Saudi declares ‘NEOM Challenge’ winners with most innovative solutions

Global AI Summit
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By Rahul Vaimal, Associate Editor
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The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has declared the winners of the “NEOM Challenge” on the final day of the two days Global AI Summit.

The challenge was a part of the SDAIA’s efforts to bring the full value of data as national wealth and sought to find pioneering solutions to address the challenges in NEOM city.

NEOM is a planned cross-border city in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is planned to incorporate smart city technologies and also function as a tourist destination. The city is expected to have the world’s largest renewable energy plant, through an integrated renewable energy generation system.

In line with the fulfillment of the ambitions of the Saudi Vision 2030 and global leadership in data and artificial intelligence (AI), the “NEOM Challenge” targets to increase AI awareness, promote and encourage innovation thus building capabilities of the Kingdom.

The challenge included three areas like energy, entertainment and transportation and witnessed the participation over 400 participants from 39 universities in Saudi Arabia.

The program offered $1.3 million worth of prizes for the top nine teams which developed innovative and sustainable solutions. The final stage of the challenge was directly evaluated by the representatives from the Ministry of Education, SDAIA, and NEOM.

Prize winners

The SHAMS project from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, oil leakage detection using Al by Jeddah University students and Renewable Energy Resources from the University of Hail won prizes in the energy category.

The entertainment track winners are AI sports project from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, NEO Journey from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Remote Reality Robot project from King Abdulaziz University.

Barq Autonomous Multi UAV Delivery Service System by Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Smart Fleet Management project by Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University students and Autonomous Transportation System from Islamic University of Madinah students achieved the transportation track prizes.

The two day Global AI Summit was held under the theme “AI for the Good of Humanity” organized by SDAIA. The event hosted 30 sessions, in which nearly 60 speakers participated, including ministers, leaders of global entities, academics, investors and entrepreneurs from 20 countries.