#Japan #Tokyo #AI Hackathon #Google Gemini #ISFnet

Internal AI Hackathon at ISFnet: Empowering Everyone

ISFnet, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, aims to revolutionize its corporate culture by promoting the widespread use of AI among its employees. Recently, the company organized an internal AI hackathon, encouraging participation from all employees, regardless of their technical backgrounds. This initiative is not just about generating ideas but also about cultivating a culture where self-driven improvements in work processes are celebrated and recognized.

Background and Purpose of the Event

The motivation behind this hackathon stems from ISFnet's belief that enhancing individual skills through the latest technologies is crucial for energizing the organization. The event seeks to establish AI as a commonplace tool within the company and includes several specific objectives:

• - Reducing Psychological Barriers: The hackathon particularly focused on “Gem,” a no-code feature of Google Gemini, aimed at dismantling the psychological hurdles faced by non-engineering staff in leveraging AI.
• - Promoting a Culture of Ideas: By not imposing work improvement initiatives as mandatory, the event encourages employees to voluntarily share tools and innovations they create, fostering a positive work environment where appreciation and recognition are prominent.
• - Skill Development and Organizational Vitality: Participants are given the opportunity to enhance their IT skills as they engage in creating solutions while sharing ideas across departmental lines, thus invigorating the organization. The event also served as a technical validation exercise utilizing Google Workspace functionalities.
• - Business Creation: Engaging with the real challenges faced in their day-to-day roles may lead to the identification of new business ideas and significant operational enhancements.

Contest Features: Shift from Technical Skills to Idea Generation

Traditionally, hackathons have heavily relied on programming skills, often relegating participation to individuals with engineering backgrounds. However, ISFnet’s approach diverges in several ways:

1. Focus on No-Code AI “Gem”: By centering the event around “Gem,” ISFnet empowers non-engineering professionals such as sales and HR to directly address workplace challenges with their ideas. This shift should encourage a belief among employees that they, too, can contribute significantly.

2. Lowering Entry Barriers: To facilitate participation, ISFnet provided a beginner's guide to creating “Gem,” effectively outlining the process and offering sample texts. Additionally, the company hosted study sessions on using “Gem” during the event period. Notably, the hackathon did not impose strict limits on submission numbers or creation time, even welcoming tools already in use, further minimizing psychological barriers.

Contest Details and Outcomes

The submission period ran from April 13 to April 30, yielding 26 creative entries. Utilizing Google Workspace features, a specialized intranet was set up combining tools like Google Sites and Google Sheets, enabling all employees to easily view and vote for entries. From May 1 to May 12, voting took place, prompting enthusiastic feedback and cross-departmental interactions. The award ceremony was held on May 15, honoring 12 individuals across four categories: Immediate Impact Award, Operations Team Award, Best Feedback Award, and Best of Gem Award.

Organizer Comments

The inaugural internal AI hackathon attracted more submissions than anticipated, illustrating the connection between employee challenges and fresh ideas. While some participants had reservations about publicly sharing their Gems, many expressed that this contest presented a valuable opportunity to learn about AI application, signaling a step forward in the organization’s embracing of AI. Looking ahead, ISFnet anticipates that the adoption of AI in work practices will rapidly normalize, fueled by an increasing number of employees eager to explore new technologies.

Future Outlook

Leveraging the lower psychological barriers and heightened motivation for self-improvement revealed by the event, ISFnet plans to continue organizing similar initiatives and events. The company is committed to fostering a culture where AI is considered standard practice, spurring further innovation within its business operations.

About ISFnet

ISFnet is an IT infrastructure company specializing in solutions centered on cloud, servers, and network security. With approximately 2,300 engineers employed across 14 locations in Japan, as well as offices in China, South Korea, and Singapore, the company emphasizes human resource development as part of its corporate identity, focusing on cultivating IT infrastructure engineers. For more information, visit ISFnet Official Website.