Samsung Electronics MENA, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has unveiled a regional hackathon aimed at supporting initiatives to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. The ACT28 AI for Climate Hackathon seeks to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), mobile technologies, and other cutting-edge technologies to devise creative solutions for the challenges posed by climate change.
The announcement took place during a joint high-level fireside chat between Samsung and UNDP as part of their activities related to COP28. The panel included Omar Saheb, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung MENA, Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of UNDP in Egypt, and Nora Altwaijri, a Samsung Generation17 Young Leader from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The discussion focused on the obstacles and opportunities for young entrepreneurs in the climate-tech sector, the sector’s role in generating employment for youth, and Samsung’s initiatives in the development and investment of green and sustainable technology.
Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of UNDP in Egypt, expressed UNDP’s support for youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship in the climate-tech sector, emphasizing the vital role of youth in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted the potential of young individuals to provide innovative solutions for climate action through their mastery and creativity with technology. Fracassetti praised the ACT28 AI for Climate Hackathon, a collaborative effort with Samsung, as an excellent platform for regional youth to showcase their creativity and skills in developing cutting-edge solutions for addressing a crucial challenge of our time.
Omar Saheb, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics MENA, emphasized Samsung’s commitment to environmental protection and climate action. He expressed delight in partnering with UNDP to inspire the next generation of leaders passionate about addressing climate change. Saheb explained that the hackathon, along with their COP28 participation, supports regional youth in acquiring technical knowledge essential for exploring sustainable solutions to global issues.
The AI for Climate Hackathon, organized in partnership with UNDP and Samsung Electronics, builds on the success of the ‘Hack for Climate Action Hackathon’ at COP27 in Egypt in 2022. This hackathon will challenge young data scientists, AI engineers, and AI researchers from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to collaborate and develop innovative solutions in three thematic areas: Climate Action, Life below Water, and Life on Land.
Participants are encouraged to leverage advanced technologies in their prototypes, 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. The hackathon will also promote the development of mobile-based solutions for greater outreach and user-friendliness, aiming to foster transformative solutions crucial for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices.
Mentors such as Nora Altwaijri and Oğuz Ergen, both Generation17 young leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, respectively, with expertise in AI, mobile technologies, climate change, and sustainable development, will provide guidance and support. Workshops on AI, climate change, and mobile technologies will be organized to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to develop effective solutions.
The hackathon will conclude with a Demo Day, during which the top 10 teams will present their solutions to a broader audience, including industry experts, investors, and policymakers. The top three teams will be invited to Samsung’s premises in Dubai, UAE, for an onsite award ceremony.
