PolicyPulse

Inspiration

We were inspired by the growing need for more accessible and engaging ways to understand environmental policies and their real-world consequences. Climate action often feels overwhelming or distant from personal experience, so we set out to build PolicyPulse, an interactive AI-powered with application that lets users experiment with policies and see the ripple effects of their choices. Our goal was to make climate education both visual and participatory — something that sparks curiosity and reflection.

What it does

PolicyPulse allows users to simulate environmental debates and policy decisions in real-time. Users input a policy idea or environmental issue, and two AI agents — trained to represent opposing viewpoints — begin debating its pros and cons. Once the debate concludes, the user votes on which side was more compelling or balanced, with feedback visuals that simulate projected environmental impact based on their choice.

How we built it

Frontend: Built with React + Vite for fast development and hot module reloading, styled using Tailwind CSS for a sleek and responsive UI that adapts across devices.

AI & Voice: We used Google Gemini to generate dynamic debate scripts in response to user prompts, simulating intelligent back-and-forth arguments. These scripts were then passed to Vapi, which powered the natural-sounding voice output for each AI agent — creating an immersive and conversational experience.

State Management & UI Interactions: We designed a flexible component system using UI and modular layout components for the debate arena and policy simulator.

Design: We developed a visual identity with a black background and a bold orange and purple color palette, creating a sleek, high-contrast look that felt both modern and engaging. For the voting interaction, we kept it intuitive and direct using green for “yes” and red for “no”. The layout focused on clear information hierarchy, smooth spacing, and responsive components that supported both usability and aesthetic cohesion.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was getting all the frameworks and tools to work smoothly — from configuring Vite and Tailwind to integrating Vapi and managing API calls. We also spent time refining our prompts with Gemini to generate consistent, balanced debates. Syncing the AI responses with Vapi’s voice output and coordinating the UI flow added extra complexity.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Successfully implemented an end-to-end debate simulator where users could input a prompt, listen to AI agents respond, and then vote on the outcome.

Created a polished, responsive, and theme-consistent front-end UI under a tight deadline.

Designed voting interactivity that visually responds to user decisions with hover states and emotional cues.

Achieved real-time voice conversation through Vapi, adding immersion and accessibility.

What we learned

We learned how to bring together multiple AI tools and front-end technologies to create a seamless, interactive experience. Working with Google Gemini taught us the importance of precise prompt engineering, while Vapi showed us how voice AI can enhance immersion when integrated thoughtfully. We also gained hands-on experience with building responsive UIs quickly using React, Vite, and Tailwind CSS, while improving our collaboration and problem-solving under time pressure.

What's next for PolicyPulse

We’re excited to expand PolicyPulse beyond just AI debates and move toward action-oriented civic engagement. Future plans include:

Agent Advocacy Capabilities: Instead of just debating, AI agents will be able to advocate for specific policy positions, offering resources, links, and deeper explanations to help users understand the real-world impact of their stance.

Personalized Action Items: Based on the user’s choice or values, PolicyPulse will recommend tangible next steps — such as petitions, educational materials, or local initiatives — turning awareness into action.

Mobile Experience: Optimize the platform for mobile to make civic learning and engagement more accessible.

Ultimately, we envision PolicyPulse as a tool that not only informs but empowers users to engage with policy in meaningful, real-world ways.

Built With

• fastapi
• gemini
• python
• react
• typescript
• vapa