AI After 5 is part of a growing number of groups hosting events to learn to skills in a group setting. Ben Kelmer for AI After 5

Is it a hackathon or a happy hour? Yes.

Learn AI, but with drinks and friends: Why workers are swapping happy hour for hackathon-style events

AI After 5 is part of a growing number of groups hosting events to learn to skills in a group setting. Ben Kelmer for AI After 5

Tired of milling about polished networking events , balancing a cocktail and lukewarm appetizers while attempting to shake hands and answer the question, "So, what do you do?", workers are turning away from the happy hour and toward events that take them back to their preschool roots.

Groups from Boston to Boise are hosting events to meet twin needs: IRL connection and AI practice. It's a grown-up version of "parallel play" that organizers hope will lead to more meaningful interactions than sipping discounted margaritas, and prove more fun than clumsily vibe-coding at home alone.…