AI Hackathon Focuses on Agentic Discovery
Under the title Agentic Discovery Hackathon – How Autonomous AI Systems Are Transforming Research and Discovery, the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network will host a two-day event in Budapest on January 15–16. The hackathon aims to explore how agent-based artificial intelligence systems are revolutionizing scientific research and discovery processes.
Participants at the event will collaborate to develop agentic AI-based research concepts and workflows, fostering synergy between AI specialists and researchers across various scientific fields, according to a statement from HUN-REN. This collaboration reflects a growing recognition of AI’s potential to change traditional research methodologies.
The central theme of the hackathon is Agentic Discovery. To facilitate deeper understanding and engagement, organizers will provide participants with access to the ADP AI-Scientist platform, which teams can utilize freely throughout the competition. This platform integrates a multitude of AI-driven tools that span the entire research lifecycle, from initial idea generation to final publication, all while adhering to ethical and transparent guidelines.
This hackathon is envisioned as an experimental space to investigate how agentic AI can serve as a credible and effective element within scientific research. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary cooperation and practical solutions that can be directly implemented in research environments.
Teams will showcase their findings through formal presentations, evaluated by a professional jury led by Roland Jakab, CEO of HUN-REN. Other jury members include András Benczúr, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory at HUN-REN SZTAKI; Zsolt Szalay, Associate Professor and Head of Department at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics; and Gábor Kertész, Deputy Dean of the John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics at Óbuda University.
The top three teams will have the opportunity to present their work at the HUN-REN AI Symposium 2026, while members of the winning team will also gain access to the prestigious Helmholtz AI Conference, an international event for AI professionals.
HUN-REN underscores that the hackathon aligns with its broader strategy of positioning artificial intelligence not merely as a tool but as a transformative aspect of research infrastructure. The long-term vision is for AI to become an active, integrated partner in scientific work.
Roland Jakab highlighted that artificial intelligence has transitioned from a future promise to a defining force of the present. He emphasized HUN-REN’s commitment to leveraging this potential systematically by fostering a unified, collaboration-based research environment. The ultimate goal is to establish Hungary among Europe’s top ten innovators by 2030.
As AI continues to evolve rapidly, events like the Agentic Discovery Hackathon signal a shift towards more collaborative and innovative research practices, underscoring the crucial role of technology in advancing scientific inquiry and discovery.
For more information about HUN-REN, visit HUN-REN.
To learn about the ADP AI-Scientist platform, check out ADP AI-Scientist.
For details on the Helmholtz AI Conference, visit Helmholtz AI.
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