IBM-Granite-Hackathon

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have a question not answered here? Ask during Office Hours or reach out to the course instructors.

General

What is the UVM–IBM Innovation Sprint?

The UVM–IBM Generative Programming Innovation Sprint is a week-long (April 12–18) project experience where teams build scoped contributions using IBM Granite workflows. Teams kick off in person on April 12 and close with final presentations on April 18.

Who can participate?

All students enrolled in Advanced Programming at UVM are eligible and encouraged to participate.

Do I need prior experience with AI or machine learning?

No prior AI/ML experience is required. The Learning Granite page provides a cookbook-first path, and kickoff includes guided onboarding.

How many people can be on a team?

Teams of 2–5 are recommended. Check Teams for current guidance.

What are the project tracks?

Teams can focus on:

Technical Setup

How do I get access to IBM Granite?

API credentials and access to watsonx.ai will be provided to participating teams at or before kickoff on April 12. Do not create a paid account on your own.

What programming languages can I use?

You can use any language that can make HTTP requests or use IBM’s SDKs. IBM provides an official Python SDK (ibm-watsonx-ai) and a REST API. Python is the most popular choice.

Can I use other AI tools or APIs alongside Granite?

Yes. Your project should center on Granite-related techniques, but supporting libraries/frameworks are allowed.

What if I run into rate limits or API errors?

First, check the IBM watsonx.ai status page. If the issue persists, bring it to Office Hours or contact the instructors. Teams are given shared credentials, so be mindful of usage.

Do I need a GPU to run Granite models?

No. You will be accessing Granite via IBM’s cloud API (watsonx.ai), so no local GPU is required. If you want to run models locally via Hugging Face, a GPU helps but is not mandatory for smaller models.

Project & Repository

How do I create my team’s repository?

Fork this repository on GitHub to create your team’s copy. Name it clearly (for example, granite-sprint-team-awesome) and add all team members as collaborators.

What should my repository contain?

At minimum:

Can our project be private?

Your team repository can be public or private. Public repos are encouraged so everyone can learn from each other. The final presentation will be shared with the class regardless.

Is there a specific tech stack required?

No required stack. Use the tools and frameworks that best fit your project. IBM Granite access will be through watsonx.ai APIs.

Presentations

How long is the final presentation?

Presentation length will be announced before April 18. See Final Presentation.

What should our presentation cover?

See the Final Presentation page for full guidelines. At minimum, cover: the problem you solved, how you used IBM Granite, a live demo or video demo, and lessons learned.

Will there be judging or prizes?

Yes, there will be judging for Best Project and Runner Up. Prizes will be a Granite sticker and being highlighted in press releases and posts about this hackathon —

Help & Support

Where can I get help during the sprint?

What are the key class work periods during sprint week?

Advanced Programming in-person work blocks are Tuesday/Thursday from 10:05–11:20 and 4:25–5:40, with additional asynchronous team time.

Is there a photo/video notice for participants?

Yes. Event registration may include consent language for photography/video recording and use in recap/promotional materials.

What if our team has a conflict and can’t attend a session?

Reach out to the instructors as soon as possible. Most resources will be recorded or documented here.

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