Sandvik Pioneers “Promptathon” to Equip Workforce for the Age of AI
Investing in the ability to effectively communicate wiht artificial intelligence is becoming as crucial as any traditional professional skill, as demonstrated by Sandvik’s recent initiative to bolster “prompt literacy” among its employees.
Sandvik, a leading materials technology company, hosted its inaugural “Promptathon” in December, a unique event designed to empower its workforce to master the art of crafting effective prompts for AI systems. Unlike conventional hackathons focused on coding, this event centered on formulating precise questions and instructions to address real-world business challenges.
“Initiatives like the Sandvik Promptathon show how we’re advancing our strategic objectives and shaping the industry’s future. I’m impressed by the achievements it delivered,” stated Sandvik’s CEO and President, Stefan Widing.
For two hours, teams from across the globe utilized Microsoft Copilot to tackle issues ranging from improving profitability and operational efficiency to reimagining workplace collaboration. submissions were evaluated based on their alignment with long-term strategy,potential for tangible value creation,originality,and scalability across the association.
The Key to Effective AI communication
The Promptathon commenced with a masterclass led by Usman Afzal, Solution Architect and productivity Coach at Microsoft, who shared actionable strategies for maximizing Copilot’s capabilities. Afzal emphasized that while not every prompt requires all elements, incorporating relevant components substantially enhances outcomes and ensures AI responses remain grounded in practical business needs.
“sandvik Game Master” Takes Top Honors
The winning team, comprised of Flávio Lopes, Gabriel Pereira, Gabriela Sousa, Gustavo Cunha, Leonardo Ferreira, and Matheus Oliveira from Brazil, presented “Sandvik Game Master,” a concept that reimagines onboarding and training. Their innovative approach transforms complex processes into engaging, gamified “worlds,” accelerating competence building and reinforcing a safety-first culture.
“I would say that this is a bold, human-centered innovation that empowers teams and drives Sandvik forward,” Widing remarked while congratulating the winning team.
the rise of AI as a standard workplace tool necessitates a shift in skillset. By prioritizing prompt literacy,Sandvik is equipping its employees to harness the full potential of these technologies while preserving critical human judgment and expertise.The question, as many industry leaders now recognize, is not if AI will transform the way we work, but how quickly organizations can adapt and learn to collaborate effectively with it.
Explanation of Changes & How Questions are Answered:
* Why: Sandvik hosted the Promptathon to equip its workforce with the skills needed to effectively communicate with and utilize AI tools, specifically Microsoft Copilot, in their daily work. The company recognizes the increasing importance of “prompt literacy” in the age of AI.
* Who: The event involved teams from across Sandvik globally, led by CEO Stefan Widing and with a masterclass from Microsoft’s Usman afzal. The winning team was from Brazil: Flávio Lopes, Gabriel Pereira, Gabriela Sousa, Gustavo Cunha, Leonardo Ferreira, and Matheus Oliveira.
* What: The Promptathon was a two-hour event where teams used Microsoft Copilot to address business challenges through well-crafted prompts. The winning submission was “Sandvik Game master,”
