Prompt-a-thon
Prompt-a-what?
A Prompt-a-thon, like a Hack-a-thon, is an event where people work collaboratively over a period of time to develop a solution to an idea or challenge. But instead of writing code or assembling hardware on your own, the Prompt-a-thon is about using generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT for text & program code or Stable Diffusion for images) to get answers that will be used to develop the solution. Why 'Prompt'? All participants will try to get the most meaningful and useful answers (output 'prompts') from Generative AI through clever and coordinated inputs (input 'prompts').
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI, simply put, is artificial intelligence that is capable of creating new content that looks, sounds or behaves like human results. Imagine you have a machine that has seen thousands of pictures of landscapes. Over time, the machine learns what landscapes look like and can then create new landscape images that look like they were created by artists, even though they didn't exist before. An alternative capability is to create texts, for example: The AI learns over time from existing texts to create ones itself. The AI can then be used, for example, to write its own poems, to write newspaper articles or even to generate programme code. This is basically what Generative AI does - it learns from examples and then creates new, similar content. However, errors still occur in the process. For example, statements in texts may not be correct even though they sound plausible. Similarly, programme code can be output that does not work as claimed. Therefore, results must be carefully checked.
We are going to build on this and probably use OpenAI's Generative AI, ChatGPT, which is well known from the media. You will then give it input derived from your ideas or challenges. The outputs of ChatGPT are then the basis for creating solutions. Below you can see an example of a simple request:
What is planned?
With the help of one of the first Prompt-a-thons worldwide, we want to enter new territory together at the University of Hamburg and try out what Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT) is already capable of and where its limits lie. The goal is to discover the first data for promising and reflective strategies for using generative AI - and, of course, to have fun!
During the Prompt-a-thon, you will work collaboratively on projects set by us. Ideally, you will provide us as the organisers with your prompt logs afterwards, so that we can use them for further research!
Will I get anything out of it?
Sure, you can have fun and gain insights into how to work with generative AI, learn new things, make contacts and possibly even become a contributor to research papers. We will also provide a creativity boosting breakfast prompt ...
When?
28.02.23 from 8:00 to 10:15 a.m.
Where?
Main Campus University of Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1 (exact location will be announced with confirmation)
Who can participate and what do I need to bring?
Absolutely anyone can participate, regardless of their field of study. No special know-how is required, but please familiarise yourself briefly with ChatGPT in advance (here) and register! Please bring a laptop or similar with you.
How does the Prompt-a-thon work?
The event is a small attempt at an innovative format, which is why we have limited the duration. We will give you challenges and ideas in advance that best fit your proposals, so that we can get started right away. We envision repeating the format on a larger scale and with more time at a later date.
Current agenda
| Time | Agenda item |
| 08:00 - 08:10 | Introduction |
| 08:10 - 08:15 | Teambuilding |
| 08:15 - 09:30 | Prompt-a-thon |
| 09:30 - 10:10 | Prompt-a-thon marketplace, provision of logs and survey |
| 10:10 - 10:15 | Wrapping up |
What does it cost?
Absolutely nothing, everything is free of charge.
Can you give examples of challenges/ideas?
We are open to almost everything, examples that we could imagine are small games (digital, board games, ...), websites, apps, procedural models, puzzles, ...
Concrete example travel plan service: Create a travel plan based on the following individual travel aspects of mine: arrival time, means of transport, hotel location, opening hours, interests.
What scope should a challenge/idea have?
Ideally, your challenge/idea should be designed in such a way that a small team can complete the first version in about 1.5 hours during a normal working day. The challenge should be formulated in such a way that concrete results can be targeted with it.
What else do I need to know?
The number of places is limited, we reserve the right to select participants in case of 'overbooking'.
Who is organising the Prompt-a-thon?
Prof. Tilo Böhmann (initiator, coordination)
Prof. Dr. Eva Bittner (coordination)
Constantin von Brackel-Schmidt (organisation)
Emir Kucevic (organisation)
How can I register to participate?
Simply use the contact form below and fill in the fields or send an email to constantin.schmidt@uni-hamburg.de with the following points:
First Name:
Name:
Student/professional background:
Interests / Proposal for Prompting Challenge:
Eduroam access available: Yes / No
How can I register my team and myself to participate?
The best way to do this is to send an email to constantin.schmidt@uni-hamburg.de with the following points:
First Name:
Name:
Other people in the team:
Student/professional background of the team:
Interests / Proposal for Prompting Challenge:
Eduroam access available: Yes / No
Registration for the Prompt-a-thon (after pressing continue, also press send)