Will Fullerton, 23
Will Fullerton: From Skeptic to Community Builder, Using AI for Real-World Good
Will Fullerton spent the early part of his academic journey actively steering clear of traditional technology. He had a strong love of mathematics, but didn't want a pure math degree - so he chose the Statistics and Data Science track at Robert Morris University (RMU). Having dabbled in coding during high school without much success, he viewed programming as a tedious classroom exercise, until hackathons completely shifted his perspective. In February 2025, Will took a leap of faith and entered his very first hackathon, Hacking4Humanity at Duquesne University. No team, no prior hackathon experience - he jumped into the event's Discord server to find a teammate, taking a bold step into unfamiliar territory.
That initial leap immediately paid off. With his team, Will helped build The Inquisitor, an AI deepfake detector model engineered with near-perfect accuracy. To the team's absolute delight, the project earned an honorable mention. The fast-paced, hands-on environment revealed a practical style of learning that clicked far better than standard classroom assignments. “This was the first time I was able to see how these skills could be used and leveraged to create and build something meaningful,” Will reflects. He was officially hooked.
With one of his teammates from the first hackathon, they set out to conquer their next - embarking on an impressive streak where they won awards at every single competition they entered together. At SteelHacks XII - Will’s first major encounter with Major League Hacking (MLH) - they took third place in the Predicting the Unpredictable track with Rooted Reflections, an AI-powered mental health journaling app designed to lower user anxiety. Building tools that delivered tangible human benefits completely reshaped Will's perspective. Once an AI skeptic, seeing these real-world impacts transformed him into a passionate optimist.
Determined to bring that same transformative energy back to his campus, Will founded, hosted, and led the organization of RMU’s inaugural AI in Action Hackathon (AIAH). Working closely with faculty, he brought together local small businesses and major regional universities to leverage artificial intelligence in support of the local economy. The result was a massive community victory and a tangible, real-world win: two student projects transitioned directly into real-world implementations at their respective small businesses, establishing AIAH as a permanent flagship tradition at RMU. A lasting legacy to be proud of.
Following his graduation (Magna Cum Laude) in December 2025, Will continues to pay it forward. He has retired from competing in hackathons, but returned to Hacking4Humanity as a volunteer organizer, Discord moderator, and mentor.
Beyond his technical achievements, Will brings an insatiable curiosity and unique versatility to everything he pursues. He is an avid reader with a passion for philosophy. He believes that the truth is out there - aliens are real. His passion for building also continues through projects like Mindful Minute, an AI mental health app originating from his hackathon work. Yet no matter where his intellectual pursuits lead, he consistently finds his way back to supporting fellow builders. For Will, the true magic of the hacker space lies in lifting others up as they grow. "After having the opportunity to mentor," Will shares, "I have found that the only feeling more rewarding at a hackathon is helping others in the community win."
Quick Facts
Will Fullerton, 23
Will Fullerton: From Skeptic to Community Builder, Using AI for Real-World Good
Will Fullerton spent the early part of his academic journey actively steering clear of traditional technology. He had a strong love of mathematics, but didn't want a pure math degree - so he chose the Statistics and Data Science track at Robert Morris University (RMU). Having dabbled in coding during high school without much success, he viewed programming as a tedious classroom exercise, until hackathons completely shifted his perspective. In February 2025, Will took a leap of faith and entered his very first hackathon, Hacking4Humanity at Duquesne University. No team, no prior hackathon experience - he jumped into the event's Discord server to find a teammate, taking a bold step into unfamiliar territory.
That initial leap immediately paid off. With his team, Will helped build The Inquisitor, an AI deepfake detector model engineered with near-perfect accuracy. To the team's absolute delight, the project earned an honorable mention. The fast-paced, hands-on environment revealed a practical style of learning that clicked far better than standard classroom assignments. “This was the first time I was able to see how these skills could be used and leveraged to create and build something meaningful,” Will reflects. He was officially hooked.
With one of his teammates from the first hackathon, they set out to conquer their next - embarking on an impressive streak where they won awards at every single competition they entered together. At SteelHacks XII - Will’s first major encounter with Major League Hacking (MLH) - they took third place in the Predicting the Unpredictable track with Rooted Reflections, an AI-powered mental health journaling app designed to lower user anxiety. Building tools that delivered tangible human benefits completely reshaped Will's perspective. Once an AI skeptic, seeing these real-world impacts transformed him into a passionate optimist.
Determined to bring that same transformative energy back to his campus, Will founded, hosted, and led the organization of RMU’s inaugural AI in Action Hackathon (AIAH). Working closely with faculty, he brought together local small businesses and major regional universities to leverage artificial intelligence in support of the local economy. The result was a massive community victory and a tangible, real-world win: two student projects transitioned directly into real-world implementations at their respective small businesses, establishing AIAH as a permanent flagship tradition at RMU. A lasting legacy to be proud of.
Following his graduation (Magna Cum Laude) in December 2025, Will continues to pay it forward. He has retired from competing in hackathons, but returned to Hacking4Humanity as a volunteer organizer, Discord moderator, and mentor.
Beyond his technical achievements, Will brings an insatiable curiosity and unique versatility to everything he pursues. He is an avid reader with a passion for philosophy. He believes that the truth is out there - aliens are real. His passion for building also continues through projects like Mindful Minute, an AI mental health app originating from his hackathon work. Yet no matter where his intellectual pursuits lead, he consistently finds his way back to supporting fellow builders. For Will, the true magic of the hacker space lies in lifting others up as they grow. "After having the opportunity to mentor," Will shares, "I have found that the only feeling more rewarding at a hackathon is helping others in the community win."
