines
- Industry experts
- The organizers (Tony & Robin)
- Guest judges from partner institutions
What are the judging criteria?
Each track has specific criteria. Generally:
- Rigor: Is it sound?
- Insight: Is it new?
- Impact: Does it matter?
- Clarity: Can we understand it?
See individual track pages for weights.
Prizes
What can I win?
| Track | Prize |
|---|---|
| Theory | $5,000 + publication support |
| Application | $5,000 + integration into main system |
| Research | $5,000 + co-authorship |
| Bio-Inspired | $2,500 + lab collaboration |
| Philosophy | $5,000 + journal submission support |
Plus: Best Cross-Disciplinary ($2,500), Best Visualization ($1,500), People’s Choice ($1,000)
Full details: Prizes
Is there prize money for everyone?
Only track winners receive cash. But everyone gets:
- Portfolio piece
- Network connections
- Publication opportunities
- Bragging rights
For Specific Groups
For Students
Q: Can undergraduates participate? A: Yes! Some of the best insights come from fresh perspectives.
Q: Can this count for course credit? A: Talk to your professor. We provide documentation of participation.
Q: Can I use this for my thesis? A: Absolutely. We’ll help with data access and co-authorship.
For Faculty
Q: Can I bring my whole class? A: Yes, but split them across teams with other disciplines.
Q: Can I mentor without competing? A: Yes, register as a Mentor.
Q: Is there funding for student travel? A: Limited scholarships available. Contact us.
For Schools (K-12)
Q: What age is appropriate? A: 10+ with adult supervision. Younger kids can observe.
Q: Are there kid-friendly activities? A: Yes. Special workshops on Day 1 afternoon.
Q: Do teachers need to stay? A: Yes. Minimum 1 adult per 5 children.
For Government
Q: Can we observe without committing? A: Yes. Register as Observer.
Q: Is there a separate briefing? A: Yes. Contact us for government delegation briefing.
Q: What are the implications for smart city projects? A: Significant. This is decentralized intelligence in action.
For Media
Q: Can we film? A: Yes. Register as Media team.
Q: Do we need permission for interviews? A: General event footage: no. Individual interviews: get consent.
Q: Will there be a press briefing? A: Yes, Day 1 morning and Day 3 afternoon.
Logistics
Where is the venue?
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand [Exact building TBD]
How do I get there?
From Airport: BTS to Siam, then walk or taxi By Car: Parking available International: We recommend staying in Siam Square area
Where should I stay?
Many options within walking distance:
- Budget: Hostels in Siam area (~$15/night)
- Mid-range: Hotels near MBK (~$50/night)
- Upscale: Siam Paragon area (~$100+/night)
Is there a dress code?
Casual. Wear what’s comfortable for 48 hours of thinking.
What should I bring?
- Laptop (charged)
- Phone charger
- Notebook (physical or digital)
- Change of clothes if staying overnight
- Enthusiasm
Code of Conduct
What behavior is expected?
- Respect all participants regardless of background
- Collaborate openly
- Attribute contributions fairly
- No harassment, discrimination, or intimidation
- Share credit generously
What happens if someone violates the code?
First offense: Warning Second offense: Removal from event Serious violations: Immediate removal
How do I report a problem?
Find any organizer or email [email protected]. We take all reports seriously.
Still Have Questions?
Email: [email protected] Telegram: @AntsAtWorkHackathon Twitter: @AntsAtWork
If an ant can figure it out without asking, so can you. But we’re happy to help anyway.