How do We Qualify Our Workforce for the Future?
The question that many companies are asking themselves is: How do we prepare our workforce for these far-reaching changes? How do we allay fears, encourage experimentation and promote the productive use of new technologies?
Hackathons and Promptathons are a good way to keep the entry threshold into the world of AI low
Hackathons and Promptathons are one approach to facilitate entry into the world of artificial intelligence.
What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon is a time-limited event that originally comes from software development, in which teams work collaboratively, iteratively on problems within a fixed time frame and with a defined methodology. Nowadays, hackathons are not only about software, but the methodology has been further developed and can be applied to many problems.
Participants from different disciplines tackle real issues. Using agile methods such as design thinking, the problem is first analysed through interviews or shadowing. This is followed by a creative process in which ‘out-of-the-box’ solutions are developed. The problems are formulated in advance as questions and introduced in order to develop targeted solutions.
What are Promptathons?
A Promptathon is a new term made up of ‘Prompt’ and ‘Hackathon’. Participants use AI tools to develop creative and technological solutions. Unlike traditional hackathons, AI is actively integrated into the process.
It supports the development of personas, prototypes and future scenarios. The key difference: AI is not just a technology, but a co-creator that enables creative and innovative ideas and accelerates processes such as design thinking and problem-solving.
Practical Experience
Case study: Hackathons at a Large Company
Daikin, Daikin, a leading supplier in the air conditioning and heating industry, focuses on innovative, energy-efficient technologies. While the air conditioning market is well established, the heating market presented new challenges. To better understand this and develop an inspiring user journey for partners and end customers, Daikin organised a series of four hackathons in Amsterdam, accompanied by the Trainconsulting consultants Hannah Lux, Maximilian Wedl, Claudia Wintersteiger and our cooperation partner Brita Eipeldauer.
60 employees from various disciplines and countries worked together on the solution. They collected market data, conducted customer interviews, observed competitors and analysed the installation of heat pumps on site. Based on the insights gained, creative prototypes were developed to revolutionise the heating market.
The feedback from the participants was clear: “The diversity of perspectives and the way we talk to each other here means that we have developed completely new approaches to solutions.’ Another participant added: ‘Customer focus is now a job for the whole company.”
The agile methods learnt, such as design thinking and collaboration across departmental boundaries, not only strengthened the spirit of innovation, but also their immediate applicability in everyday working life: “The methods I learnt also help me in other workshops. I can apply them immediately.”
Case Study: Promptathons at Primetals Technologies
With our co-operation partner Netural we organised a three-day workshop for Primetals Technologies, one of the technology leaders in plant engineering for the metal industry. The aim was to provide participants from all over the world with a holistic perspective on digital transformation.
In the collaboration between Netural and Trainconsulting, the focus was on both the initiation of (digital) transformation projects and the associated organisational changes. The process was accompanied by Netural’s CEO, Albert Ortig and the Director New Business & Consulting, Peter Gollowitsch, and on the part of Trainconsulting by Claudia Wintersteiger.
Methods such as design thinking and service design were used to bring new forms of collaboration to life and develop concrete solutions at the same time.methods such as design thinking and service design were used to bring new forms of collaboration to life and develop concrete solutions at the same time.
A particular highlight was the visit to the ‘Understanding AI’ exhibition at the Ars Electronica, which gave the participants exciting insights into the world of artificial intelligence.
We wanted to use a global workshop to highlight the topic of digital transformation, its importance and what changes it will mean for us as an organisation. Together with Trainconsulting and Netural, we were able to shed light on the possibilities and opportunities, as well as the professional use of AI and how it can support us in our daily work.
Yvonne Meier – Primetals Technologies
Business development – Digital Transformation & Smart Production
Conclusion: Learning Through Joint Experimentation
Hackathons and Promptathons are not just low-threshold opportunities to familiarise your own workforce with new technologies. They also create a framework in which teams can develop new ideas in a relaxed atmosphere and experience the practical use of AI for themselves. The fun of learning and experimenting together is a key success factor – and perhaps the key to overcoming fears and actively shaping digital change.
