RESCHEDULED: Hacks with Friends is Back for 2024
Make plans to participate in the 2024 Hacks with Friends (HWF) on November 14 – 15 at Arbor Lakes. Registration will open on October 14.
HWF is a spirited event open to any and all University of Michigan technology professionals and advocates, regardless of role. Participate on a team to build a project (a.k.a. “hack”) from beginning to end and show it off in a fun, friendly competition. You never know - you might start something that could develop into a new technology that would benefit the entire university!
Everyone is invited to be a part of this hackathon: project managers, analysts, developers, UX designers, documentation specialists, designers, security specialists, trainers, desktop support specialists, cheerleaders, or whoever you are.
Pick up new skills, make new connections, and explore new technologies and find innovative ways to resolve problems. The only limit is your imagination.
2024 Schedule Overview
Hacks with Friends will require two full-day commitments. Please check with your manager that workload and schedule allow your participation.
- Thursday, November 14: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, November 15: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hacks with Friends is sponsored by the U-M office of the vice president for IT and CIO. All IT and technology professionals and advocates from across U-M are invited to break away from their everyday activities and have some fun in a friendly competition. Review past Hacks with Friends events to discover how the event has evolved over the years.
2024 HWF Pitch Tracks
- Gen AI Track: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence
Designed for pitches that delve into the transformative potential of generative AI. Pitch projects in this category would foster collaborative learning and growth to create groundbreaking AI solutions that have positive ramifications on higher education at U-M. (Ensure you have the basics of AI for your pitch. Refer to the ITS AI Services Support page for learning resources.) - Technology Track: Revitalize Traditional Hacks and Bring Ideas to Life
This is the “classic” hacking track! Pitches in this track tackle those back-burner projects that have the potential to make a significant impact at U-M. You might want to refine an existing tool or develop a new solution by focusing on those creative ideas that often get sidelined. - Human-Based (Non-Code) Track: Empowering People, Enhancing Processes
The “human-based” track is designed for pitches that would look to enhance non-technical aspects of the IT environment, such as leadership, professional development, change management, mentoring, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These pitches would encourage participants to come together and address common challenges, develop new processes, and innovate business practices, using the collaborative HWF environment to draw together people who want to drive meaningful change and improve the overall IT ecosystem.
Call for Pitch Proposals — New Deadline: September 27
Do you have an idea for a hack? HWF has grown in reputation over the years as an opportunity to creatively solve problems of many kinds.
Do you, your department, your discipline, or the university have a problem that could be solved through existing or new technology? The 2024 HWF planning committee highly encourages technological innovation. This is the perfect opportunity to experiment with new technologies, like generative AI (GenAI), machine learning (ML), or extended reality (XR), or consider how to apply existing technology in a new way.
Do you have an idea for a solution to a problem that could benefit from fresh input and perspective of highly skilled and creative technology professionals? HWF brings together more than 100 talented individuals from across the Michigan IT community each year. Participants who join are eager to use their expertise to collaborate on teams to hack and implement solutions.
This is an open invitation to people from the entire U-M community to submit an original pitch idea for a hack that corresponds with one of the 2024 HWF tracks.
Submit a Pitch Pitch proposals are due by the end of the day, Friday, September 27.
Note: Brainstorming with others prior to the event is acceptable, but no pre-work is allowed. You do not have to pitch an idea to participate and attend Hacks with Friends.
What does it take to submit a pitch?
You will be asked to briefly describe the concept, create a short video, and list out the skill sets you are looking for to be successful and entice colleagues to join your team. Pitches should demonstrate innovative ways in which information technology could impact the university and its mission. By submitting a pitch proposal you are committing to attend the HWF event in person on November 14 and 15, and lead the hack team that will work on your proposed idea. Pitches will be posted publicly on the 2024 HWF website for participants to review and consider prior to registration.
View Tips for Submitting a Pitch for more information and guidance.
Can you hack it? The answer is YES!
Hacks with Friends is open to any and all IT and technology professionals and advocates who work at U-M. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, build something new, and strengthen the Michigan IT community. Whoever you are... Whatever your passion… brainstormers, visionaries, developers, project managers, analysts, UX designers, service center specialists, security specialists, trainers, desktop support, designers, or cheerleaders… We want you to be a part of it!
2024 Hacks with Friends Planning Team
Joseph Lubomirski - UM-Dearborn ITS (Co-Chair)
Kenny Moore - ITS (Co-Chair)
Samy Ali-Khodja - College of Engineering
Jennifer Wilkerson - ITS
Joel Iverson - ITS
Kim Wooton - ITS
Questions and More Information
Send questions, ideas, and feedback to: [email protected]