Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) and Nova SBE Executive Education brought together more than 300 participants — including faculty, technology partners, companies, and journalists — for one of Portugal’s largest AI hackathons dedicated to vibe coding and the practical, effective application of artificial intelligence.
Designed as an experimentation lab, the AI Hackathon took place on July 8 and 9, challenging more than 30 multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions to real-world business challenges in automation, customer experience, learning and education, and new products and business models.
Rather than simply discussing the potential of artificial intelligence, the event focused on putting it into practice by encouraging participants to build functional prototypes, experiment with new methodologies, and develop the skills needed to accelerate organizational transformation.
According to Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE, "It was inspiring to see so many people discovering, through hands-on experimentation, just how far AI can already take us," adding that "the most meaningful moment was watching participants realize they were capable of creating their own solutions." Pedro Oliveira also noted that "this is a clear sign that we are only at the beginning of a much broader transformation."
"The pace of technological disruption demands an ecosystem in which academia, technology partners, and businesses work in close collaboration. No organization transforms itself in isolation," said Pedro Brito, Associate Dean for Executive Education of Nova SBE. "This AI Hackathon demonstrated the true value of that collaboration. It is through pragmatism, experimentation, and collective effort that we prepare organizations for the future of work."
By promoting initiatives such as the AI Hackathon, Nova SBE reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration between academia and industry, helping equip professionals and organizations with the capabilities needed to thrive in an AI-driven future.