18 August 2024, Kathmandu
The Zen AI Hackathon ‘Hack Day,’ a pioneering event focused on harnessing the power of Generative AI, has concluded after three months of intense competition.
Zen AI Hackathon ‘Hack Day’ Concludes
Organized by the Center for Inclusive Studies Development (IIDS) in collaboration with Agile Move, the grand finale took place on August 16, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s innovation landscape.
Dr. Vishwas Gauchan, Executive Director of IIDS, emphasized the transformative potential of Generative AI in driving innovation and addressing challenges. Echoing this sentiment, Sushil Bhattach, CEO of Agile Move, highlighted the importance of problem-solving as the starting point of innovation, noting the hackathon’s role in nurturing young innovators.
Participants from across Nepal were invited to present innovative solutions to socio-economic issues using Generative AI. The competition attracted a diverse group of participants, with eight finalist teams selected for the final round. These teams were mentored by prominent members of the Nepali diaspora, including Vijay Raj Poudel from Intel, Vipendra Basnyat from Deloitte, Vishal Lakhe from Boise State University, Data Scientist Dipesh Gautam, and Nirmal Budhathoki from Microsoft.
The hackathon set a new benchmark for innovation in Nepal, with projects addressing critical challenges in education, health, finance, and the environment. The winning project, an AI-based digital inventory for landslides, was awarded the top prize of NPR 80,000. The first runner-up, a project focused on designing and optimizing custom automotive parts, received NPR 40,000, while the second runner-up, an AI tool for breaking language barriers, was awarded NPR 30,000.
The winners were selected by an expert jury consisting of Divyashwari Dali, Managing Director of Digital Edge Nepal, Shailesh Giri, Managing Director of Merojob, Kumar Lamsal, CEO of National Banking Institute, Uttam Pudasaini, co-founder of Naxa, and Sanjeev Subba. The Zen AI Hackathon ‘Hack Day’ has not only showcased the talent of Nepal’s innovators but also underscored the country’s growing potential in the field of digital technology.
Zen AI Hackathon ‘Hack Day’ Concludes
