Communications

Communications

Description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications have been around for some time, but have only become widespread and commonplace over the past few years. While some of these applications are incredibly powerful, smaller and quirkier niche applications have also appeared and grown in popularity. For this challenge, we’re going to ask you to “sell” one of these applications to your peers, using a technique that is a throwback to past generations. 

Most of you are too young to remember, but in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, charismatic pitchmen hocking cheap, niche products dominated commercials across the country. From Billy Mays, to Anthony Sullivan, to the ShamWow Guy, commercials would often turn into advertisements for products that you never knew you needed. While the “pitchman” style of commercial has fallen out of favor, many still point to these as effective ways of quickly and persuasively communicating the utility of a product. For this challenge, you and your team will be assuming the role of one of these pitch people, trying to “sell” people on an AI application that may or may not be something people need. For the video, you’ll choose an AI application you’re trying to sell, go around to your teammates and others before and at the conference, and try to “sell” your product via a 3-4 minute video. 

• Each media production team will consist of three to six TEECA students from an affiliated university.

• Teams must have a minimum of three team members registered/present at the conference, and the team may consist of three additional members who do not attend the conference.

• The members may be either full-time undergraduate or graduate students, with no more than half of the members being graduate students.

Coordinator

 Professor Mike Ulderich, with Pennsylvania Western University

Professor Melissa Zrada, with The College of New Jersey

Guidelines

Communications ⚙️ 2025 TEECA East Challenge