From newbie to co-organizer: Razan's journey in TAP's first AI hackathon

Razan Abusamra on the impact of the AI Hackathon at her organization!

AI Hackathon International Remote Traineeship with TAP AI Academy

In July 2024, Adwise Academy hosted the most innovative event of the year for TAP, the AI Hackathon. The Talent Acceleration Platform (TAP) has been working with Adwise Academy for quite some time. Together we are committed to supporting talented young people in conflict or underprivileged areas. TAP offers these students, through various educational programs, the chance for a promising start to their careers, helping them to reach their full potential.
Razan Abusamra (marketer at TAP) helped set up this hackathon for her organization.
In this blog post, Razan talks about her experience of the AI Hackathon and the impact it made in her organization.

Introduction

Just a few months ago, I was a complete novice in the field of artificial intelligence. Today, I am co-organizing TAP's first online AI hackathon - a journey that has been both challenging and stimulating. Together with my colleagues at TAP and with the support of Adwise, we have explored the transformative power of AI and learned important lessons that will shape our future efforts.

If I can dive into AI and organize a hackathon in just three months, so can you!

What is an AI hackathon and why should your organization get involved?

AI hackathons are crucial for innovation, creativity and collaboration. At TAP, our hackathon was not only about building AI solutions, but also about solving real problems we face every day, improving efficiency and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
The experience was a revelation, not only for the participants but also for me, as I saw up close the incredible potential of AI to transform our work processes.

One of the key findings of our hackathon was the importance of hands-on experience. As we delved into topics ranging from automated customer service bots to AI-driven data analysis, it became clear that AI is not a distant, abstract concept. It is here and ready to be integrated into every facet of our business.
The hackathon allowed us to explore these possibilities in a collaborative, supportive environment, making the learning process effective and enjoyable.

How did we improve efficiency? Key lessons learned from the AI Hackathon

One of the most important results of our AI hackathon was the marked improvement in our team's efficiency. For example, after one of our colleagues learned how to better use AI tools, he said, "I used to rebuild my GPTs every time using prompts and general instructions. Now I set them up once and for all. This has been incredibly helpful and has significantly increased my productivity lately."

This feeling came back across the board. By using AI, our team found new ways to streamline time-consuming and labor-intensive processes. Whether it was automating repetitive tasks or optimizing workflows, the AI Hackathon showed that AI can help us work harder and smarter. As a result, many of us reported working up to 25% more efficiently after the hackathon, a significant improvement that demonstrates the power of AI when applied correctly.

*TAP is based in both the Netherlands and the Middle East. Therefore, the AI Hackathon was organized for them online.

What did we learn? Key results and insights

The AI hackathon was not only about working more efficiently, but was also a profound learning experience. One of the key lessons was the realization that AI is not a replacement for human ability, but a tool that can enhance our capabilities. As one participant noted, "AI is very interesting and easy to set up, but don't expect things to work perfectly right away. It requires a lot of trial and error. "
This process of trial and error was crucial in helping us understand the nuances of AI and how best to apply it in our daily work .

Moreover, we learned that the potential of AI goes far beyond the obvious applications. "The power of AI to impact every department, not just Tech," was a recurring theme during the hackathon.
We explored the role of AI in everything from marketing to customer service, and the results were nothing short of inspiring. The hackathon helped us see AI as a versatile tool that can drive innovation, and opened up new possibilities we hadn't previously considered.

Why teamwork and support are important in AI projects

While the technical aspects of the hackathon were undoubtedly important, the event also emphasized the crucial role of teamwork and effective support. One participant wisely noted:
"How important it is to have a good facilitator who manages the group effort - without someone who is decisive and really knows how to keep the team focused, I don't think we would have finished in time."

This insight was especially relevant during our hackathon, where various teams worked together to solve complex problems within tight deadlines. The success of our projects depended not only on our technical skills, but also on our ability to work together effectively. Good guidance ensured that everyone's ideas were heard, tasks were shared equally and the team stayed focused on the end goal.

Conclusion: the future of AI at TAP

Looking back, it is incredible to see how much we accomplished in such a short time. The AI hackathon, supported by Adwise, was not just another event; it was a transformative experience that reshaped our understanding of what AI can do. We left with new skills and knowledge and a renewed sense of what is possible when you combine technology with creativity and collaboration.

As TAP continues to innovate and integrate AI into our workflows, the lessons we learned from this hackathon will be of great value. If you are hesitant to delve into AI, let my journey be a testament to what is possible. The AI landscape is vast and full of possibilities.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a curious beginner, there is a place for you in this exciting field. So why wait?

Start exploring AI today, and who knows, you might be hosting a hackathon sooner than you think!

Find out what the AI Hackathon can do for your organization!