Kathmandu: The Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), in collaboration with AgileMove Inc., successfully concluded the “HACKDAY! Gen-AI Hackathon Contest 2024,” an innovative event designed to address some of Nepal’s most pressing socio-economic challenges through the power of Generative AI technology. The hackathon, the first of its kind in Nepal, brought together bright minds from across the country to develop AI-powered solutions in key sectors such as education, healthcare, finance, and the environment.
Spanning three months, the contest culminated in a final event on August 16, 2024, in Kathmandu, where participants presented their innovative projects to a panel of esteemed judges. The event aimed to harness the creativity and technical skills of Nepali innovators to tackle national issues, fostering collaboration between young talents and experienced mentors from the Nepali diaspora. The hackathon’s success underscores the potential of digital technology to drive meaningful change in Nepal’s development landscape.
The winning project, “AI-based Digital Inventory for Landslides,” developed by a team from the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction, stood out for its innovative use of AI-powered satellite imagery to create a comprehensive digital inventory of landslides. This project aims to enhance disaster risk management in Nepal’s geohazard-prone regions, addressing the critical need for reliable data to support resilience planning.
Other notable projects included the first runner-up, “Design and Optimize Custom Automotive Parts,” which used AI algorithms to generate optimized designs for custom automotive parts, focusing on weight reduction, performance, and cost efficiency. The second runner-up, “AI Tool for Breaking Language Barriers,” developed an AI-powered tool to translate government publications from Nepali to English, significantly enhancing data accessibility for non-Nepali speakers.
Leaders and judges of the event were full of praise for the participants and their innovative solutions. Dr. Biswash Gauchan, Executive Director of IIDS, emphasized the event’s importance in Nepal’s digital transformation journey, noting that the hackathon not only showcased the potential of Generative AI but also demonstrated how such technology could drive meaningful change in addressing the country’s challenges. Sushil Bhattachan, CEO of AgileMove Inc., expressed excitement over providing a platform for young tech enthusiasts to collaborate with experienced mentors, highlighting the transformative power of such collaborations.
The success of the HACKDAY! Gen-AI Hackathon Contest 2024 reflects the growing innovation landscape in Nepal. It underscores the potential of young Nepali innovators to drive the country toward a more prosperous and digitally empowered future, with IIDS and its partners committed to continuing their efforts in nurturing the next generation of tech talent.
