Build With Claude: Hands-On AI Workshop and Hackathon for UIC Business Students
Introduction
On Friday, May 1, UIC Business partnered with Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS) to host Build With Claude, a hands-on workshop and mini hackathon designed to explore real-world applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare and business.
The event welcomed approximately 75 students for a full day of learning, building, and collaboration across two campus locations. The morning workshop, held in Student Center East, featured live demonstrations, practical use cases, and an interactive “vibe coding” session that introduced students to AI-driven problem solving.
The afternoon transitioned into a competitive hackathon in Douglass Hall, where student teams applied what they learned to develop innovative solutions. Projects were evaluated by a panel of UIC Business faculty, including Professors Michael Choi, Selva Nadarajah, Ranga Chandrasekaran, and Sid Bhattacharyya, who served as judges.
About the Award
The event was led by guest speaker Christian Somora, who was joined by a team of five additional professionals from Hopscotch Primary Care. Together, they provided industry insight into how AI is actively shaping decision-making, operations, and patient care.
The winning team was awarded a Claude Max subscription for each member, recognizing their creativity, technical execution, and real-world applicability.
Build With Claude reflects UIC Business’s continued commitment to equipping students with emerging technical skills and hands-on experiences that prepare them to lead in an increasingly AI-driven workforce.
Hackathon Winners
| Winning Team | 1st Runner-Up | 2nd Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Rithvik Hari Prasad | Ramyashree Keshavmurthy | Manav Mehta |
| Neeraj Vijayakumar P. | Lavanya Takale | Albert Murphy |
| Dheeraj Malle Rudrappa | Kiran Kumar Srinivas | Mahaalaxmi Ganesan |
| Sanjana Venkatesh | Hrithik Angadi | |
| Alexander Carrillo |