Whether you're AI-curious, AI-cautious, or already experimenting with new tools, this interactive hackathon offers an accessible pathway from everyday AI use to creating practical solutions for teaching and learning. Participants will discover that building AI agents is more approachable than they might think, and that effective agents often emerge from collaboration rather than technical expertise.
Beginning with familiar, non-academic examples of how AI can simplify everyday tasks, the event gradually progresses toward educational applications. After a brief introduction to AI agents and a hands-on demonstration of how to build one, participants will form interdisciplinary teams to design and develop an agent that addresses a real teaching, research, or administrative challenge. Teams will be intentionally composed to bring together complementary strengths, including disciplinary expertise, pedagogy, instructional design, creativity, and technical knowledge. The event could be co-sponsored with the Game Lab and the Department of Computer Science to encourage cross-campus collaboration and innovation.
The hackathon concludes with lightning presentations, audience voting, and recognition of the most creative, impactful, and scalable projects. Participants will leave with a working prototype, practical AI development skills, new collaborators, and a deeper understanding of how AI can augment—not replace—the work of educators.