Hacks with Friends is Back – Save the Date
Updated August 23, 2024: Due to unforeseen circumstances we have rescheduled the 2024 Hacks with Friends event to a little later in the fall. Please adjust your calendars and make plans to participate in the 2024 Hacks with Friends (HWF) now on November 14 – 15 at Arbor Lakes. The deadline for “pitching” your ideas for a hack is now September 27 (see below for more info.) Registration for the event will open on October 14.
HWF is a spirited event open to any and all University of Michigan technology professionals and advocates, regardless of role. Everyone is invited to be a part of this hackathon: project managers, analysts, developers, UX designers, documentation specialists, designers, security specialists, trainers, desktop support specialists, cheerleaders, or whoever you are. We invite you to be a part of this “hackathon.” Pick up new skills, make new connections, explore new technologies, and find innovative ways to resolve problems. The only limit is your imagination.
2024 HWF Tracks
- Gen AI Track: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence
Designed for pitches that delve into the transformative potential of generative AI. Pitch projects in this category will foster collaborative learning and growth to create groundbreaking AI solutions that have positive ramifications on higher education at U-M. (Ensure you have the basics of AI for your pitch. Refer to the ITS AI Services Support page for learning resources.) - Technology Track: Revitalize Traditional Hacks and Bring Ideas to Life
This is the “classic” hacking track! Pitches in this track tackle those back-burner projects that have the potential to make a significant impact at U-M. You might want to refine an existing tool or develop a new solution by focusing on those creative ideas that often get sidelined. - Human-Based (Non-Code) Track: Empowering People, Enhancing Processes
The “human-based” track is designed for pitches that would look to enhance non-technical aspects of the IT environment, such as leadership, professional development, change management, mentoring, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These pitches would encourage participants to come together and address common challenges, develop new processes, and innovate business practices, using the collaborative HWF environment to draw together people who want to drive meaningful change and improve the overall IT ecosystem.
Call for Proposals – Submit by September 27
Do you have an idea for a hack? Pitch it to us! Pitch proposals must be submitted online by the end of the day, Friday, September 27. You will need to briefly describe the concept, list out the skill sets you are looking for to be successful, create a short video, and fit your pitch into one of the three 2024 HWF tracks listed below. By submitting a pitch proposal, you are committing to attend the HWF event on November 14 and 15 and lead the hack team that will work on your proposed idea. Pitches will be posted publicly on the 2024 HWF website for participants to review and consider prior to registration.
Visit the Hacks with Friends website page for specific event pitch submission information. Registration to participate opens on October 14. Check out what happened at previous Hacks with Friends events, and make sure you’re subscribed to the Michigan IT Events list to receive the event invite when it goes out.
