#4 GrandConnect

Inspiration

Our inspiration came from our brainstorming session thinking about the relationships we have with others. We all found societal neglect to be a large issue we wanted to tackle.

What it does

GrandConnect is an app that facilitates intergenerational conversations between young people and their elderly loved ones. Our app uses advanced AI technology, combined with an asynchronous text messaging interface powered by Twilio, to make it easier for users to connect with their grandparents in a consistent, flexible and personalized manner. We also utilize the blockchain to create permanent memories from these conversations to be shared as NFTs among family and friends.

How we built it

We designed a website using the T3 stack that takes in key info about your grandparents as input. The user-provided input is then added to our own algorithms and introduced to an AI large language model [GPT-3] that helps us provide output in the form of personalized questions. This data is then integrated into Twilio, which allows us to use a text messaging interface to send these questions out to the user within a customized time frame. We used the Hugging Face language models to provide translation services through Google Cloud. Finally, memories of these conversations are stored on the blockchain using Verbwire.

Challenges we ran into

The project was a challenging one, with many obstacles to overcome. One of the most difficult aspects was setting up the T-3 stack, we had initial issues with setting up our working environment and deploying onto Vercel with Next.js due to confirgurations issues. Additionally, producing the code-only webpage was a major challenge, as we wanted to make sure that our website was visually appealing and easy to use for our customers.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are extremely proud of how personalized our recommendations are, and how they are driven by real sociological factors that have the potential to positively affect our users. Our use of GPT-3 to generate personalized question prompts is a major accomplishment, and we are also proud of our text messaging interface, which allows for easier, more consistent, and more flexible conversations between our users and their grandparents.

What we learned

Throughout the project, we learned extensively about front-end design and development, especially in regards to Twilio and GPT-3. In addition to the technical skills we acquired, we also learned about the importance of design thinking, and the value of working as a team to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. By understanding each team member's strengths and needs, we were able to adjust our approach and create a product that truly reflects the needs of our users.

What's next for GrandConnect

Our goal for the future is to continue to expand and improve upon the features and functionality of GrandConnect. We would like to fully integrate the translate feature and add functionality for other hobbies, allowing our users to continue to deepen their relationships with their grandparents in new and meaningful ways. Additionally, we hope to expand our reach to help more families maintain strong connections across generations.

Built With

• javascript
• openai
• t3media
• twilio
• verbwire