Guided weekly projects
Hands-on, project-first sessions every week. You learn by building, not just watching slides.
SMU BIA · 8-week programme
AI Lodge
A structured AI/ML learning programme built around a community with a shared interest in AI — designed for anyone curious, regardless of technical background. Peer learning, real projects, cozy lodges.
- 10
- max lodgers / lodge
- 3
- lodge captains
- 10
- weeks to a project
Curious about AI but don't know where to begin?
Overwhelmed by AI advancements?
Wanna learn, but don't know where to begin?
That's exactly what the lodge is for.
AI Lodge gathers small groups of curious students into cozy “lodges” — up to 10 lodgers guided by 3 captains — to learn AI together, hands-on, over eight weeks. No prior experience required. Just bring your curiosity.
Why join a lodge
Learn AI the cozy way — together
AI tools + foundations
Exposure to the AI tools people actually use, plus the foundational technical knowledge underneath them.
Build your own project
Bring an idea to life with your lodge captains' support — and show it off at the exhibition.
Test a startup idea, for real
Your final hackathon project can be that startup idea you've always wanted to build — with mentors backing you, and external judges giving real feedback, like pitching to investors. A low-stakes way to test an idea, not just a coding exercise.
From the lodge
Past moments
The lodges
Pick the lodge that fits you
Each lodge has its own focus, vibe, and captains — from total beginners to the frontier.
CJB Lodge
Beginner
Where friends figure out AI together — before AI starts making decisions for them.
For the curious with no coding background who want to actually understand AI.
Prompt EngineeringHallucinations & BiasReal-world AI
Meet the lodge→WSS Lodge
Beginner
Real-world AI for real-world problems.
For problem-solvers who want to put AI to real, business use.
Vibe CodingAgentic AIDeployment
Meet the lodge→Vampire Lodge
Beginner–Intermediate
From zero to deployed AI agent.
For anyone who wants to stop using AI and start building with it.
APIs & Function CallingBuilding AI AgentsRAG & Deployment
Meet the lodge→Paiseh Lodge
Beginner–Intermediate
Equipping you with tools to build anything you can imagine.
For those who are interested in exploring different areas of AI, and build interesting projects.
Agentic WorkflowsMultimodal AILLM Applications
Meet the lodge→HackStreet Boys
Beginner–Intermediate
Learn AI by building — you'll be the fire. 🔥
For students from any faculty who are curious about AI and want to learn by building and having fun.
API ToolingPrompt EngineeringAI App Patterns
Meet the lodge→CuriosityMaxxer Lodge
Intermediate
Build with the end in mind — deployment-focused from day one.
For product-minded builders who want to ship, not just study.
Agentic SystemsMCPDeployment-focused
Meet the lodge→Closed
LLM Lodge
Beginner–Intermediate
Build real projects while you learn how LLMs actually work.
Anyone who wants to build personal projects while picking up the ML/LLM fundamentals underneath them.
Python foundationsNeural networksTransformers
View the lodge→The trail · 10 weeks
The programme, week by week
Weeks 1–8
Lodge sessions
Weekly hands-on sessions with your lodge — guided projects, building intuition and skills together.
Recess week
Lodge hack day
A full day to get hands dirty — your lodge hacks together on something real.
Week 10
Finals & exhibition
Hackathon finals and a project exhibition day — show what your lodge built.
Exact session day & time confirmed after applications close — TBC.
Save the dates!
Applications timeline
Applications open
13 Jul
Deadline
2 Aug
Results
11 Aug
How to join · three stages
Finding your way in
The stages run in order — each one builds on the last.
1
Stage 1
Application form with task suite
Submit your application form along with the required recruitment task suite.
2
Stage 2
Group interviews
Short interviews with the captains of your first choice lodge.
3
Stage 3
Results & allocation
Results are released and lodges are allocated (with potential reshuffling).