UIC Business Students Earn Top Honors at National GenAI Competition
Leading the future of AI innovation from the heart of Chicago.
UIC Students Shine at National GenAI Competition
UIC Business students are proving that the future of artificial intelligence isn’t just being studied—it’s being shaped right here in Chicago.
At the STJ Prompt Engineering Showdown, a national GenAI competition hosted by AWS Skills to Jobs and powered by CodeSignal on October 29, several UIC students earned top placements among more than 200 participants nationwide.
Through a live, four-part GenAI challenge, competitors solved real-time AI tasks under pressure, demonstrating their technical expertise, creativity, and readiness to lead in an AI-driven business world. UIC’s top finishers—Leslie Sandoval (2nd place), Emaad Munnem (4th), Basil Syed (5th), and Vatsav Patel (6th)—stood out for their innovation and skill, exemplifying the strength of UIC’s data and technology-focused programs.
Inside the Competition
Participants completed a series of timed prompt-engineering challenges designed to test their ability to think critically, respond creatively, and use GenAI tools to generate real-world business solutions. Alongside the competition, students gained insights from AWS and national employers about the evolving skill sets needed to succeed in AI and cloud careers.
Top finishers received lifetime access to CodeSignal Learn, while all participants enjoyed four months of premium access to the CodeSignal platform and unlimited use of Cosmo, an AI study assistant.
Training and development opportunities extended beyond the event through exclusive AWS modules, including:
- AWS Prompting for Everyone with Amazon Bedrock (5 hours)
- Machine Learning with Amazon SageMaker (12 hours)
- Building GenAI Applications (coming soon)
Key Takeaways
- Prompt engineering is emerging as a vital skill in AI and cloud innovation.
- Real-time GenAI problem-solving fosters creativity, adaptability, and collaboration.
- National competitions provide powerful platforms for UIC students to apply classroom
Special Thanks
UIC extends appreciation to Craig von Collenberg and Jay Nappy from AWS for their leadership and support, Stéphanie Durand from CodeSignal for enabling a seamless competition experience, and UIC Lecturer Mustafa Mohammed for his mentorship and guidance throughout the event.
Proudly Representing UIC on a National Stage
Through opportunities like the STJ Prompt Engineering Showdown, UIC Business continues to empower students to connect knowledge with real-world impact—strengthening the bridge between business education and the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.