This March, almost 40 students from 8 ECIU University institutions gathered at Tampere University for one of the final stages of AI Assistant Hackathon. For three days, they worked together to present their projects for personal AI learning assistants – and create the foundation for future collaborations and innovation.
This March marked one of the final stages of the AI Assistant Hackathon – a Challenge co-organised by ECIU University together and Tampere University. This Challenge lasted for almost a month, combining online and physical sessions.
On March 11th, 39 students met for an in-person workshop at Nokia Arena in Tampere (Finland). During the upcoming three days, their goal would be to design AI-powered personal learning assistants – and come up with an innovative approach to learning that could help reshape the future of education.
The event brought 10 teams together, with 10 working prototypes created in order to answer one crucial question: how can AI assistants support students in their learning process and ECIU University experience?
Each of the prototypes showcased the teams’ unique vision. For example, one of the groups created an AI avatar that gives personalised learning advice, while another came up with a chatbot that helps learners navigate communication and dynamics within their team.
All participants had their own perspectives and approach – and a joint goal to help build the future of ECIU University learning.
‘During the Hackathon, the atmosphere was electric — teams from different countries all tackling AI challenges in their own unique ways,’ says Daniyar Zhumatayev from Lodz University of Technology (TUL). His team developed an AI assistant that helps students find personalized learning opportunities across the ECIU University network.
‘This was truly a highlight of my academic journey so far,’ the student shares.
Although both online and in-person meetings have come to an end, the Hackathon might be just the beginning for the students and solutions they came up with.
The work on the Hackathon projects will continue – as some prototypes may even be integrated into the ECIU University systems. The insights from the learning sessions will also be invaluable for shaping the learning experience within the community, supporting learning models like Flexible Learning Pathways and learner-centric credentialing tools.
But for participants, it’s not just about developing innovative solutions and deepening their knowledge. Even with AI in the spotlight, Hackathon was all about people – creating meaningful connections and laying the foundation for future growth.
‘I came because I believed in the Challenge — but I left with something far greater,’ says Phoebe Iglesias Cividanes from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB). ‘A deep sense of connection, a team I’ll never forget, and the certainty that in just two days I learned more about real collaboration, design thinking, and AI than months of lectures had ever taught me.
‘For me, Hackathon became a source of valuable connections and memories — like stepping outside at midnight to catch the northern lights with teammates I'd just met days before,’ adds Daniyar.
‘These kinds of experiences are exactly what make ECIU University so valuable for students.’
AI Hackathon became an opportunity for participants to challenge their way of thinking, broaden their horizons, make new connections and take a joint step towards the future of education. And as the Challenge wraps up, there are even more transformative experiences to come.
Photos: Jonne Renvall
