Festival of Early Stage Researchers Hackathon: Utilise AI to address real world problems

Overview

Would you like to work collaboratively with different researchers across the university? Are you interested in coming up with innovative ideas that will have a positive impact on the world?

Join us for this full-day hackathon, where you'll work collaboratively with fellow early stage researchers to use your knowledge and develop innovative solutions which implement AI to address real world problems.

At the end of the day, you’ll pitch your idea for a product or service to the rest of the group, with prizes awarded for the best pitches.

This hackathon has been organised by Organisational Development as part of the Festival of Early Stage Researchers 2024.

Who it’s for

This hackathon is open to UCL research students and research staff.

This is ‘no-code’ hackathon, you won’t be expected to do any coding. You also don't need any prior knowledge of AI, just enthusiasm and an interest in working with others to develop innovative solutions.

What you'll learn

Attending this hackathon will help you learn how to:

• identify a gap in the market
• develop an idea for a product or service
• utilise your research knowledge
• build the foundations of a business or social enterprise
• pitch your idea
• develop your entrepreneurial mindset

Programme

9am – Registration, welcome and opening talk with guest speaker Dr Carlo Ciliberto, Associate Professor in Machine Learning, Department of Computer Science
9:30am – Problem identification and solution ideation
10:30am – Business model canvasing and competitor analysis
11:30am – Branding and prototyping
12:30pm – Lunch and networking
1:30pm – Pitch preparation with DoxaAI and pitch practice
3:30pm – Pitches in front of panel of judges with feedback
4:30pm – Awards presentation
5pm – End of hackathon

About the tutor

Matthew Harris, Entrepreneurship Advisor at UCL Innovation & Enterprise, will be running the session. Matthew delivers the SPERO entrepreneurship training programme for doctoral students and early career researchers, and is co-lead of the UCL Diverse Founders’ Network (DFN).

Accessibility

If there is anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you, please let us know by emailing matt.harris@ucl.ac.uk

Photography

Filming and photography will take place at this event for promotional purposes. The photographs and recordings will appear on our website and social media channels. If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please let a member of staff know on arrival.

Date and times

Friday, 10 May 2024, 9am to 5pm

Book your place

Read our privacy notice to understand how UCL Innovation & Enterprise will deal with your personal data.

UCL Innovation & Enterprise reserves the right to make changes to the programme, location and/or speakers without prior notice. Such alterations are occasionally necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.