Factualize AI wins Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Connecticut’s Third District
Rep. Rosa DeLauro has named Sage Wong, an eleventh grader at Amity Regional High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Connecticut’s Third District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Factualize AI, the student said, “I once had a political debate with my friends about a certain politician. One of my friends claimed that the politician had said something very inappropriate and he had heard that off the internet. I did a Google search and I found out that the situation was a lot more complex. The politician was actually quoting somebody else while testifying in court. I was deeply affected by the fact that people could so easily get tricked by things they find on the internet. So that inspired me to create Factualize AI, a program which not only automatically fact checks claims, but also gives you an explanation so that you can know the context. ”
This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an unprecedented 382 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions—surpassing the previous high of 374. An incredible 12,682 students from across the country participated, representing a growth of over 1,000 students compared to 2023. These talented students submitted an astounding 3,881 original applications, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators. This surge in participation reflects the increasing excitement around STEM and highlights a bright future for American innovation.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival.
The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from the Broadcom Foundation, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2025, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.