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Discord Guide

Discord is a free chat app, much like Microsoft Teams or Slack. During the hackathon, it is where teams ask you questions and where the Since AI team reaches you. Setting it up takes about ten minutes.

6–8 November 2026 · Turku, Finland · Updated 28 Oct 2026

Time needed
About 10 minOne-time setup
Cost
FreeNo subscription needed
Works in
Your browserOr the phone and computer apps
When
Before you travelEvery onsite representative
Join the Since AI Discord (opens in a new tab)Show me how, step by step

// discord in one minute

What Discord is.

A chat app organised into rooms, called channels. If you have used Microsoft Teams or Slack, you already know most of it.

  1. 1ServersEach community is a server. Since AI is one of them — you only need this one.
  2. 2ChannelsThe topics of the Since AI server. Your company's channel appears here.
  3. 3ConversationMessages in the channel you have open, newest at the bottom.
  4. 4Message boxType here and press Enter to send.

Words you will see

Server
The Since AI community on Discord — like a Teams or Slack workspace.
Channel
A room for one topic, such as your company's channel. Channel names start with #.
Thread
A side conversation under one message. It keeps the channel tidy.
@mention
Type @ and a name to notify that person, just like in Teams.
Direct message
A private one-to-one chat.
Role
Your access. Your company role opens your company's channels.

// set up in six steps

From invite to your company channel.

Do this once, before you travel. The pink outline in each picture shows where to click.

  1. Step 1 of 6

    Open the Since AI invite

    Click Join the Since AI Discord on this page. The invite opens in your web browser — you don't need to install anything. Click Accept Invite.

    Join the Since AI Discord (opens in a new tab)

    Tip: Prefer an app? Discord also has free apps for computers and phones.

  2. Step 2 of 6

    Create your free account

    Discord asks for your email, a display name, a username, a password and your date of birth. Use your work email, then click Continue.

    Tip: Already have a Discord account? Click Log In instead and use it.

  3. Step 3 of 6

    Confirm your email

    Open the email from Discord and click Verify Email. You can't write messages until your email is confirmed.

    Tip: No email after a few minutes? Check your spam folder.

  4. Step 4 of 6

    Answer the welcome questions

    The Since AI server asks a few short questions when you join. Choose the company or partner representative option where it is offered, then read the server rules and accept them.

  5. Step 5 of 6

    Show your name and company

    Click Since AI at the top of the channel list and choose Edit Server Profile. Set your nickname to First name | Company — for example “Anna | Valmet” — and click Save Changes.

    Tip: Your nickname applies only in the Since AI server. Your Discord account elsewhere stays as it is.

  6. Step 6 of 6

    Find your company channel

    The Since AI team gives your account your company role. Your company's channels then appear in the channel list on the left. Click a channel to open it.

    Tip: Channels still missing a day before you travel? Tell us — see Help below.

The pictures are simplified drawings. Discord's own screens may look slightly different, and the words on the Since AI server may vary.

// during the hackathon

How to use your channel.

Answer in the channel where you can, so everyone gets the same answer. To reply to one message, hover over it (on a phone: press and hold) and choose Reply — or Create Thread for a longer conversation.

Representatives of the challenge companies

Your challenge channel

  • Your company’s challenge channel is where teams ask about your challenge — the primary place for their questions during the hackathon. Keep it monitored throughout the event.
  • Answer in the channel where you can, so every team gets the same information. Use Reply or a thread for longer back-and-forth.
  • Share and pin the key material there: challenge documents, APIs, datasets and a short FAQ.
  • Coordination with the Since AI team happens in a private company / partner area, where one is set up for you.
  • Urgent operational updates and schedule changes reach you on Discord.
  • Please don’t use @everyone or @here. If something truly has to reach the whole server, ask the Since AI team to post it.
Challenge Partner Guide

Visibility, tech and ecosystem partners

Your partner channel

  • Your company has its own partner channel on the Since AI Discord, where builders ask about your technology — APIs, developer credits, tooling and technical support. Keep it monitored throughout the event.
  • Answer in the channel where you can, so every builder gets the same information. Use Reply or a thread for longer back-and-forth.
  • Share and pin the key material there: docs, how to get API access and credits, examples and a short FAQ.
  • Post when your representatives are at your stand — and any technical session, workshop or office hours you run.
  • Stand, setup and onsite logistics questions go to the Since AI team in your private company / partner area.
  • Urgent event announcements and schedule changes reach you on Discord.
  • Please don’t use @everyone or @here. If something truly has to reach the whole server, ask the Since AI team to post it.
Partner & Tech Guide

// don't miss a question

Turn on notifications for your channel.

Then every new message in your company's channel reaches you. The rest of the server can stay quiet.

  1. 1Right-click your company's channel (on a phone: press and hold it).
  2. 2Choose Notification Settings.
  3. 3Select All Messages.
Your company's channel
All Messages
The rest of the server
Only @mentions is fine

// on the move

Put Discord on your phone.

At the event you will be walking between rooms. With the app on your phone, questions reach you wherever you are. At least one onsite representative per company keeps phone notifications on.

  1. 1Install Discord from the App Store or Google Play — it is free.
  2. 2Log in with the same email and password.
  3. 3When your phone asks, allow notifications.
App Store (iPhone) (opens in a new tab)Google Play (Android) (opens in a new tab)Computer app (opens in a new tab)

// before you arrive in turku

Your Discord checklist.

Tick each item off. Your ticks are saved in this browser only.

Before you arrive in Turku

Ticks are saved on this device only.

// troubleshooting

Something not working?

The confirmation email didn't arrive

Check your spam or junk folder. In Discord, the banner at the top of the window has a link to resend the email. Still nothing? Make sure the email address in your account is spelled correctly.

I can't type in a channel

For everyone's safety, the Since AI server lets an account post once its email is confirmed and it is at least five minutes old. Also check that you answered the welcome questions and accepted the server rules.

I can't see my company's channel

Your company role is not in place yet. The Since AI team assigns it — tell us if it's missing (see Help below).

Discord is blocked on my work laptop or network

This is common on corporate networks. Use the Discord app on your phone (on mobile data), or ask your IT team to allow discord.com.

I already have a personal Discord account

You can use it. Set your nickname for the Since AI server only (Edit Server Profile) — nothing changes in your other servers.

Can other people see my email or date of birth?

No. Other members see only your display name, nickname and profile picture. Discord asks for your date of birth to meet age rules; it is not shown to anyone.

Do I need to pay for anything?

No. Discord is free. You can ignore any offers for Discord Nitro, its paid upgrade.

I forgot my password

On the Discord login screen, click “Forgot your password?” and follow the email.

// help

Still stuck?

Email us and we will sort out your access — or ask any Since AI volunteer on site.