In the fast-paced world of AI, staying ahead means diving into challenges that push your skills and spark innovation. In 2025, I embraced this philosophy by participating in multiple hackathons, each offering unique learning opportunities and real-world applications. Here's why hackathons are your fast-track to AI mastery.
Why Hackathons Are a Powerful Learning Tool
Hackathons are more than coding sprints — they're dynamic spaces where you learn fast, solve real problems, and build connections. My first hackathon moment of 2025 — watching our team's idea for Trendle come to life in hours — reminded me why I love tech: the thrill of creating something impactful under pressure.
Hackathons have helped me:
- Learn New Tools Quickly: I mastered Google's Agent Development Kit in a weekend, building a multi-agent app from scratch.
- Streamline Workflows: Repeatedly deploying apps to Google Cloud Run cut my setup time by 80%, turning complex tasks into efficient processes.
- Lead and Collaborate: Working with diverse teams has sharpened my ability to guide projects, integrate ideas, and delegate effectively.
- Solve Problems Strategically: Using First Principles Thinking — breaking problems into their core parts — we've crafted innovative solutions that stand out.
- Build Confidence: Delivering AI-driven projects under tight deadlines has strengthened my ability to lead teams with clarity and impact.
By strategically choosing hackathons that target specific skills, like AI integration or cloud deployment, I've stayed sharp in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
My 2025 Hackathon Journey
This year's five hackathons each offered unique challenges and lessons. Here's what I built and learned:
AWS AI Hackathon (Winner)
Winning this hackathon was a highlight. Our team created Trendle, an AI-powered shopping assistant that syncs with Google Calendar to detect events (e.g., birthdays, trips), uses conversational AI to understand preferences, and leverages AWS Personalizer for tailored product recommendations. I focused on designing the data pipeline and optimising cloud integration, ensuring a seamless user experience. The win showed how AI can transform everyday tasks into personalised solutions.
Google ADK Hackathon
This event dove into multi-agent AI systems. We developed MindGarden, a mental health platform that automates risk detection, triage, resource matching, and follow-up plans while prioritising user privacy. Starting with no knowledge of Google's Agent Development Kit, we deployed the app to Google Cloud Run in a weekend. Designing a scalable backend taught me how hackathons can rapidly close complex skill gaps.
Code For Change AI Hackathon
My first experience with AI agents came here, where we built Mind Mate, an AI-driven wellness companion for mood tracking, personalised recommendations, and conversational support. I handled agent-frontend integration and Google Cloud Run deployment, balancing technical complexity with intuitive design. This project highlighted the power of user-centric AI in creating meaningful impact.
Bolt.new: World's Largest Hackathon
Joining 130,000+ developers was exhilarating. We turned a single prompt into a fully functional website with backend integrations, using AI tools to streamline development. The challenges required creative problem-solving under tight deadlines. Optimising workflows ensured we delivered a robust solution, showcasing AI's potential to accelerate development.
WPP x GCP AI Hackathon
This hackathon tackled real-world business challenges, like predicting consumer emotions using data from weather, mobility, and events. Using Google Cloud's Vertex AI, our team built models to map emotional trends across regions. I led the data pipeline design, ensuring accurate insights. Collaborating with Google Cloud experts opened new ways to apply AI to analytics.
Why You Should Try Hackathons
Hackathons are for everyone — beginners to experts. They offer:
- Hands-On Learning: Build real projects with tools like AI, cloud platforms, or APIs.
- Portfolio Growth: Create apps like Trendle or MindGarden to showcase your skills.
- Collaboration: Work with diverse teams to gain fresh perspectives and build connections.
- Innovation Under Pressure: The fast-paced setting sparks creative, practical solutions.
Hackathons have been my key to staying ahead in AI, offering a unique blend of learning and impact that traditional methods can't match. They're perfect for testing ideas, refining skills, and growing professionally.
Originally published on Medium