Communication Deployment Hackathon and The International Forum on Implementing Cross-Disciplinary Learning Environment

The final activity, the “Communication Hackathon” was held in February 2024 in Paris, France, at Pole de Vinci University. This culminating event was designed to integrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills developed throughout the previous activities, providing engineering students and professionals with a comprehensive platform to showcase and apply their learning. With over one thousand participants in attendance, the Hackathon offered a dynamic international forum that fostered collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The “Communication Hackathon” sought to encourage collaborative problem-solving and creative thinking, enabling participants to address realtime communication challenges. The event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting teamwork and innovation, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). By tackling complex scenarios, participants were able to develop practical solutions while enhancing their communication competencies and technical expertise. The Hackathon featured a series of engaging and interactive activities, including: Team-based challenges: participants were grouped into diverse, multicultural teams to solve communication-related problems, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas; Real-time Problem solving: teams worked under time constraints to develop innovative solutions to communication challenges, reflecting the pressures of real-world professional environments; Focus on AI integration: Activities emphasized the role of AI in modern communication, exploring its potential to enhance interaction, streamline processes, and address complex issues; Workshops and mentorship: Participants benefited from expert-led workshops and guidance from industry professionals, gaining insights into effective communication strategies and AI applications.

The Hackathon provided participants with an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained from prior activities, reinforcing their learning in a practical and dynamic setting. By addressing real-world challenges, the event encouraged participants to think creatively and develop cutting-edge solutions, particularly in AI-driven communication contexts. The collaborative nature of the Hackathon enabled participants to enhance their teamwork skills while building valuable professional connections within an international network. Participants refined essential skills, such as critical thinking, adaptability, decision-making, and effective communication, all of which are vital for success in the engineering and technology sectors. The “Communication Hackathon” represented a significant step forward in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in engineering education. By integrating collaborative problem-solving with innovative AI-focused activities, the event highlighted the transformative potential of technology in modern communication.
Furthermore, the Hackathon demonstrated the value of fostering cross-disciplinary and multicultural collaboration, preparing participants for the demands of a global and technology-driven workforce. The insights gained from this event will not only benefit the participants but also contribute to the broader educational community, providing a model for future initiatives that aim to integrate innovation and collaboration in professional development. As the final activity of the program, the “Communication Hackathon” successfully encapsulated the overarching objectives of the initiative, leaving participants equipped with enhanced skills, deeper knowledge, and a greater readiness to navigate the challenges of their respective fields. It stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of engineering education and communication practices. Each project activity was designed to equip participants with the essential skill - set that is increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected and rapidly evolving professional environment. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application aimed to enhance the overall
effectiveness of communication within diverse contexts.

After the completion of the first three activities, an International Forum on Cross-Disciplinary Learning Environments titled "AI - at the Service of Languages" was organized. This forum aimed to explore the integration of
artificial intelligence in language learning and its impact on education. Topics covered included the contribution of High-Impact Experiences (HIEs) to learning and teaching through a cross-disciplinary approach, which fostered deeper engagement and critical thinking among participants. Additionally, discussions highlighted how AI and technology can improve graduate employability by equipping students with advanced digital skills, while also addressing the need for improved presentation skills in the digital age. The forum provided an opportunity for participants to explore various innovative methods and approaches to teaching languages, as well as how AI can be leveraged to overcome challenges in language education. The event also created a collaborative environment where attendees could share recommendations, engage in debates, and reflect on the ways to implement the project findings in their own institutions and practices. The format of the event was hybrid, allowing both in-person and online participation. Approximately 60 individuals joined the discussions remotely, contributing to the exchange of ideas. The event successfully brought together academic staff, students, and industry professionals, providing valuable insights into the potential of AI in enhancing language education and fostering a cross-disciplinary learning environment. Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for effective teaching and learning, the event emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise. It generated valuable recommendations for adjusting and improving the development of future projects and ensuring the successful implementation of teaching and learning modules. The event primarily targeted academic and administrative staff, industry specialists, students, and representatives, helping to share the project's findings and identify any necessary adjustments for future progress. The discussion was arranged with a range of experts who held diverse perspectives on using artificial intelligence for learning English. The event aimed to showcase innovative tools, discuss their benefits and
potential risks and share personal experiences and insights. Key speakers for the event were: Riga Technical University: Natalja Muracova, SUCCESS project manager; Association of Leonardo de Vinci: Christophe Dane, Head of Digital
Communication & E-business Educational Program; Christophe Rodrigues, Lecturer-Researcher, Head of Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity Major; Tereze Rozlapa, Language Course Coordinator, Lome Business School (Togo): Boris Ameganvi, Project Manager, Network-System Administrator. Mr. Christophe Rodrigues discussed the matter of artificial intelligence's role in supporting language learning and teaching. He explored how AI can facilitate language acquisition through personalized learning experiences, adaptive learning systems, and real-time language translation tools. He emphasized the importance of balancing AI-driven tools with traditional methods, ensuring that human interaction and cultural context remain integral to effective language education. Mr. Christophe Dane demonstrated various AI tools used in videos, highlighting their potential to enhance recruitment efficiency and candidate evaluation. He explained how these tools can assess body language, and provide insights into communication skills. Additionally, he discussed how AI can be used to reduce human bias, making different processes more objective and data-driven. His presentation provided valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in professional environments and its implications for the future. In her speech, Tereze Rozlapa emphasized the importance of adopting new practices in language learning and teaching, given the current era of digital resources and AI solutions. She highlighted the need for a fresh perspective on the use of AI in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), particularly as issues such as plagiarism and the use of alternative resources have become significant concerns. All together this was a very productive conversation with a diverse range of perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence in both language education and professional environments. The speakers
collectively stressed the transformative potential of AI tools, while also acknowledging the challenges and ethical considerations that come with their integration. The discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between technological innovation and human involvement. Overall, it was a highly productive and thought-provoking conversation, leaving participants with valuable takeaways for future development in AI applications within language learning and other fields in our lives.