How Symphony Built an AI Culture That Employees Love 

With artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage and reshaping how we work, every company is asking: how do we implement AI tools in our processes? At Symphony Solutions, our approach is different. AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a fundamental part of who we are.  

While others are still experimenting with AI, we’ve built a robust framework for harnessing its full potential across every facet of our business. For nearly a decade, AI has been the secret sauce behind our exponential growth, shaping how we approach everything from operational efficiency to customer experience. We’ve applied this technology not only to optimize internal workflows and reduce costs but also to create cutting-edge solutions, for instance BetHarmony and Harmony; AI Agents that significantly improve our clients’ success.  

This year, we took our commitment a step further by hosting the AI Olympics, a company-wide event designed to showcase the true potential of AI through creativity, collaboration, and technical brilliance. The AI Olympics united Symphians from around the world, giving them the platform to explore new AI tools, solve complex challenges, and showcase their talents. Building on the success of previous AI initiatives like the AI Challenge 1.0 and 2.0, the AI Olympics was by far our most ambitious, impactful, and inspiring AI event to date. 

This commitment to AI starts at the very top. Theo, our founder, has long championed the use of AI in employee engagement, creating initiatives like the AI Olympics to spark creativity, collaboration, and excitement among employees. He shared these challenges on the AI Band in Viva Engage, sparking excitement and healthy competition across the company. By offering significant prizes, Theo showed just how serious we are about AI—not as a passing trend, but as something that’s part of who we are. This focus has helped us create an AI-driven culture that sets Symphony apart and keeps us ahead of the curve. 

While earlier events, such as AI Challenge, focused on integrating and experimenting with AI tools to improve workflows, the AI Olympics took this to a whole new level by combining competition, innovation, and global collaboration. As our COO, Kseniya Kobryn, highlighted, “The AI Olympics showed us that when we bring together diverse perspectives and harness the power of AI, we can achieve extraordinary results. AI is embedded in our culture and drives our innovation. It’s transforming the way we collaborate, solve problems, and shape our future at Symphony.” 

AI Olympics Recap: Challenges, Teams, and Big Wins 

With 10 dynamic teams, 5 expert judges, and 5 thrilling challenges, the stage was set for a true test of AI-driven problem-solving.  

Teams from all across the globe— representing a mix of countries (and a few fictional ones!) like Harmony Japan, Tigers of Anatolia, and Team Macedonia.—competed for a €2,500 prize pool, all while pushing their creativity and teamwork to new heights. Together, they tackled five unique challenges, split into two rounds. 

ROUND 1 
The first round kicked off with excitement, bringing a mix of creativity, technical skill, and real-world problem-solving. Our Symphians were ready to tackle the challenges head-on, each showing their unique strengths across three events: 

1. Symphony of Innovation: AI Music Contest 
   Our teams used AI to compose original music, blending technology and creativity to explore new possibilities in sound and composition. 
2. AI for Good: Community Impact Challenge 
   Teams put AI to work solving real-world issues, crafting solutions designed to make a meaningful difference and create a lasting impact on society. 
3. Real or Fake?: AI Photo Challenge 
   This challenge tested how far AI can go in generating lifelike images. Our teams created AI-driven photos so realistic, you’d have to look twice to tell the difference. 

ROUND 2 
As the competition moved into the second and final round, the challenges got tougher, but our Symphians didn’t back down. This round was all about pushing the limits of innovation, showcasing the depth of our talent and collaboration: 

1. Innovation Showdown: Technical AI Challenge 
   Our teams took on advanced AI problems, using their technical expertise to develop cutting-edge solutions that went beyond what’s possible today. 
2. Digital Showcase: Multicultural Presentation 
   In this final challenge, our teams highlighted their ideas through multicultural digital presentations, demonstrating how diverse perspectives fuel innovation and lead to game-changing solutions. 

Winners of the AI Olympics 

Harmony – Japan: Round 1 Winners of Digital Showcase 

In Round 1, Team Harmony Japan took home the victory for the Digital Showcase challenge. Their presentation highlighted the multicultural aspect of their idea, seamlessly blending technology with a global perspective. The team’s ability to communicate their innovative ideas with a multicultural touch demonstrated the true spirit of collaboration and creativity that Symphony champions. 

Creators – Ukraine: Round 2 Winners of Innovation Showdown 

Team Creators Ukraine’s victory in the Symphony of Innovation AI Music Contest was nothing short of impressive, especially considering their team consisted mostly of designers rather than technical experts. Despite this, their creativity and ability to leverage AI for music composition set them apart, delivering a unique piece that captured the essence of both art and technology. Their win showcased the power of diverse skill sets working together, proving that innovation can come from unexpected places. You can check out the playlist here. 

Macedonia – Round 1 Winner: Real or Fake? AI Photo Challenge 

Team Macedonia took home the win with their ability to create AI-generated images so lifelike, it was hard to tell them apart from real photographs. The team, composed of talented Symphians from various backgrounds, showcased their impressive skills in AI image manipulation. Their victory highlighted the power of AI to blur the lines between reality and virtual creation, proving that even non-technical teams could push the boundaries of AI-driven design and creativity. 

Macedonia – Round 2 Winner: AI for Good: Community Impact Challenge 

Macedonia’s remarkable second win was a true testament to the team’s innovative thinking and dedication to using AI for positive change. In this round, the team focused on crafting AI solutions that not only pushed the boundaries of technology but also addressed real-world challenges. Their work was not just technical; it demonstrated how AI can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in society, amplifying the culture of social responsibility that defines Symphony.  

Creators – Ukraine: Round 2 Winner – Innovation Showdown: Technical AI Challenge 

Creators – Ukraine pulled off an impressive second win in the AI Olympics, and what’s even more remarkable is that they didn’t have any technical experts on the team. Made up mostly of designers and marketers, they showed just how much creativity and collaboration can push the limits of AI. Their ability to tackle a technical challenge and deliver strong solutions was a real standout, proving that you don’t always need a tech background to succeed in this space. This win highlighted the power of diverse skills and teamwork at Symphony, reinforcing how we bring out the best in each other. 

Final AI Olympics Winners 

Gold: Team Macedonia & Creators Ukraine

The Gold Medal was a well-deserved tie between Team Macedonia and Creators Ukraine, who both impressed with their outstanding creativity and innovation. Team Macedonia’s victory came from their exceptional skills in the AI Photo Challenge and their continued excellence in AI for Good, where they created impactful solutions for social causes. Meanwhile, Creators Ukraine stood out in the Technical AI Challenge, impressing judges with their ability to tackle complex AI problems and develop cutting-edge solutions. This shared victory not only highlighted their technical prowess but also their ability to collaborate across disciplines to produce exceptional results. 

Silver: Harmony Japan

Taking home the Silver Medal, Harmony Japan delivered an impressive performance across multiple challenges, including a standout win in the Digital Showcase: Multicultural Presentation. Their blend of technical skill and cultural creativity helped them create engaging, visually stunning presentations that celebrated diversity and innovation. Harmony Japan’s approach to integrating cultural perspectives into their solutions demonstrated the power of collaboration, making them a formidable team and a well-deserved silver medalist. 

Bronze: ACWEEWDSBHT – A Country Where Everyone Wants To Do Something, But Doesn’t Have The Time For It 

The Bronze Medal went to ACWEEWDSBHT, a team known for their humor and creativity. Despite the playful nature of their team name, they approached each challenge with a serious commitment to excellence, particularly excelling in the AI Photo Challenge. Their ability to create lifelike AI-generated images that left even the judges guessing between real and fake was a major highlight. The team’s blend of creativity, humor, and technical skill earned them a well-deserved place on the podium, proving that innovation can come from anywhere, even from a fictional country! 

Voices from the Frontlines: Participant Perspectives 

The heart of the AI Olympics was the participants—Symphonians who brought unique perspectives, creativity, and energy to every challenge. Here are some of their reflections: 

These voices capture what made the AI Olympics truly special—a mix of collaboration, creativity, and personal growth that left a lasting impact on everyone involved. 

Behind the Scenes with the Judges of the AI Olympics 

Our five judges weren’t just there to hand out awards; they were in the trenches, diving deep into each submission, unearthing brilliance (and occasionally scratching their heads over some truly wild ideas). 

Iryna Gavryliuk, our Delivery Center Director, summed it up best when she said, “Some of the solutions weren’t just techy—they were downright transformative. The depth and relevance of what we saw showed how AI is tackling real-world problems in ways we never imagined.” Clearly, this was more than just an opportunity to show off some cool AI tricks—it was a moment for Symphonians to prove that creativity and AI could work together to solve some of the world’s trickiest challenges. 

Meanwhile, Vitali Tymashkov, our resident tech genius and Head of QA, had this to say: “A few of these ideas were skating on the cutting edge of AI. Sure, they were prototypes, but some of the concepts were close enough to the real thing that I’d want to start using them tomorrow.” We’re not just talking about tinkering around with AI tools; these submissions were pushing the limits of what AI can do today—and maybe even tomorrow. 

The judges weren’t just critiquing how “cool” the AI was—they were looking for solutions that could stand up in the real world. It wasn’t about showing off for the sake of showing off; it was about building something that could move the needle—whether that meant improving operational efficiency or solving social challenges. 

Voices from Symphony’s Leaders 

Symphony’s leadership was instrumental in driving the hackathon’s success. 

Why We Host AI Events at Symphony 

The AI Olympics highlighted what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration: 

At our organization, we have an AI culture that’s deeply ingrained in our identity. Our commitment to integrating this technology into everything we do goes far beyond just implementation; it’s about encouraging continuous learning, experimentation, and collaboration. Here’s why hosting AI events like the AI Olympics is integral to our success: 

Drive Innovation Through Collaboration 

At Symphony Solutions, using AI for the culture means embedding it into every aspect of our work environment—encouraging creativity and collaboration. Events like the AI Olympics break down silos and bring together diverse perspectives to solve complex challenges, helping us generate groundbreaking ideas and solutions. 

Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning 

AI in the workplace is constantly evolving, and so are we. By hosting AI events, we create opportunities for Symphonians to explore new tools, stay on top of the latest trends, and continuously enhance their skills. This fosters a growth mindset and keeps us at the cutting edge of technology. 

Improve Diversity and Inclusion 

The AI Olympics proved that innovation thrives in diverse teams. With people from different backgrounds, skill sets, and locations coming together, we see firsthand how the mix of creativity and technical expertise leads to impressive results. Diversity isn’t just a value; it’s a catalyst for innovation. 

Inspire Creativity and Experimentation 

AI events give our teams the freedom to experiment and take risks, fostering a sense of adventure. It’s about creating a space where Symphonians feel encouraged to think outside the box, fail fast, and come up with ideas that challenge the status quo. 

Strengthen AI Culture and Identity 

Hosting these events reinforces AI as a core part of our DNA. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about shaping who we are as a company. AI employee engagement events bring our people together, unify us around a common goal, and demonstrate how AI can drive both personal and professional growth at Symphony Solutions. 

How Symphony Solutions Built an AI-Driven Culture 

The AI Olympics was a huge step in embedding AI into Symphony’s culture, but it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. We’re making sure AI is not just a one-time focus, but a core part of our daily operations. Here’s how we’re ensuring AI’s ongoing presence: 

• Ongoing Learning: We’re building communities within Symphony where Symphonians can share AI tips, explore new tools, and collaborate across teams. By encouraging continuous learning, we’re helping everyone stay up-to-date with the latest AI developments and apply them in their work. 

• Encouraging Experimentation: Events like the AI Olympics showcased the power of creative thinking. We want that same spirit of experimentation to be part of our everyday work. By giving teams the freedom to explore new ideas, we foster a culture of innovation that drives us forward. 

• Fostering Inclusion: The diversity in our teams during the AI Olympics showed us just how powerful different perspectives can be. We’re committed to maintaining this inclusive spirit in all our AI initiatives, ensuring that diverse voices and ideas are integral to our success. 

With these efforts, we’re embedding AI into Symphony’s DNA, ensuring it fuels innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI at Symphony Solutions 

The AI Olympics marked a defining milestone in Symphony’s eight-year journey with AI. . It demonstrated that AI is not a side project or a passing trend here; it’s part of who we are and how we operate. From groundbreaking solutions to the way we work together, the event proved that when Symphonians come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.  

Looking ahead, we’re building on the momentum from the AI Olympics. As we continue to expand AI training and foster innovation across every team, the future of Symphony Solutions is becoming clearer. AI will keep pushing us to new heights, and we’re not just following the wave—we’re leading it.  

Theo Schnitfink, our Founder, put it perfectly: “The AI Olympics marked a turning point for us. It showed that we’re not just adopting AI—we’re using it to reshape the future of Symphony. It’s embedded in everything we do and drives us forward.” And that’s what we’re committed to—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI, continuing to innovate, and setting the pace for what’s next. The future is ours to shape, and Symphony is leading the charge. 

Stay tuned for what’s next in the AI journey at Symphony Solutions. The future is already here, and we’re ready to lead the way. 

Curious about what’s next or want to be part of it? Explore our projects, connect with us, or join our growing team.