Liana Technologies, a company providing marketing and communications software, recognized the potential of Generative AI (GenAI) and AI agents to drive product innovation and developer productivity. The company aimed to understand how to integrate GenAI into its product offerings effectively and how to introduce AI agents to support and empower its developers. By exploring these advancements, Liana Technologies needed a hands-on approach to demystify GenAI and integrate its capabilities into their daily workflows.
By partnering with Eficode, Liana Technologies conducted a two-day AI hackathon and training program for their company. This initiative equipped their teams with practical AI skills and helped discover innovative ways to use GenAI, ensuring Liana Technologies stays ahead in the MarTech industry. Developers from Evermade, a subsidiary of Liana Technologies and a leading WordPress agency in Finland, also joined the hackathon.
Liana Technologies is a marketing and communications software company that develops and sells cloud-based Marketing and PR services for corporate use. With a diverse clientele in media, automotive, and professional services, Liana Technologies is no stranger to innovation. However, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), posed a challenge that required attention.
GenAI-driven tools, such as LLMs, are reshaping the marketing technology landscape. Liana Technologies recognized the potential but also saw the complexity of adoption. Beyond understanding the technicalities, the company wanted to make GenAI accessible to everyone involved in producing great software. The goal was to foster a culture of AI literacy and innovation throughout the product and development organizations.
Liana Technologies saw two ways GenAI could be part of its future. First, they could integrate GenAI capabilities into their products to provide a better customer experience and more competitive product offerings. Second, they could introduce AI agents in software development to increase developer experience, employee satisfaction, and overall productivity.
Compounding this challenge was the competitive urgency to remain at the forefront of marketing technology. Liana Technologies sought a partner who could provide a hands-on, practical approach to AI education. Their search led them to Eficode, whose engineering-focused materials and reputation for actionable AI and DevOps solutions aligned with Liana Technologies’ needs.
Eficode designed and delivered a two-day AI hackathon and training program tailored to the organization’s needs. The objective was to empower Liana Technologies’ employees across diverse teams to understand GenAI’s potential, explore its practical applications, and develop solutions to real-world problems within their workflows. The event included approximately 30 people working in various roles, from leadership, software development and product management.
Day 1 focused on demystifying AI concepts. Through interactive presentations and discussions, participants gained insights into the fundamentals of LLMs and the mathematics behind AI tools. The team also explored practical tools and environments, such as Google’s AI platforms, which were pre-configured to allow participants to experiment with real data safely and effectively.
On Day 2, the focus shifted to hands-on experimentation and solution-building. Participants worked in cross-functional teams to prototype AI-powered tools addressing real business challenges. Eficode’s consultants provided expert guidance, helping the teams conceptualize and implement their ideas while emphasizing collaboration and creativity.
One of the workshop’s key successes was its emphasis on real-world applications. Rather than prescribing solutions, Eficode encouraged teams to identify challenges relevant to their roles and explore how AI could address them.
By the end of the workshop, participants not only built functional prototypes but also gained the confidence to integrate AI into their daily tasks.
Eficode ensured all AI tools were implemented securely and aligned with Liana Technologies’ data protection requirements throughout the process. The hackathon was conducted without compromising sensitive information using enterprise-level agreements and localized environments.
Eficode’s tailored, collaborative approach equipped Liana Technologies with the knowledge, tools, and momentum needed to make AI a transformative force across their organization.
“Thanks to the hands-on hackathon and expert guidance, we could demystify AI and see its real potential across all our teams. It’s no longer just a buzzword—it’s a practical tool we can leverage to solve real business challenges.”
— Lauri Juntunen, Chief Product Officer at Liana Technologies
The two-day hackathon and training proved to be a transformative experience for Liana Technologies, delivering tangible outcomes and setting the foundation for broader AI adoption across the organization. By empowering employees with practical AI skills and enabling them to create real-world solutions, Eficode helped demystify AI and its capabilities for Liana Technologies.
During the workshop, participants developed multiple prototypes across various departments, demonstrating AI’s immediate value and showcasing the creative potential for Liana Technologies:
The hackathon had far-reaching effects beyond the immediate prototypes:
The feedback from Liana Technologies’ team underscored the success of the initiative. Employees appreciated the practical approach and the emphasis on empowering teams to develop solutions. One participant noted,
“This was the first time I truly understood what AI can do for my daily work—it’s no longer just a buzzword.”
—A quote from one of Liana Technologies’ hackathon participants
The hackathon's success addressed Liana Technologies’ immediate objectives and opened doors to broader opportunities for integrating AI into their business strategy. With the prototypes and knowledge gained during the workshop, Liana Technologies is poised to build on this momentum and further explore AI's transformative potential.