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International student teams develop AI assistants for learning at an ECIU hackathon

Published on 24.3.2025

Tampere University

Joukko eri kansallisuuksia edustavia opiskelijoita tekee ryhmätyötä hilpeissä tunnelmissa.

The joint AI hackathon event by Tampere University and ECIU University was held at Paidia in Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland from 12 to 14 March 2025. The event was the largest multinational on-site challenge organised by Tampere University, and one of the largest student events of ECIU University. The participants came from eight universities across Europe.Photo: Jonne Renvall

At the AI hackathon, organised by Tampere University and ECIU University, the international student teams developed personal AI assistants that can enhance learning environments and experiences in the future. AI assistants can potentially offer learners real-time feedback, personalised learning plans, or help with difficult topics. In addition to teamwork and problem-solving skills, students gained knowledge of the latest AI techniques and had the opportunity to network with industry experts.

In the hackathon, international student teams took steps towards a future where AI assistants play a central role in learning environments and experiences. The hackathon began with an online session in early 2025, followed by the workshop at Nokia Arena, Tampere. In the workshop, AI prototypes were created and evaluated by industry experts judged by practicality and impact.

Henri Pirkkalainen, a professor of information management at Tampere University and leader of the development of digital credentials and flexible learning paths at the ECIU network, said he was pleasantly surprised by the students’ achievements because they were very diverse.

“I think that in the future, especially this type of assistant AI will play a big role in learning. AI does not do critical thinking, but it helps to manage large entities and students could use assistants for career planning or navigating their studies. The AI prototypes created at the hackathon were designed, for example, for this purpose," Pirkkalainen says.

AI-centric future both excites and causes concern

The event sparked interest among students, particularly because the future of AI is intriguing. Aapo Piirainen, a student of industrial engineering and management at Tampere University, mentioned that AI has become such a significant phenomenon that understanding it will be crucial in the future.

The AI-centric future also causes concerns.

“I fear what will happen in the future and what people will become when everyone uses AI. The processes behind the tool should be well understood to use it correctly. The hackathon has offered much knowledge,” notes Mathias Vortex, a student of international business at Tampere University.

Reporting the potential negative aspects of AI was part of the assignments at the event.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground and be aware of the potential negative impacts of AI. It is easy to give it too big a role and reduce our own internal processing, which is not good,” Pirkkalainen says.

Professor Pirkkalainen leads the EVIL-AI research project, which spans three scientific disciplines and analyses the negative aspects of AI.

For participants, the hackathon was a great international experience

The learning opportunities provided by the AI hackathon and the atmosphere among students from different backgrounds was much praised by the participants. For example, Anssi Yli-Jyrä, a docent at University of Helsinki and a doctoral student of information management at Tampere University, mentioned that he and his Polish-Italian-Finnish team created a peace-promoting, voice-interacting 3D avatar. With a committed and diverse team, it was simple to master the technology.

Also Vortex praised the diverse and multidisciplinary team with whom he developed AI assistants.

Aapo Piirainen said he enjoyed the experience because it allowed him to come together with people he usually does not encounter on campus. Diverse international connections may also be beneficial in the future.

Four students necking with thumbs up. — “The hackathon was very well organised. I believe this experience will be beneficial in the future. For instance, the student networks and AI expert connections formed during the event might open opportunities for other AI projects,” says Piirainen, second from the right, with team mates William Mitchell and Asif Ibtehaz (Tampere University) and Phoebe Iglesias Cividanes (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB).

ECIU University: solving real-life challenges and foster change

The goal of ECIU University is to unite students, researchers, lifelong learners, cities, companies, and communities to solve real-life challenges. The AI hackathon was the largest multinational on-site challenge event organised by Tampere University, and one of the largest student events of ECIU University. The event brought participants from eight ECIU universities to Tampere. Tampere is one of the 14 ECIU member universities.