GenAI Challenge: The most innovative ideas have been awarded

The ETH Library's GenAI Challenge has demonstrated the diverse ways in which generative AI is used at ETH Zurich and its potential.

24.06.2025

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From left to right: Patrick Frei, Sarah Gutmann, Tim Fischer, and Dr. Claudia Schlegel (1st place, staff category); Hongyuan Zhang (1st place, student category); Wenqian Yang and Dr. Anton Savov (2nd place, staff category); Jianzhou Yao (2nd place, student category); Daniel Flück (UTL, jury). — From left to right: Patrick Frei, Sarah Gutmann, Tim Fischer, and Dr Claudia Schlegel (1st place, staff category); Hongyuan Zhang (1st place, student category); Wenqian Yang and Dr Anton Savov (2nd place, staff category); Jianzhou Yao (2nd place, student category); Daniel Flück (UTL, jury). Missing from the picture: Dr Johannes Schmitt (2nd place, staff category); Monica Andrea Garcia Otalora (1st place, student category) and two jury members: Dr Alexis Shakas (D-EAPS) and Roman Schurter (ETH Library)

The GenAI Challenge, organised by the ETH Library, concluded with a festive awards ceremony on 17 June, where the most outstanding submissions were honoured. The competition invited students and staff of ETH Zurich to share their best practices in using generative AI (genAI) tools, with the goal of promoting knowledge exchange and innovation across the ETH community.

A wide range of use cases

Staff submissions showcased a wide range of applications, from visualising complex mathematical concepts with interactive apps, to simulating doctor-patient interactions or enhancing architectural design with sensors and AI. Meanwhile, the best student use cases focused on automating the digitalisation of handwritten notes and creating a learning aid to accompany lecture notes. What united the winning entries was their creative response to existing research and learning needs.

Honouring innovation

The top contributions in each category were awarded Projekt Neptun vouchers worth up to CHF 500. The ceremony not only recognised the most innovative ideas but also provided a platform for participants to exchange insights and discuss the role of genAI in research, learning, and daily workflows at ETH.

Congratulations to all winners and a big thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping a thoughtful and inspiring use of generative AI at ETH Zurich!

These are the winners of the GenAI Challenge

Staff category

1. Dr Claudia Schlegel, Tim Fischer, Patrick Frei, Sarah Gutmann:
AI-based role play for doctor-patient interactions in medical training

2. Dr Johannes Schmitt:
Code-generation with Claude AI for the visualisation of mathematical concepts

2. Dr Anton Savov, Wenqian Yang:
Architectural modelling with sensors and genAI

Student category

1. Hongyuan Zhang, Monica Andrea Garcia Otalora:
Transcription of hand-written notes with genAI

2. Jianzhou Yao:
Lecture slides annotation tool