TL;DR

This article explains why traditional AI training often fails and how hands-on formats like hackathons drive true adoption, engagement, and ROI. You’ll learn what AI enablement really means, how to run a successful hackathon for both technical and non-technical teams, and how to make the outcomes stick long after the event.

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AI Enablement Starts With Hands-On Experience, Not Another PowerPoint Deck

For many companies, investing in AI tools was supposed to be a game changer. But for too many decision-makers, the reality is frustratingly different: the tools are there, but adoption is low. Teams are either not using them at all or barely scratching the surface of what's possible.

So, how do you turn passive exposure into real engagement? How do you transform curiosity into capability?

The answer: AI hands-on training, and more specifically, a hackathon.

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The Problem is not the AI. It's the Lack of Enablement

Even the most powerful AI platforms can't succeed in a vacuum. You might have licenses for tools like UiPath, OpenAI, or Microsoft Copilot, but unless your team understands how these tools can solve their day-to-day problems, you won't see ROI.

Many teams are unsure how these technologies apply to their specific roles. They feel overwhelmed by abstract capabilities instead of empowered by practical applications.

That’s where AI enablement comes in.

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What Is AI Enablement?

AI enablement is the process of giving your workforce the tools, training, and confidence to incorporate AI into their workflows. It’s not about one-size-fits-all demos or lengthy whitepapers. It’s about:

  • Contextual learning: Tailoring AI use cases to specific departments or roles
  • Practical training: Getting your team hands-on experience in a safe, creative space
  • Internal champions: Creating a grassroots movement where early adopters help scale impact

AI enablement isn’t just IT’s job. It’s everyone’s responsibility and opportunity.

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Common Pitfalls in AI Training and How to Avoid Them

Many companies treat AI enablement like a checkbox. They roll out a few demos, share a tutorial, and hope teams will adopt the tools naturally. That rarely works.

  • Mistake 1: Assuming tech access equals understanding
  • Mistake 2: Relying on self-paced training without guidance
  • Mistake 3: No space for team collaboration or experimentation

Hackathons solve all three. They make learning active, social, and grounded in each team’s real work.

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Why AI Hands-On Training Is the Missing Link

When teams get to experiment with AI tools directly, everything changes. Concepts click. Skepticism fades. Creativity takes over.

That’s the power of AI hands-on training:

  • It lowers the stakes so people feel safe to explore and fail
  • It sparks ideas tied to their real work, not generic theory
  • It lets people immediately see how automation, copilots, and AI agents can apply to their roles

Training that encourages curiosity and experimentation beats top-down mandates every time.

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What Teams Learn From a 2-Day AI Hackathon

Here’s what most of our clients walk away with after just one hackathon:

  • Working AI prototypes (even from non-tech teams)
  • Team leads who emerge as internal AI champions
  • Real use cases for the tools their org already pays for

Real Example:
“We ran an AI hackathon for our finance and customer support teams. By day two, we had three working prototypes and one automation that saved 10+ hours per week.” — Head of Innovation, Global Services Co.

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So, What’s the Best Format for Hands-On AI Enablement?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: most companies default to the wrong approaches.

  • The consultant approach: Hiring outside experts to build solutions without internal buy-in. This often leads to shelfware and short-lived excitement
  • The self-serve approach: Releasing tools and telling teams to figure it out on their own. Most won’t

What works better? A structured, creative, and collaborative environment where your people get to:

  • Learn directly from product experts
  • Apply the tools to real-world challenges
  • Build team camaraderie while exploring future-forward solutions

In short: a hackathon.

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Why a Hackathon Is a Game Changer for AI Enablement

Hackathons aren't just for developers or startups. In the enterprise, they serve as powerful catalysts for:

  • Cross-functional collaboration between teams who normally don’t interact
  • Creative problem-solving that uncovers real, usable AI solutions
  • Culture change that embraces experimentation and agility

Whether virtual or in-person, a well-designed hackathon can:

  • Provide AI hands-on training in a fun, non-intimidating format
  • Help identify internal champions who can drive future adoption
  • Deliver immediate prototypes that prove value

Don’t take our word for it. BeMyApp and Hackathon.com have worked with hundreds of enterprise teams to create high-impact, scalable hackathon programs.

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AI Enablement FAQs

“We already bought AI tools. Why isn’t anyone using them?”
Many companies spend serious money on licenses for tools like Microsoft Copilot, UiPath, or OpenAI and see little adoption. The problem isn’t the tech—it’s the lack of enablement. Gartner reports that 80% of AI projects stall before production, mostly due to lack of user adoption.

“What makes a hackathon better than traditional training?”
Retention for hands-on learning is around 75%, compared to just 5% for passive formats like lectures (National Training Laboratories). Hackathons are active, social, and contextual—everything that’s missing from standard onboarding.

“Do hackathons work for non-technical employees?”
Yes. Most modern AI tools are low-code or no-code. We’ve seen HR, finance, and ops teams build working tools with ChatGPT, Google Sheets, and automation platforms with no dev background needed.

“What kind of results should we expect after a hackathon?”
Expect prototypes, energized champions, and fast wins. In our experience, 30% of hackathon projects evolve into real pilots. Over 80% of participants report increased confidence using AI after just one event.

“How do we make the momentum stick?”
Post-event support is key. Host office hours, showcase results, and start a champions group. McKinsey found companies with internal AI communities are 3x more likely to sustain adoption.

“What’s the ROI of doing a hackathon?”
One client saved 15 hours per week with a single prototype. Deloitte says AI-literate teams see a 20–30% productivity lift. The cost of a hackathon is small compared to months of unused licenses.

“How do I get leadership on board?”
Focus on ROI and risk mitigation. A hackathon helps prove value without needing a massive investment. Highlight competitors already doing it and frame it as a low-risk, high-impact pilot.

“Can we run a remote hackathon?”
Yes. We’ve seen remote formats drive more participation, not less. With Zoom, Slack, Miro, and async workflows, it’s easier than ever to engage distributed teams.

“What if my team isn’t creative enough for this?”
You don’t need wild ideas, you need to solve your own problems. Ask “What do you do repeatedly that’s boring, manual, or error-prone?” Start there.

“Which AI tools should we use?”
Some favorites from past events:

Choose tools that align with your workflows, not just the trend of the week.

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How to Get Started

If you're ready to finally see AI enablement take root in your organization, don’t wait for adoption to happen organically.

Create the environment. Remove the risk. Make it fun.

Start by hosting an AI-focused hackathon or hands-on workshop. You can run it virtually, in-person, or hybrid. Tailor it to your teams, your tools, and your goals.

Explore how we can help:

Give your teams more than a login to a tool. Give them a reason to care, a way to explore, and a chance to build.

Because when people are empowered, AI delivers.

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