Written by Utkarsh Chaudry, Future Leaders & Innovators Graduate
On 5 November, we hosted our first Jam with PartyRock event – a hands-on, hackathon-style experience designed to give our university community the chance to experiment with AI and tackle real-world challenges. The goal was simple yet ambitious: to build confidence and capability in using AI responsibly.
We invited staff and students to create working AI demos aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Strategy 2030. By doing so, we aimed to spark creativity, collaboration, and practical understanding of how generative AI can support sustainability and innovation.
We brought together over 80 colleagues and students from across our Devon and Cornwall campuses for a day of discussion, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. With support from our partners at AWS, we created a safe space for experimentation and discussion. Using PartyRock, a playground powered by Amazon Bedrock, attendees built innovative GenAI apps quickly and easily. It was fast and fun way to learn about generative AI without the barriers of complex coding.
My Role in Delivering the Event
As a graduate on the Future Leaders and Innovators Scheme, I was involved in the planning and execution of the event. My role involved:
- Recruiting, supporting, and coordinating mentors, ensuring they were ready to guide participants throughout the day.
- Supporting event planning, promotion, and logistics, including creating briefs for stakeholders and preparing presentations to keep everything running smoothly.
- Working across teams and with AWS to align priorities and deliver a seamless experience.
This experience enabled me to practice working with diverse stakeholders on a cross-functional project and taught me how to balance priorities, communicate clearly, and keep everyone aligned toward the desired outcomes.
What Did We Achieve?
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! We saw a 20% increase in participants’ willingness to experiment with AI tools. The event also achieved a strong Net Promoter Score of 8.66/10, suggesting attendees would recommend similar events. We heard that participants loved the student-staff collaboration and the chance to get hands-on with AI in a safe, supportive environment.
For the University, this event opened doors for constructive dialogue about AI, giving our community a space to explore opportunities and challenges. For participants, it was about building confidence, gaining exposure, and understanding how AI can shape future careers.
Events like this are more than just fun – they’re shaping the way we think about technology, sustainability, and employability.
Want to Learn More About AI at Exeter?
- Visit our Enabling AI website and explore resources from the Digital team
- Join our AI Communities of Practice – we’re committed to helping our community understand and harness the power of AI
Take a look at our 2030 Digital Strategy.
Read our previous blog post to learn about Agile on the Beach 2025.