Breaking Barriers in Communication: Qubiz's AI-Powered Assistant

Qubiz had an incredible experience at the Oradea Tech Hub's AI HackTech, where we participated with two teams and three mentors to tackle innovative AI challenges. One of our teams focused on developing an AI-powered assistant that enhances team collaboration by providing up-to-date information while seamlessly filtering through all company resources.

HackTech 2024: AI-Powered Collaboration Challenge

In this interview, Adelin and Paul share insights into their journey alongside their team members Jozsef and Andrei. They discuss the creative problem-solving strategies that led to their success and the rewarding winning experience.

Be sure also to check out this article, featuring insights from our other team’s experience.

What inspired you to join OTH's AI Hackathon?

Adelin: I was driven primarily by curiosity. With limited experience in AI, I saw the hackathon as a unique opportunity to dive into a new field, challenge myself, and gain hands-on exposure. The event promised an environment where I could learn from others, expand my skill set, and explore the potential of AI in real-world applications.

Paul: My main reason for joining was to get hands-on experience in the thought process. I wanted to become more familiar with it and find an AI solution for a real-life challenge.

What were your first impressions of the event, and how did it feel to compete with other AI enthusiasts and professionals?

Adelin: I regularly participate in OTH events, but the scale and ambition of this hackathon exceeded anything I had experienced before with them. Competing with others was initially daunting, but knowing I had a strong team by my side gave me confidence. We could bridge any knowledge gaps and tackle the challenge head-on.

Paul: Since this was my first time competing, I didn’t know what to expect. Boy, was I in for a surprise! The atmosphere was terrific. We had total freedom in choosing the tech solution, we had a small team, we were nimble & fast, and we had to define together with the “client” what are the most valuable use cases and which ones we could tackle quickly. Loved every bit of it.

Can you describe the challenge that your team won and what it entailed?

Adelin & Paul: Our team won the challenge provided by The European Digital Innovation Hub in Transylvania, where we were tasked with implementing an AI tool to improve interdepartmental communication. Given the broad scope of this challenge, we had the chance to collaborate closely and refine our understanding of end-user needs. This approach helped us develop a practical solution that addressed critical communication gaps within organisations, ultimately leading us to victory. Considering the complexity of the challenge, we had to narrow it down and shape it into an MVP solution that gave "the most bang for their buck" in 48 hours.

What was the most difficult aspect of the challenge, and how did your team overcome it?

Adelin: The most challenging aspect was defining the project's specific needs. We identified a common pain point: important information often gets buried among messages, leading to repeated explanations and reduced efficiency. Through brainstorming sessions with our team and the challenge organisers, streamlining access to past communications and documents could enhance collaboration.

Paul: Of course, we all had to adapt very fast to new technologies, but the main challenge for us was narrowing down the number of use cases and shaping the solution to bring real value and enhance collaboration as seamlessly as possible.

Were there any unexpected obstacles that required you to change your approach?

Adelin: During the challenge, we encountered unexpected obstacles that prompted us to adjust our approach. Firstly, we decided to switch from a pop-up interface to a side panel to ensure that information remained accessible. Additionally, we refined how we connected with Gmail and Google Drive for better integration. Our team was flexible throughout the implementation process, allowing us to adapt quickly and contributing to a smooth development experience.

Paul: During the challenge, we faced unexpected hurdles that led us to adjust our strategy several times. We replaced the pop-up interface with a side panel for easier access to information and improved our integration with Gmail and G-Drive. Remaining flexible in thinking and regarding team duties allowed us to adapt on the go and reach our goal.

Which aspects of your project do you believe contributed most to your victory?

Adelin: Aside from the AI technology that made it all possible, the main selling point of our project was its ease of use. Making the solution a Chrome extension enabled users to have organic conversations with the bot regarding emails and documents. This seamless integration significantly enhanced the user experience and contributed to our victory.

Paul: Our key advantages were seamless integration and ease of use.

How do you envision the solutions you developed being applied in real-world scenarios, possibly within Qubiz projects?

Adelin: Our solution is versatile enough to benefit individual users. Integrating it into real-world scenarios should always aim to provide added value, enhance personal productivity or reduce searching times.

Paul: I see our solution being applied in real-world scenarios in companies with many documentation and written processes. When looking in-house, I envision it being a good fit for any project that wants to chat with and about its documents and processes naturally.

What was your favourite part of the hackathon, and how did it feel to see your hard work rewarded with a win?

Adelin: My favourite part of the hackathon was the brainstorming sessions. I loved the opportunity to problem-solve on the spot and explore various root causes and solutions for the same challenge. This collaborative environment fostered creativity and allowed us to leverage each team member's insights, ultimately enhancing our project's development. Seeing our hard work rewarded with a win felt incredibly fulfilling and validated our collective efforts.

Paul: My favourite part of the event was the first second after submitting the project. It's hard to describe the rush, the feeling of accomplishment when you look back and see how it all came together, where you started and how far you've come within a single weekend. To top it all, winning the challenge was a fantastic validation of all our hard work and the effort we've poured into it. With or without the prize, participating in itself is such a rewarding experience. I can't wait for the next one.