Innovating at Speed: Nexxen’s Journey through the GenAI Hackathon
At Nexxen, we recently held a unique event at our Tel Aviv Engineering site: Nexxathon TLV. This two-day hackathon focused on Generative AI and the use of OpenAI’s API, bringing together a diverse group of our team members. From developers to data scientists, product managers to BI experts, more than 70 of our colleagues collaborated in an environment that fostered both learning and creativity.
Nexxathon TLV was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity for our teams to deepen their understanding of AI technologies and explore practical applications in our work. In this blog, we’ll share insights from the hackathon, discuss the innovative solutions developed and reflect on how this event showcases Nexxen’s commitment to ongoing technological growth.
The Practical Choice of OpenAI’s API
Our decision to center Nexxathon TLV around OpenAI’s API was driven by a clear objective: to enable our teams to create tangible, working AI implementations within a limited timeframe. This choice distinguished our hackathon from others, where the focus often leans more towards conceptual designs and presentations.
OpenAI’s API provided an accessible yet powerful tool that allowed our teams to see their ideas come to life. It simplified the learning curve, making it possible for our diverse teams to not only conceptualize, but also materialize their AI-driven projects. This approach was pivotal in moving beyond the theoretical and into the realm of practical, usable solutions — a cornerstone of Nexxen’s ethos in embracing and implementing new technologies.
It simplified the learning curve, making it possible for our diverse teams to not only conceptualize, but also materialize their AI-driven projects.
It simplified the learning curve, making it possible for our diverse teams to not only conceptualize, but also materialize their AI-driven projects.
The Hackathon Experience
The format of Nexxathon TLV was carefully designed to maximize productivity and innovation within the short span of two days. Day one was dedicated to planning – a crucial phase where teams brainstormed and laid out their strategies. This initial stage set the foundation for what was to come, allowing each group to clarify their ideas and approaches.
Day two was all about execution. This is where the magic happened, with each team transforming their plans into reality. The diverse makeup of the teams – including members from Data, Webapps, IT and BI – proved to be one of the event’s greatest strengths. By bringing together individuals from various domains, we not only fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, but also enhanced the overall camaraderie within the company. This cross-functional collaboration is essential in a field as interdisciplinary as AI, and it was inspiring to see how different perspectives and expertise contributed to innovative solutions.
Spotlight on Innovation
Nexxathon TLV was a platform for groundbreaking ideas, where each team brought something unique to the table. A remarkable example was the winning team’s creation of a JavaScript tool for enhancing user interaction within our UI. This tool allows users to get context-sensitive insights on specific terms just by selecting and highlighting them in any application.
Equally impressive was the development of ‘Segmentor,’ a clever tool aimed at aiding advertisers in selecting the right audience segments. By uploading their creative content and a brief campaign description, Segmentor utilizes data from our internal systems to suggest the most effective audience targeting strategies.
These innovations illustrate Nexxen’s commitment to practical and impactful technological solutions. The hackathon wasn’t just about ideas; it was about turning those ideas into functional tools that can enhance our operations and user experience.
The hackathon wasn't just about ideas; it was about turning those ideas into functional tools that can enhance our operations and user experience.
The hackathon wasn't just about ideas; it was about turning those ideas into functional tools that can enhance our operations and user experience.
Integrating AI into Nexxen’s Future
The success of Nexxathon TLV goes beyond the two days of the event –it marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nexxen’s journey with AI technology. The hackathon’s innovative outcomes are stepping stones towards integrating AI more deeply into our products and operations.
The tools developed are not just hackathon projects, they are prototypes of what will soon be integral features of our offerings. Their integration into our existing systems will enhance the user experience and operational efficiency, illustrating our commitment to not only exploring AI, but making it a core component of our business strategy.
This initiative is a clear indication of Nexxen’s future direction, one in which AI is a fundamental part of how we operate and innovate. As we move forward, these AI-driven tools and methodologies will play a crucial role in shaping our products, services and customer interactions.
In addition to developing AI solutions, the hackathon played a pivotal role in enhancing our organizational dynamics –proving that when we work together without barriers, we can achieve remarkable things. Nexxathon TLV exemplified Nexxen’s commitment to innovative collaboration. This hackathon not only showcased our technical expertise but also promoted a transformative company culture. As we build on these achievements, Nexxen is poised for a future where teamwork and technology continue to drive our success in the industry.
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