Environment

Samsung Electronics MENA, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), celebrated the winners of the ACT28 AI for Climate Hackathon at a special awards ceremony during the AI Retreat 2024. The winning projects were Pestipilot AI from the UAE, Gamified AI Recycling Bin for Efficient Waste Segregation from Saudi Arabia, and Green Finance Navigator from Turkey. These innovative solutions harness AI and advanced technologies to address pressing climate change challenges.

The Hackathon Awards Ceremony, held on June 11, was part of the highly anticipated AI Retreat 2024, organized by the Dubai Center for AI Applications in partnership with the National Program for Artificial Intelligence. The event drew over 1,000 AI experts and specialists, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global leader in AI advancement.

Winning Projects:

1. Pestipilot AI (UAE): An AI-powered drone designed for crop pesticide control. Utilizing deep learning-based image classification, it identifies areas of poor crop quality due to insect infestations or improper pesticide use. The drone also collects soil samples to ensure compliance with regional pesticide standards. Paired with a Pesticide Control App, it provides precise recommendations on pesticide usage, promoting optimal crop health and assisting farmers in regulatory compliance.

2. Gamified AI Recycling Bin for Efficient Waste Segregation (Saudi Arabia): This project leverages AI-powered computer vision and a gamified reward system to enhance waste sorting and recycling. It aims to promote environmental sustainability and community engagement through improved waste management practices.

3. Green Finance Navigator (Turkey): An innovative platform designed to streamline climate finance and sustainable investment processes. It addresses critical challenges in efficiently allocating funds to high-impact climate projects, providing reliable information for sustainable investments, and offering comprehensive tools for project management and stakeholder collaboration.

The hackathon, announced during COP28 in Dubai in 2023, attracted over 50 entries from seven countries. Ten teams, each consisting of three members, were shortlisted for the final round and presented their projects to a panel of judges from Samsung and UNDP on Demo Day, May 26.

Participants utilized a range of cutting-edge technologies, including AI and ML for data-driven solutions, IoT for real-time monitoring, Blockchain for transparent climate finance, Data Analytics and Visualization for actionable insights, and Geospatial Technologies for location-based applications. Seasoned mentors from Generation17, a Samsung-UNDP partnership aimed at amplifying young leaders' voices and helping achieve SDGs, supported the participants throughout the hackathon.

Susanne Dam-Hansen, Regional Hub Manager a.i. at UNDP, expressed her admiration for the winning teams' creativity and expertise. "Their innovative solutions in leveraging AI and advanced technologies to tackle climate change challenges are truly commendable. UNDP, in partnership with Samsung, is committed to empowering the next generation of innovators to drive positive change through technology."

Omar Saheb, Regional VP of Marketing and Online Business at Samsung Electronics MENA, echoed these sentiments. "We are thrilled with the innovative solutions developed by the winning teams from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Their creativity and expertise in leveraging AI and advanced technologies to tackle climate change challenges are commendable. Samsung remains committed to empowering the next generation of innovators to drive positive change through technology."

The AI Retreat 2024, under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI) framework, supports AI adoption across various sectors, solidifying Dubai's status as a global AI hub.

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