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Inside a 24-hour ‘vibe coding’ hackathon–here are my biggest takeaways
CNBC correspondent Ernestine Siu attended an AI hackathon.
Courtesy of Ernestine Siu
I like to spend most of my weekends taking workout classes with friends, exploring new restaurants or vegging out on the couch with a movie on. The past weekend, however, was unique. Instead of the usual routine, I chose to immerse myself in a 24-hour ‘vibe coding’ hackathon.
I attended one of Singapore’s biggest in-person hackathons ever, which was sponsored and supported by AI heavyweights from around the world including OpenAI, Cursor, Anthropic, Google DeepMind and more.
The event took place on a university campus from about 9 a.m. on Saturday to Sunday noon. Over 400 people participated, ranging from highly experienced engineers to first-timers. The goal was simple: build something from scratch with the help of artificial intelligence.
“Use your imagination… build something unhinged. Build something wacky,” said Agrim Singh, one of the event’s organizers and the co-founder of Niyam AI.
Several teams really took that advice to heart.
Some standout projects included F**Yu.AI, an AI-enabled productivity app that “bullies you into greatness,” by calling users on their cell phones to yell at them to complete tasks, and RizzedIn, a dating site that helps connect “career-minded individuals.”
Some members of the winning teams with CNBC correspondent, Ernestine Siu (right).
Courtesy of Nicholas Cheng
By the end of the weekend, about 150 projects were submitted. The winner – an AI-powered whiteboarding tool that allows users to draw using just their hand movements tracked through a webcam — took home prizes worth over $50,000 Singapore dollars (about $39,000).
The second and third place winners created a human-versus-AI speed game and a “Netflix for corporate training” tool that makes compliance training videos more engaging for employees.
Inside a 24-hour hackathon
As someone without a technical background, I was nervous entering the event but excited to meet the hackathon community. I knew I had to optimize my chances of building something successfully by teaming up with people who were much more technical than me.
Through Discord, I found my team for the hackathon: Gabrielle Ong who has a product development background, Aung Maung who has a deep tech background, Ninna Cao who has a product design background and Jay Chen who has a software engineering background. What did I offer? Ideas, my storytelling abilities and vibes.
Participants filled a lecture hall at the Singapore University of Technology and Design campus during the hackathon.
Courtesy of Nicholas Cheng
We bonded over a shared desire to preserve the legacies of our grandparents. So, we built Heirloom — a digital time capsule which can be used to capture and store family stories and recipes, so that they can be passed down for generations to come.
We spent all of Saturday working on transforming our idea into a product. Some of us stayed up the entire night working on the project — while others (me) unfortunately didn’t have the stamina to do so.
We were trying to do a bit of a count … And we found people in like random lecture rooms. It was just the funniest [thing] … It was like catching wild Pokemon.
Sherry Jiang
Co-founder, Peek
When I got back to the campus on Sunday morning, I saw people sleeping on benches, on the floor and just about everywhere, while others were still making last minute adjustments before submitting their projects for judging.
An estimated 70 people stayed overnight to work on their project, said Sherry Jiang, one of the event organizers and the co-founder of fintech app Peek.
“We were trying to do a bit of a count … And we found people in like random lecture rooms. It was just the funniest [thing] … It was like catching wild Pokemon,” said Jiang.
Richard Lee, who built a gamified habits-training app Orbie alongside his teammate Amanda Lau Shernin, slept for only about half an hour on the floor of a lecture hall. He had prior developer experience and knows coding languages like Python and SQL.
Participants of the hackathon ranged from highly experienced engineers to newbies.
Courtesy of Nicholas Cheng
When asked why he chose to join the hackathon, he said: “I took it as a personal challenge to see [what] could actually be done within 24 hours … [and to] see how far vibe coding has advanced,” said Lee. He also thought it would be a great place to get inspiration.
“It’s like a gathering of builders … who don’t just learn, but do,” Lee added. “It’s almost like training for a startup, right? Effectively, you just have to focus and get something done.”
By the end of the weekend, Lee says that although the hackathon was just 24 hours, he felt like he had “significantly upgraded” his skills.
Bringing back the builder spirit
The hackathon’s organizers said their goal was to reinvigorate the builder community in Singapore. There’s a feeling among many people in the space that the hackathon scene has faded from its heyday, co-organizer Jiang said.
Fellow organizer Singh agreed, writing on a LinkedIn post that “the Singapore hackathon scene lost its soul.”
Singh, who has been attending hackathons since 2013, observed that such events used to center hackers and builders making “something that worked”, instead of “panels or sponsorship decks or photo ops.”
“Now? Most AI events here feel hollow. Panels by people who’ve never touched the tech. ‘Thought leadership’ with no practical weight. People pretending to build, or worse, extracting revenue from the hype without caring about the ecosystem,” he wrote.
Major takeaways
With the advancement of AI, the startup landscape and software engineering industry has changed massively — it’s now easier for people with non-technical backgrounds to build tech products themselves.
Out of all of the participants, about half of them were completely new to hackathons, Jiang said.
Jiang also pointed out that some participants who had learned how to vibe code just a couple weeks ago had placed “pretty high” on the event’s rankings, beating experienced engineers.
“This is a bit of a hypothesis I have … I feel like people who [have a good] product sense and good taste and know how to position their products are starting to do really well at these hackathons because engineering is a lot easier now,” she said. “We’ve lowered the barrier, but raised the bar.”
The time to build is far shorter than [before]. I think it’s really much easier for developers or technical people, or even non-technical people to build a prototype, and effectively get to market.
Richard Lee
Hackathon participant
“The time to build is far shorter than [before]. I think it’s really much easier for developers or technical people, or even non-technical people to build a prototype, and effectively get to market,” said hackathon participant Lee.
Additionally, Lee and Jiang agree that both startup teams and corporate developer teams will likely become smaller now that these AI-assisted coding tools are on the market.
“It’s improving so fast that if [you] are not using [these tools] it day to day … I think [you’ll] be at a big risk of being eliminated.”
Richard Lee
Hackathon participant
With that said, it’s still very helpful to have some background on software engineering, as this will carry you to the finish line. People will still need to know how to evaluate code in terms of its fundamental logic and understand how to address issues in code, hackathon participant Lee said.
Ultimately, AI models are improving so quickly that if engineers aren’t upskilling consistently on the tools and staying up to date, they are at risk of becoming redundant, he added.
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Clyde & Co appoints Yvonne Lam as Partner : Clyde & Co
Sydney, 23 October 2025: Partner appointment will further bolster the firm’s corporate insurance and regulatory offering in the Asia Pacific region.
Global law firm Clyde & Co today announces the appointment of Yvonne Lam as partner. She re-joins the firm from Gilchrist Connell, where she was a Principal and the Head of Corporate Insurance & Insurtech, after previously spending over a decade specialising in advising on corporate insurance and regulatory matters at Clyde & Co in Australia.
Yvonne will further grow the firm’s corporate insurance offering in the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on handling transactional, regulatory and commercial advisory matters for clients in the rapidly evolving insurance risk and regulatory environment across Australia and Singapore.
In-depth Corporate Insurance and Regulatory Expertise
Yvonne brings extensive experience in corporate insurance and regulatory matters and has advised clients on matters in the Australian insurance industry, including the Financial Services Royal Commission hearings and significant transactions arising from global mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructures and expansions into the Australian market. She acts for insurers and reinsurers, underwriting agents, insurance brokers and next-generation insurtech clients and fintech ventures in the Asia Pacific region.
She has been a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly New Partner of the Year Awards (Big Law, 2025), Women in Law Awards for Partner of the Year (Big Law, 2024) and Special Counsel of the Year (2021) and the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards for Commercial Law (2018). She is the Asian Australian Lawyers Association NSW Branch President for 2025 and has been recognised as a finalist in the Legal & Professionals category of the Asian Australian Leadership Awards in 2024.
Rebecca Kelly, Australia Managing Partner, Brisbane, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Yvonne back to the firm. Her return marks an exciting step for the firm in the continued growth of our corporate insurance and regulatory practice across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region. With our enhanced capabilities, we are strongly positioned to support our clients in managing risk, responding to regulatory change, and navigating the complexities of today’s corporate landscape. Our clients rely on us for clear, commercially focused advice, and this appointment ensures we continue to deliver with confidence and clarity.”
Gareth Horne, Head of Insurance, Australia, Sydney, said: “This growth will allow us to seize the opportunities arising from the rapidly changing regulatory environment, where we see strong client demand for help with navigating the evolving risk landscape.”
Yvonne Lam said: “I am pleased to return to Clyde & Co and draw on the firm’s global platform and international reach particularly for my clients in the Asia Pacific region, who operate across multiple jurisdictions and in complex regulatory environments.”
Growing Corporate Insurance and Regulatory Offering
The appointment further strengthens Clyde & Co’s regional transactional, corporate and regulatory capabilities servicing insurance clients across Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Clyde & Co’s global insurance practice of 2,400 lawyers in over 70 offices around the world handles matters across all lines of insurance business, helping the insurance market navigate risk.
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Drugs That Lower Cholesterol May Also Reduce Dementia Risk, Says Huge New Study : ScienceAlert
Reducing cholesterol levels might not just be good for your heart; they might also be effective at reducing your risk of dementia, according to a comprehensive meta-analysis involving close to a million participants.
The results imply that…
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AIIMS-Harvard trained expert reveals 3 unexpected drinks that may fight cancer and boost immunity |
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide and remains the second-leading cause of death. Despite major progress in medical treatments, early detection, and preventive care, it continues to be a serious global health concern. Experts…
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Effect of three plant extracts on germination, vigour index and fungal infections of six soybean varieties (Glycine max L.) cultivated in Cameroon | BMC Plant Biology
Regasa GH. A review on the economic Importance, epidemiology and management practices of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi). Int J Curr Res Acad Rev. 2021;9(9):26–36.
Pérez-Pizá MC, Prevosto…
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Tesla profits slide despite record revenue
Tesla has seen its profits slide even as it reported record quarterly revenue after US buyers rushed to secure a key tax credit on electric car purchases before it ended last month.
The firm said revenue for the three months to the end of September hit a record $28bn (£21bn), up 12% from the same time last year.
But the company’s profits dropped by 37% for the same period, partly due to extra costs linked to tariffs and research.
The results come ahead of a vote by shareholders in November on a new pay package for chief executive Elon Musk that could be worth as much as $1tn.
Tesla shares were down by around 3.8% in extended trading after the results were announced.
The company’s roughly $1.4tn stock market valuation has been driven in recent months by investor confidence that Musk can deliver on his ambitions to transform Tesla into a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
But sales of vehicles currently remain its main source of income while those new products are being developed.
Like other car makers around the world, Tesla is facing tough competition from Chinese rivals such as BYD.
Tesla reversed a streak of declining quarterly sales as American buyers rushed to claim federal tax credits of up to $7,500 before they expired at the end of September. But rivals like Ford and Hyundai posted even stronger US sales growth during the same period.
During the quarter, Tesla rolled out a six-seat version of its best-selling Model Y vehicle, which saw particular success in China.
It also offered incentives to entice buyers like five-year interest-free loans and insurance subsidies.
Tesla is also grappling with the levies imposed on imports of car parts and raw materials by US President Donald Trump.
In a call with investors on Wednesday, Tesla’s finance chief Vaibhav Taneja said tariffs cost the firm more than $400m in the last quarter.
Higher expenses linked to research and development, particularly in its AI initiatives, also weighed on Tesla’s profits.
Mr Taneja said he expected that kind of spending to continue to rise.
In October, Tesla unveiled cheaper models of two of its best-selling cars in the US, in a bid to lift sales as federal incentives expire.
The company rolled out new versions of its Model Y and Model 3 cars, which are priced at about $5,000 less than earlier versions.
Still, Tesla’s shares fell as investors were underwhelmed by the new cars.
The company has been criticised for being slow in offering more affordable cars, often seen as a reason that it has lost ground to competitors.
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Midlife metabolism reset plan: 5 wellness tips to reignite your inner fire without extreme diets or supplements
If you notice creeping fatigue, stubborn weight, brain fog and mood swings in your midlife, it is a nudge that you are not alone as many people face this…
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PacificLight Appoints a Consortium of Mitsubishi Power and Jurong Engineering Limited to build 670 MW CCGT Power Plant in Singapore
From left (seated): Daichi Nakajima, EVP, Mitsubishi Power, Yu Tat Ming, CEO, PacificLight Power, Koichi Watanabe, CEO and MD, Jurong Engineering Limited at the EPC contract signing.
Singapore, October 23, 2025 – A consortium comprising Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Jurong Engineering Limited (JEL) has been awarded an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract by PacificLight Power Pte. Ltd. (PLP) to develop the largest, high efficient combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility in Singapore. The power plant will be the first CCGT unit in Singapore integrated with a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), enabling dynamic energy management to align electricity supply with grid demand.
Located on Jurong Island, Singapore, the 670MW facility, capable of powering more than 965,000 four-room flats, is scheduled to begin operations in 2029. It will have the ability to operate on 30% hydrogen and will be capable of shifting to run entirely on hydrogen in future.
The new CCGT power plant will deploy Mitsubishi Power’s state-of-the-art M701JAC gas turbine with hydrogen co-firing potential, as the power sector works towards net zero carbon emissions. This gas turbine is recognized as the world’s most efficient large-frame gas turbines, with more than 64% combined cycle efficiency and proven reliability through three million operational hours.
Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PLP said, “This project represents a significant leap forward in PacificLight’s decarbonization journey and our commitment to powering Singapore with cleaner, more resilient energy. By investing in large-scale energy storage and hydrogen-ready technology, we are future-proofing our infrastructure to meet future energy demands. We are proud to partner Mitsubishi Power and Jurong Engineering in advancing Singapore’s sustainable future for generations to come.”
Daichi Nakajima, Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Power, said, “Mitsubishi Power is honored to partner JEL to build PLP’s monumental project that would support Singapore’s growing electricity needs and broader energy transition goals. Our hydrogen-ready gas turbines, along with the innovative integration of BESS, contribute to future-proof infrastructure crucial to Singapore’s decarbonization goals. We are committed to working alongside our partners to support this large-scale development that is making history in Singapore’s energy sector.”
Koichi Watanabe, CEO and MD of JEL, added, “The development of the CCGT plant marks an important step in advancing the nation’s cleaner energy goals. Drawing on our proven experience in large-scale EPC projects along with Mitsubishi Power’s track record in highly efficient gas turbines, this collaboration reflects a strong synergy and shared commitment to delivering this large-scale facility to the highest standards. In support of PLP, we look forward to helping to enhance the resilience and flexibility of Singapore’s power systems.”
PLP currently owns and operates an 830MW CCGT facility and a 100MW Fast Start Ancillary Services facility on Jurong Island. The 830MW CCGT facility is one of the most efficient and reliable combined cycle power plants currently operating in Singapore.
Mitsubishi Power has maintained a longstanding presence in Singapore, supporting the nation’s energy infrastructure by providing advanced power generation systems for CCGT power plants since the early 2000s. Together with JEL, the consortium will have delivered two M701F gas turbines and a total of three M701JAC gas turbines, including those supplied for this latest project. This strong track record and proven collaboration in Singapore have been key contributors to securing the current contract.
The PLP CCGT project is a key step in advancing the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and reflects a combined commitment by PLP, Mitsubishi Power and JEL to accelerate Singapore’s transition toward net-zero.
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