[GDG Brunei] Build with AI: BuildABLE Pre-Hackathon Code-Along

Note this is an event organised by GDG Brunei. Register at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-brunei-darussalam-presents-build-with-ai-buildable-pre-hackathon-code-along/

Join GDG Brunei for a hands-on "Build with AI" virtual code-along! Choose between a Low-Code (Google AI Studio) or High-Code (Vertex AI) track to build and deploy your first AI apps. This session serves as the official prep-ground for June's BuildABLE Hackathon, equipping you with the tools to innovate for inclusion. All skill levels are welcome!

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Get ready to transform your ideas into reality!
In preparation for June’s BuildABLE – Innovating Inclusion Together Mini Hackathon, GDG Brunei is hosting a virtual Code-Along to get your technical environment set up and your AI skills sharpened. Whether you are a complete beginner, an educator, or an advanced software engineer, we have a track for you.

How it Works:
We will kick off together to claim your free Google Cloud OnRamp credits, and then split into two virtual breakout rooms:

• Track 1: Low-Code Path (Beginners/Educators/Designers)
  Learn the art of prompt engineering using Google AI Studio. You will use natural language to generate frontend code and deploy a functional, accessible web app (like a Visual Schedule Generator) without writing manual backend code.
• Track 2: High-Code Path (Advanced Developers/Engineers)
  Dive into Vertex AI and the Gemini API. You will learn how to securely call models via the SDK and build a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) backend to process complex datasets, deploying your final architecture to Cloud Run.

Why Register?
RSVPing on their Bevy page is mandatory to automatically receive your Google Cloud credits for 180 days, which you will use during the session to bypass free-tier rate limits and deploy your apps live.
Let’s build the skills today to build a more inclusive tomorrow!

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Agenda

1:30 PM
Context & Setup
Welcome & Objective: Why are we building this? The Autism Context: Brief primer on digital needs (predictability, sensory-friendly design). Environment Check: Ensuring all participants have their code editors open and Google AI Studio accounts active.

2:00 PM
Prompt Engineering 101: Vibe Coding using Google AI Studio
Live Demo: Accessing Google AI Studio. Hands-On: Crafting prompts specifically for accessibility. Participants practice writing system instructions like: "You are an assistant for a neurodivergent user. Explain this concept using literal language, avoiding sarcasm and idioms." Google AI Studio's now supports full-stack runtimes, allowing vibe coding experience that helps you turn prompts into real, functional apps. In this session, you will learn how to build robust applications through natural language prompting. Pre-requisite: - Your gmail account is required to access Google AI Studio

2:45 PM
15 mins Break
Screen break and informal networking

3:00 PM
The Code-Along: Backend
Connecting the API: Participants write their first script (Python or Node.js) to send a text prompt to the Gemini API and print the response in their terminal. Error Handling: What happens when the AI hallucinates or the API times out?

4:00 PM
The Code-Along: Frontend
Building the UI: Providing a pre-written, sensory-friendly HTML/CSS template. The Connection: Writing the JavaScript fetch() function to take user input from a text box, send it to the API, and display the result on the screen.

4:45 PM
Testing & Tweaking
Breakout: Participants customize their apps. Some might change it from a "Social Script Generator" to a "Sarcasm Translator" or an "Emotion Identifier" based on text. Mentors float the room to fix bugs.

5:15 PM
The Hackathon Handoff
Deploying: Showing how to push the code live. The Starter Kit: Distributing the GitHub repository link containing today's code so they can use it as a foundation for the main Hackathon. Team Formation: Encouraging solo developers to group up before the main event.