Architech’s AI Hackathon was focused on developing AI-powered solutions to address different challenges faced by those who suffer with Sleep Apnea. The was a 2-day event with over 80 participants across Canada working together in 8 teams with the goal of designing and building a viable solution. Dr. Simon Ho, an expert in sleep apnea came in to provide insight into the experience for doctors and patients and each team presented their solution to 4 judges.
In this interview we sat down with Tiwa Moyela, Senior Project Manager at Architech, as she unveils the secrets behind the success of our latest AI Hackathon.
With precision planning and adept organizational skills, she overcame numerous challenges to ensure a seamless event, sharing her experience and spotlighting the potential that collaborative workshops hold for technology teams.
Tiwa shared, “Hackathons, are not just events; they are catalysts for innovation, tapping into the creativity and collective intelligence of your team.” Tiwa's insights pave the way for creating similar events that align with your objectives, fostering enterprise-wide engagement and innovation.
{{ai-powered-solutions-banner-4="/attributes/blog-components"}}
And here's the exciting part: you don't have to navigate this journey alone. Architech hosts and organizes events like these, including our immersive and FREE AI Ideation Workshop, designed to help you discover AI use cases that meet your unique business needs, while crafting a comprehensive AI integration roadmap to help you develop a rapid proof of concept (POC).
Q&A with AI Hackathon Lead Tiwa Moyela
Q: How did you approach the planning and organization of this hackathon to ensure alignment with the objectives and the theme for sleep apnea?
Tiwa: Being a Senior Project Manager, I know that adopting a collaborative approach to ensure alignment with the team's objectives was key. We conducted thorough research and engaged key stakeholders to define the event's objectives and desired outcome. This laid a solid foundation for strategizing and planning the hackathon. We also facilitated brainstorming sessions to gather diverse perspectives and ideas that aligned with the sleep apnea theme. Regular communication channels were set up with stakeholders to maintain alignment throughout the planning process.
Q: How would you say Architech has been adopting AI tools and technologies throughout this hackathon?
Tiwa: It's been a good mix. Some teams are confident in their solutions, while others are still working towards their goals. We provided teams with the necessary tools and access ahead of the hackathon, including licenses and other resources. We supported teams by addressing their questions and ensuring they had what they needed to succeed.
Q: What logistical challenges did you anticipate and how did you address them to ensure a smooth and successful event?
Tiwa: We identified several challenges, or what I'd like to call risks, that could potentially impact the event's success. One challenge was the hybrid nature of the hackathon, with participants located both in-person and remotely. To accommodate this, we ensured a hybrid experience to cater to our remote-first company culture. Another challenge was creating well-balanced cross-functional teams to encourage collaboration. We wanted to ensure each team had a diverse range of skill sets to support innovative ideas. Additionally, we had to consider constraints such as budget and building engagement within a short timeline. We proactively addressed these risks by providing alternatives, maintaining open communication, and conducting check-ins with teams and key stakeholders.
Q: What would you say was one of the most challenging challenges that you faced thus far that you had to mitigate?
Tiwa: Building engagement was one of the most challenging aspects. Participants had valid concerns about timing and the desire to present their best solutions. Managing expectations and getting everyone fully involved and interested proved to be a significant challenge. We tackled this by fostering open communication, addressing concerns, and emphasizing the value of their contributions.
Q: What steps did you take to ensure that all teams had access to the necessary resources, tools, and support they needed throughout the hackathon?
Tiwa: Once we identified the problem and brainstormed solutions, we identified the necessary resources and did extensive research. We worked with the IT team to provide access to AI toolkits and relevant APIs. Additionally, we arranged for industry experts and mentors to support the teams. Their insights on sleep apnea and AI techniques proved invaluable. Personally, I relied on ChatGPT, an AI tool, to plan and execute the event effectively.
Q: What 3 tips would you give somebody in your situation who wants to plan a hackathon?
Tiwa: Firstly, rely on AI tools available in the market. Tools like ChatGPT can significantly increase efficiency and streamline the planning process. Secondly, manage your time effectively, as it is a critical component of project management. Finally, focus on building engagement from the beginning. Involve and interest participants early on to ensure a seamless change management process. These tips can contribute to the success of a hackathon.
Fuel Innovation with a FREE AI Ideation Workshop
To kickstart your own AI journey, join our FREE AI Ideation Workshop. With the guidance of our AI experts, you'll explore tailored use cases and ideate solutions that align with your unique business objectives. This workshop serves as a foundation to uncovering AI use cases tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, setting the stage for innovative growth, new revenue opoortunities and faster speed to market.
But why stop at ideation? Take your AI ambitions further with our Rapid POC (Proof of Concept) process. Collaborating closely with our team, we'll guide you in developing a working prototype of your AI-powered application to gain validation from the market. This hands-on experience will provide tangible insights, validate your ideas, and enable you to witness the impact of AI embedded into your enterprise applications.
Ready to begin your AI journey? Connect with our AI experts to get started today!
