E.ON’s AI ‘hackathon’ for IT experts and Coventry students
Two-day event overseen by leading tech companies explores new ways to use AI to solve some of the most pressing challenges faced by the energy sector
World-leading tech companies Microsoft, Infosys, and Asana joined IT experts from E.ON and local students at E.ON’s Westwood Business Park HQ for an ‘Artificial Intelligence Hackathon’ with Coventry students. The aim was to use AI to solve real-world business challenges.
Participants in the AI hackathon, photo courtesy of E.ON
During the hackathon, 10 participating teams from E.ON were provided with tools and expertise to develop their cutting-edge solutions. This included support from leading tech companies such as Microsoft, Snowflake, Infosys, and Asana. The sessions sought to foster creativity, collaboration and community.
Then, the most promising concepts were showcased in an ‘AI forum’ akin to the popular TV series Dragons’ Den. Teams presented their ideas to a panel of senior digital and technology leaders, including several E.ON UK board members, where their potential was assessed for development funding and rollout.
For the second day of the hackathon, the teams were joined by 11 students from WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry, as part of E.ONs wider programme to nurture talent in the region. The event provided an opportunity for students to collaborate with industry professionals and gain insights into the role of AI in the energy sector.
The two-day event ended with awards being given in three categories. The winning ideas included automating property assessments for air source heat pump suitability, and a scheme to deploy AI agents — that is, systems capable of performing specific tasks independently — to drive smarter, more efficient operations.
Claire Whitmore, AI Taskforce Lead at E.ON UK, says: ‘Our AI hackathon series has been a phenomenal success, bringing together brilliant minds to tackle real-world challenges, as well as exploring cyber security improvements to keep data and people safe in a more digital world. The ideas presented at our Hackathon are not just innovative but have the potential to make a tangible impact on how we deliver energy solutions in the future. It’s inspiring to see such innovative ideas come to life in such a short time.’
Paula Carmichael, Student Careers Manager at WMG Academy for Young Engineers, adds : ‘It was a fantastic and invaluable experience for our students to visit E.ON during their hackathon. Not only did they have the opportunity to engage with global tech leaders like Microsoft, Infosys, and Asana, but they also gained invaluable insights into the real-world applications of AI in the energy sector. Our students were truly inspired by the potential career paths that AI innovations can lead to, and it’s exciting to see E.ON, as a major local employer, offering such great opportunities for young talent in Coventry. This experience has opened their eyes to the vast possibilities that lie ahead in the tech and energy industries.’
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