COEUR d’ALENE — How can educators and employers leverage artificial intelligence in a way that allows them to focus on human connection? 

What practical steps can North Idaho College take to integrate AI into classrooms and improve learning outcomes?

Those were the kinds of questions tackled during Saturday’s inaugural AI Hackathon at NIC, which brought together high school and college students, educators, industry professionals and community members.

“What an incredible gift we have in education and industry working together,” said Marita Diffenbaugh, NIC’s director of innovation. “What starts as a question or a problem to solve can turn into meaningful partnerships and relevant learning.” 

About 50 people formed teams to brainstorm ideas, build prototypes and prepare presentations before pitching their concepts to a panel of judges, with prizes up for grabs. 

The event went beyond expectations, Diffenbaugh said. 

"We had a beautiful and productive day," she added.

Blake Sanchez, an NIC student and participant, said it was exciting to see how people from different backgrounds approached the questions.

“They came with their unique perspectives, skills and experiences," he said.

The AI Hackathon was presented by NIC X-Labs, a program launched last year to connect students, educators and employers through hands-on learning and real-world problem solving.  

The "hackathon" format was intended to make emerging technology more approachable while encouraging experimentation.

The event was co-organized by the University of Idaho Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics, reflecting a growing partnership between education and industry aimed at preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce shaped by automation, robotics and AI itself. 

"This is just the beginning of what NIC X-labs can offer as a connector and inspiring strategy to use the bridge that we’ve built between education and jobs in our community," Diffenbaugh said.