By Mimi Pérez, Program Manager, i.c.stars Milwaukee
At i.c.stars |* Milwaukee*, we believe in meeting technology where it’s going, not where it’s been. That’s why Cycle 17 interns recently took on one of their most creative and forward-thinking challenges yet: designing and building their own AI chatbot in just a few weeks.
With guidance from Milwaukee tech leader and friend of i.c.stars, Nathan Lasnoski, our interns spent a month building something brand new: custom AI chatbots. Each intern was tasked with building a functional AI agent that could solve a problem, serve a community, or bring an idea to life. The result? An imaginative, technically ambitious, and deeply personal set of chatbot creations that left a lasting impression.
From “Etherith”, Carl’s blockchain-powered memory keeper, to Leo Phan’s custom task automation platform built on a vector database, the range of projects was stunning. Interns tackled everything from cybersecurity and financial wellness to gardening, fitness, and theme park navigation. Soraya Sanchez created an agent to analyze firewall logs. Jasmine Grice developed a Career Transition Assistant. Bryant Hudson introduced AffordaFitz, a personal stylist for budget-conscious shoppers.
We saw personality at play, too. Nadia Jackson built a Harry Potter house sorting bot, Maliya Delgado created an Oz-themed bot, and David Hernandez reimagined what a Green Bay Packers chatbot could do. Every single intern brought their own voice and vision into the work, and that’s what made it shine.
This challenge was about so much more than the tech. It stretched their thinking, sparked new passions, and gave each intern a reason to say, “I built that.” We’re proud of what they built and excited for where they’re headed.
