Best Ways to Using AI Hackathons to Drive AI Adoption in Your Company

AI hackathons are a quick and effective way to turn AI ideas into practical solutions. In just hours, employees can build tools that solve real business problems, like automating workflows or generating insights. Unlike long training programs, hackathons deliver immediate results and boost confidence in using AI.

Key Benefits:

Quick Results: Teams create working AI solutions in hours, not months.
Cross-Department Collaboration: Breaks silos, bringing fresh ideas from diverse teams.
Low Barriers: Tools like Latenode make AI accessible, even for non-technical staff.
Real Outcomes: Prototypes often evolve into business-ready tools.

Example Success: A single-day hackathon produced tools like AI-powered call transcript analyzers and brand-specific mockups, deployed the same day. Platforms like Latenode simplify this, enabling teams to prototype and integrate AI with minimal coding.

AI hackathons are the perfect way to make AI practical, engaging, and impactful across your organization.

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How AI Hackathons Drive AI Adoption

AI hackathons excel at turning abstract concepts into practical applications, offering employees hands-on experiences they can directly apply to their work. Unlike traditional training programs, these events encourage active participation and immediate problem-solving.

Team Problem-Solving Across Departments

One standout feature of AI hackathons is their ability to foster collaboration across departments. By bringing together employees from diverse areas of an organization under tight deadlines, hackathons encourage the exchange of ideas and perspectives that rarely surface during everyday meetings.

"Hackathons unite individuals with diverse talents and perspectives, creating an environment where innovation flourishes", notes Rochelle Sonnenberg from Microsoft [4].

This collaborative energy often shifts how employees perceive AI’s potential, sparking new ideas and opportunities across the organization.

Take the example of the University of Michigan, where AI Cohorts united staff from IT, student services, and administrative departments to solve real operational challenges. The result? Three practical solutions still in use today: a Chat Summarizer for handling student inquiries, a Ticket Triager for IT support, and a KBA Generator [3].

The time constraints of hackathons push teams to focus on essential functionality, encouraging participants to step outside their usual roles. This dynamic not only leads to rapid prototyping but also strengthens communication across departments. These shared experiences often leave lasting improvements in how teams work together.

Quick Prototyping with Tools Like Latenode

Hackathons often lower the technical barriers that can discourage experimentation with AI. Accessible tools like Latenode empower participants to create functional AI solutions without needing deep coding expertise, opening the door for employees of all skill levels to contribute.

"Rapid prototyping builds iterative prototypes that quickly validate ideas", says Florian Tieben [5].

This rapid approach is crucial in hackathon settings, where teams must deliver working solutions within a limited timeframe.

Latenode’s visual workflow builder offers a user-friendly way to connect over 300 apps and services while seamlessly integrating AI capabilities. For example, a sales team could quickly prototype an AI-powered lead scoring system by linking CRM data to AI analysis tools, automating updates to prospect records - all without writing complex code.

Teams often start with a simple prototype and build on it. A customer service team might initially automate ticket categorization, then later integrate sentiment analysis and automated response suggestions. The simplicity of tools like Latenode also accelerates refinement during hackathons. In one JIT Cafe session, a participant shared how using AI to generate database solutions and automation scripts significantly cut development time, highlighting the power of rapid iteration.

Latenode’s combination of ease of use and technical depth ensures that both non-technical employees and experienced developers can contribute meaningfully. This accessibility inspires more employees to explore AI, driving broader interest across the organization.

Building Company-Wide AI Interest

Effective hackathons don’t just create isolated solutions - they spark company-wide enthusiasm for AI. When employees see their colleagues building functional AI tools in just a few hours, the technology becomes less intimidating and more practical. These real-world applications show how AI can address specific business challenges.

For instance, one company reported that 72% of its HR team participated in a hackathon spanning five countries, with full involvement from department leadership [6]. Such widespread participation signals that AI isn’t just a passing trend but a core priority for the organization.

The gamified nature of hackathons also encourages employees to explore and master new tools. Over time, these events help cultivate a mindset where AI is seen as a practical solution for everyday problems, embedding innovation into the company culture. By breaking down technical and departmental barriers, hackathons lay the foundation for sustained AI integration across the organization.

Business Benefits of Internal AI Hackathons

Hackathons have become a driving force for innovation, with over 80% of Fortune 100 companies incorporating them into their strategies. More than half of these businesses host hackathons regularly, underscoring the value they bring across industries and organizations of all sizes [7].

Bridging Departments for Collaborative Solutions

Internal AI hackathons break down departmental barriers, encouraging collaboration that often leads to groundbreaking solutions. By bringing together teams from different areas and challenging them to solve problems under tight deadlines, organizations can uncover ideas that traditional workflows might overlook.

Take Finastra, a global fintech company, as an example. Their hackathons have directly influenced their product roadmap.

"We had about seven or eight projects make it directly to roadmap in our last hackathon. That was a really great achievement", shared Chirine Ben Zaied, Head of Innovation at Finastra [2].

These results highlight how hackathons can lead to practical, business-oriented outcomes.

Toyota has also embraced this approach, showcasing how hackathons can fuel innovation across departments.

"Toyota was able to announce a new feature in one of our vehicles that was the winner of our first-ever hackathon. Hackathons are something where you can tangibly see that your work produces an end result", explained Trey Spyropoulos, Manager of Communications and Organizational Effectiveness at Toyota [2].

Christopher Aidan, VP of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at Estée Lauder, captures the essence of cross-functional collaboration:

"Hackathons create these unique situations because everyone has their body of knowledge, but when you start crossing the different organizational lines, you see that there's a lot more commonality and a lot more opportunity when ideas come together" [2].

For instance, a combined effort between sales, marketing, and IT teams could use Latenode’s visual workflow tools to quickly prototype an AI-driven lead scoring system. By integrating CRM data and automating personalized outreach, such collaborations can deliver immediate value.

Uncovering Talent and Energizing Teams

Hackathons are not just about generating ideas - they also reveal hidden talent within an organization. Employees who may not typically showcase their technical abilities often shine in these settings, surprising leadership with their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Motorola Solutions exemplifies this inclusive approach to talent discovery.

"We made sure that everybody had a chance to be a part of it, regardless of what their job or skillset was", said Janet Carmody, Head of Culture at Motorola Solutions [2].

Their hackathon engaged 11,000 employees in various roles, proving that innovation isn't limited to technical teams. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and boosts morale. A Pluralsight study even found that hackathons reduce skill-related anxiety and increase workplace connection among participants [1].

JLL Technologies uses hackathons as a platform for skill development.

"Hackathons are a way of learning new skills - last year's hackathon was all focused on GenAI", noted Tony Hernandez from JLL Technologies [2].

By transforming learning into an active and engaging experience, hackathons make skill-building enjoyable and impactful. This is particularly important in a rapidly evolving work environment. With the World Economic Forum predicting that "the skills needed for work are expected to change by 70% by 2030" [1], hackathons offer a dynamic way to prepare teams for future challenges while keeping them engaged and motivated.

Experimenting with AI in a Low-Risk Environment

One of the most valuable aspects of hackathons is the ability to test AI solutions without the financial and operational risks typically associated with new technology. These events create a safe space for experimentation, where teams can explore innovative ideas without fear of failure.

"Hackathons are critical for experimentation because you're able to set up guardrails and do things that you can't otherwise do in your core work", explained Neta Retter, Director of Innovation Programs at Okta [2].

The time-limited format of hackathons also accelerates the development process. While traditional training programs may take months to yield results, hackathons empower participants to transition from passive learners to active creators in just a few hours [1].

SAP provides an excellent example of how quickly hackathon ideas can become reality.

"We saw prototypes being implemented to production just a few weeks after the hackathon", reported Nico Wyss, Solutions Advisor at SAP [2].

This rapid progress is possible because hackathons encourage teams to focus on core functionality and immediate value. Tools like Latenode can further streamline this process by enabling teams to prototype AI workflows using anonymized or simulated data. This approach ensures that solutions are tested without exposing sensitive information or requiring upfront investments in enterprise software.

Motorola Solutions has institutionalized this low-risk experimentation model.

"We have a 'Hack-on' space in Devpost where teams can continue their projects with oversight from our senior leadership and get further resources. Some things go right into the patent process and some things need a little more work, but we've been touching on all of them", explained Janet Carmody [2].

Methods to Get Employees Involved in AI Hackathons

Getting employees excited and involved in AI hackathons hinges on effective communication, thorough preparation, and a clear plan for turning ideas into actionable results. These steps help teams engage fully and deliver meaningful innovations during the event.

Clear Communication and Business Problem Focus

Participation grows when hackathon challenges address real workplace issues employees encounter daily. Instead of centering on abstract AI concepts, successful hackathons align their goals with specific business needs. For instance, during one internal AI hackathon, organizers targeted gaps in the go-to-market funnel. By leveraging AI tools, participants developed automation solutions to improve lead quality and boost conversion rates [10].

Framing challenges around practical outcomes - like saving time, cutting costs, or increasing revenue [10] - makes it easier for employees to see the value of their efforts. Highlighting that no coding experience is required, and showcasing platforms like Latenode, which enable custom AI solutions through visual workflows, can break down technical barriers and encourage broader participation.

Training Sessions Before the Event

Pre-event workshops are a powerful way to ease participants' concerns and build excitement. For example, the "Build With AI for Sustainable Growth" hackathon included four workshops between August and September 2024, equipping participants with the skills they needed to refine their ideas before the final event in Astana [8]. Research from Pluralsight supports this approach, showing that workshops can reduce anxiety and foster a sense of belonging among attendees [1].

These sessions should focus on core technical skills and AI basics [8]. Organizers can encourage active involvement by addressing common challenges and reassuring participants that everyone starts somewhere [8]. By building confidence and providing practical knowledge, these workshops set the stage for participants to contribute meaningfully during the hackathon.

Showing Previous Results and Following Through on Ideas

Employees are more likely to engage when they see that hackathons lead to real outcomes. Highlighting past successes, like new product features, process improvements, or cost savings, demonstrates that hackathons are more than just creative exercises - they can drive lasting business impact.

To ensure ideas have a path forward, allocate resources and budgets to refine prototypes into scalable solutions. Latenode plays a key role here, offering a platform to transform hackathon concepts into practical automations that integrate with tools like CRMs, ERPs, and databases. Pre-defining support systems and implementation pathways motivates participants to think big and develop solutions with long-term potential.

Creating spaces for ongoing innovation, supported by leadership and additional resources, ensures that the momentum from hackathons doesn’t fade. By integrating tools like Latenode into the post-event process, organizations can turn creative energy into enduring business advancements.

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Solving Common AI Hackathon Organization Problems

Hackathons have become a powerful tool for driving innovation, with over 80% of Fortune 100 companies organizing them to spark creativity and solve pressing challenges [9]. However, many organizations face recurring obstacles that can hinder their success. Tackling these issues head-on can ensure your hackathon delivers meaningful results.

Getting Management Support

Convincing leadership to back a hackathon starts with tying its outcomes to measurable business goals that matter to executives. Studies reveal that up to 90% of participants gain valuable skills during hackathons and plan to apply them at work. Additionally, increased employee engagement can boost productivity by 18% and profitability by 23% [12].

To secure buy-in, present a well-rounded plan that connects the hackathon to key business objectives. As Janet Carmody, Head of Culture at Motorola Solutions, advises:

"It's about approaching leadership with a detailed, actionable plan...Take it past the initial concept" [12].

Your proposal should outline objectives, event format, timelines, budget, and key stakeholders. Address potential risks and emphasize measurable outcomes. Position the hackathon as a way to accelerate innovation, encourage cross-departmental collaboration, and enhance employee engagement. For example, Toyota has used internal hackathons to develop features that have been implemented in vehicles [12]. Similarly, Okta experimented with emerging technologies during hackathons by using temporary sandbox environments, enabling cost-effective evaluation before committing to larger investments.

"We were able to have very low costs because you only need temporary access in a hackathon…This is an easy place to experiment by giving short access in a sandbox environment, and then we can decide which tools we want to buy into later" - Neta Retter, Director of Innovation at Okta [12].

Involve executives by offering roles as judges, mentors, or contributors to problem statements. This hands-on participation fosters a sense of ownership and highlights the hackathon's strategic importance. Once leadership is on board, the next challenge is addressing technical skill gaps.

Closing Skill Gaps with Latenode

Bridging technical disparities is essential to turning hackathon ideas into actionable solutions. Tools like Latenode simplify this process by enabling participants to create workflows and integrate systems without extensive coding. Latenode’s AI-driven platform allows users to design custom nodes and connectors in minutes, drastically cutting development time compared to traditional methods [11]. As Oleg Zankov, Co-Founder & Product Owner at Latenode, explains:

"Our team at Latenode shares your vision of bridging the UX-AI gap and empowering users with accessible automation tools. Latenode's AI-driven workflow creation enables users to build custom nodes and connectors in minutes, significantly reducing development time" [11].

This accessibility empowers teams across departments. For instance, marketing professionals can prototype customer journey automations, HR teams can create candidate screening workflows, and sales representatives can design lead qualification systems - all without waiting for IT assistance. With integrations for over 300 apps, Latenode enables participants to connect existing tools directly into their prototypes, making solutions immediately applicable to daily operations.

Providing training sessions before the hackathon can help participants feel confident using Latenode, allowing technical team members to focus on advanced integrations and logic.

Managing Time Limits and Employee Concerns

After securing leadership support and addressing technical readiness, the next step is managing time constraints and alleviating employee concerns. Scheduling conflicts and worries about AI often pose challenges. While internal hackathons typically require 2-4 weeks of planning, the event itself must balance participant availability with operational demands [10].

A hybrid approach works well: use virtual preparation combined with focused in-person sessions. Assigning groups of five participants based on job functions ensures smoother collaboration compared to self-organized teams. Optimal participation ranges from 20 to 75 individuals, striking a balance between engagement and logistical feasibility [10].

Employee concerns about AI often stem from fears of job displacement or the complexity of the technology. Clear communication can ease these anxieties. Emphasize that the hackathon’s goal is to enhance human capabilities, not replace them, and show how AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more meaningful work.

Support structures are key to a successful event. Include mentors, subject matter experts, and active communication channels. Provide resources like large language models, example code, datasets, and prompt engineering tools to lower technical barriers. Document insights and scale efforts gradually based on measurable outcomes to build confidence in future hackathons [10].

The benefits of this structured approach are clear. For example, STIM managed to create three production-ready AI solutions within just 48 hours during a well-organized hackathon [10]. Success stories like this demonstrate how hackathons can deliver tangible results in a short period, overcoming initial skepticism and proving their business value.

Turning Hackathon Ideas into Working Solutions with Latenode

Hackathons are renowned for sparking creativity and generating innovative concepts, but turning these ideas into lasting, impactful solutions can be a challenge. Often, the energy and ingenuity of a hackathon fade after the event, leaving prototypes unused. Latenode bridges this gap by helping teams transform their hackathon prototypes into scalable, fully integrated business solutions that align with existing infrastructure.

Converting Prototypes into Working Systems

Taking a hackathon prototype and developing it into a production-ready system is no small feat. It often requires significant resources, technical know-how, and time - obstacles that many teams struggle to overcome. Latenode simplifies this process with its AI-powered workflow creation tools, enabling teams to quickly turn their ideas into functional systems.

The platform’s visual workflow builder is a game-changer. It allows teams to build on their initial concepts and create powerful automations without starting from scratch. For example, marketing teams can use Latenode to connect Facebook Lead Ads data with AI-driven lead scoring tools, triggering targeted ad campaigns to boost conversions. By supporting over 1 million NPM packages, Latenode lets teams incorporate advanced features without heavy custom development. Its JavaScript integration also empowers technical users to add complex logic, ensuring prototypes can evolve into robust, enterprise-grade applications. This streamlined approach not only accelerates development but also sets the stage for seamless integration with core business systems.

Connecting with Current Business Systems

The true potential of hackathon innovations is unlocked when they are integrated into everyday business operations rather than existing as standalone tools. Latenode excels in this area, offering native integrations with over 300 applications, including widely used platforms like Zendesk and QuickBooks. This connectivity enables hackathon projects to become operational workflows that enhance existing processes.

For instance, a customer support automation developed during a hackathon can integrate with Zendesk to summarize support tickets using AI, speeding up response times and improving resolution rates. Similarly, financial teams can link forecasting tools to QuickBooks, automating report generation and cash flow predictions. The process is straightforward: teams search for "AI Agent" in the integrations panel, authorize access, set a trigger, and define an action - turning ideas into actionable workflows in minutes.

Creating Long-Term Business Results

Hackathon innovations don’t just need to work; they need to evolve and scale to deliver lasting value. Latenode provides the tools for continuous improvement, ensuring solutions grow into strategic assets that deliver measurable outcomes. Its multi-agent capabilities allow systems to handle tasks like writing emails, analyzing data, connecting APIs, and even self-optimizing based on performance metrics.

The platform also supports multiple AI models - such as Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Perplexity - under a single subscription, giving teams the flexibility to experiment and adapt as business needs change. This ensures that solutions remain relevant and effective over time.

Latenode’s focus on no-code and low-code functionality means that original teams can maintain and expand their solutions without needing extensive IT support. As Oleg Zankov puts it:

"At Latenode, we emphasize no-code and low-code flexibility to enable everyone, from freelancers to enterprises, to streamline their automation effortlessly."

Feedback from users highlights how easy it is to update and scale these solutions. This combination of advanced capabilities and user-friendly design ensures that hackathon projects continue to deliver value, transforming creative efforts into long-term competitive advantages that support AI adoption across the organization.

Conclusion: Turning Hackathon Results Into Ongoing AI Success

AI hackathons are more than just bursts of creative energy - they serve as powerful springboards for embedding AI-driven advancements into the core of an organization. Companies that successfully transition from hackathon enthusiasm to actionable results often reap long-term benefits that extend well beyond the event.

The key lies in taking the innovative ideas and prototypes born during hackathons and transforming them into fully operational systems. This requires careful planning, the right tools, and a clear roadmap. Companies like Finastra and Toyota have demonstrated how hackathon projects can evolve into tangible business improvements, delivering measurable value [2].

Platforms like Latenode play a vital role in this transformation. By simplifying the process of scaling hackathon prototypes into enterprise-ready solutions, Latenode’s visual workflow builder and robust integrations remove traditional barriers. As Oleg Zankov notes:

"At Latenode, we also emphasize AI-driven workflow creation which can significantly cut down development time for custom nodes and connectors. Plus, our no-code and low-code flexibility makes automation accessible for everyone, even those without coding skills" [13].

Forward-thinking organizations are institutionalizing hackathons as part of their broader innovation strategies. They create dedicated environments - sometimes called "Hack-on" spaces - where ideas are nurtured and guided by leadership, ensuring they evolve into impactful initiatives. This approach fosters a culture of continuous AI-driven growth.

FAQs

How do AI hackathons help bridge the technical skill gap in a company?

AI hackathons provide an engaging way to help employees bridge the technical skill gap by immersing them in hands-on experiences with AI technologies. These events create a collaborative, low-pressure setting where participants from various departments come together to tackle real-world business problems. By working as a team, employees not only strengthen their problem-solving abilities but also gain practical knowledge of how AI can be applied in everyday scenarios.

Moreover, hackathons often reveal untapped skills within the workforce - whether it’s analytical thinking, programming, or creative problem-solving - that can be channeled into AI-driven projects. Encouraging a culture of experimentation and continuous learning allows companies to build employee confidence in using AI tools. This approach equips the organization to adapt more effectively to technological advancements while closing the skill gap across teams.

How can companies ensure that ideas from AI hackathons are successfully implemented and scaled?

To turn the innovative ideas from AI hackathons into tangible outcomes, companies should follow a well-organized strategy. Begin by sharing the hackathon's results across the organization. This not only sparks enthusiasm but also fosters a culture of collaboration. Showcasing successful projects during internal meetings or through company-wide updates can motivate teams and build momentum for further creative efforts.

The next step is to connect the winning teams with influential stakeholders, such as product managers or department heads. This collaboration helps transition promising prototypes into practical solutions that align with the company’s objectives. Ensure these teams have the resources and guidance they need to refine and expand their concepts.

Finally, collect feedback from participants to refine future hackathons and streamline the implementation process. This approach ensures that the energy and creativity generated during the event lead to meaningful, long-term contributions to the organization.

How do AI hackathons promote collaboration across departments, and why is this valuable for a company?

AI hackathons serve as a dynamic platform where employees from various departments - such as sales, marketing, and IT - come together to tackle real-world challenges. These events leverage the unique perspectives and skills of participants, sparking innovative solutions and enabling teams to develop practical AI applications in a short timeframe. This kind of cross-functional collaboration not only encourages fresh ideas but also highlights hidden talents within the organization and boosts employee engagement.

The impact of these hackathons often extends well beyond the event itself. Teams frequently generate actionable ideas that can be implemented to deliver measurable business improvements. Moreover, the collaborative atmosphere nurtures a culture of experimentation, where employees feel encouraged to take calculated risks and learn from their missteps. This mindset is essential for fostering growth and staying adaptable in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.