• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, May 15, 2024

"Back to the Future" legend Christopher Loyd announced a Google AI app contest looking for the most creative apps powered by the Gemini API.

The ad shows Loyd coding in front of a computer screen. “You may recognize me from my action work, but my real passion is programming,” he said. “When I’m in the zone, I’m unstoppable.”

Google said anyone who can build an app that integrated the Gemini API can enter the contest.

The top prize is a custom electric refurbished 1981 DeLorean. The company said it will give away $1 million in cash prizes.

“I don’t know if you know this about me, but I’m really excited about the future, and Google’s Gemini models are tech that can get us there,” Lloyd said.

One app submission is eligible to win in multiple categories including Innovation and Technology.

The grand prize is a separate category, along with the People's Choice award.

Within the Innovation category there are three subcategories: Most impactful app for a cash prize of $300,000; most useful app for a cash prize of $200,000; and most creative app for a cash prize of $200,000.

Within the Technology category there are six subcategories. All have a cash prize of $50,000.

The subcategories include Best flutter app, Best Android app, Best web app, Best use of ARCore, Best use of Firebase, and Best game app.

The most voted app will win the People’s Choice Award.

Google welcomes anyone to join the competition by building an app that integrates with the Gemini API, creating a demo video about the app, and publishing and submitting it to the competition.

Loyd said the competition is so cool it will "blow your mind back to beta."