AUS inaugural AI-City Quest Hackathon challenges UAE students to develop smart city solutions Using AI and blockchain

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) Department of Computer Science and Engineering recently organized its inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Quest, a hackathon at the cutting edge of AI and blockchain education.

The hackathon attracted 53 students from 13 UAE universities, who formed 20 teams to compete in a rigorous showcase of skill and creativity. Participants were tasked with developing solutions that integrated machine learning and geospatial analytics to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban systems, a vital step towards realizing the vision of a smart city.

"The AI-City Quest is not just a competition; it's a crucial incubator for the future of smart city technologies in the UAE. It offers a dynamic platform for students to tackle real-world problems using advanced AI and blockchain technologies, enhancing their readiness for global challenges," said Dr. Imran Zualkernan, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at AUS.

"In its inaugural edition, AI-City Quest Hackathon provided participants nationwide with an enriching experience through innovative challenges and informative workshops leading up to the event. Hosting such competitions resonates with the National AI Strategy, which aims to establish the UAE as a global AI leader by integrating AI into vital sectors. Such competitions play a vital role in equipping individuals with the expertise needed to drive innovation and shape the future of AI in both the UAE and the wider region," said Dr. Salam Dhou, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Chair of AI-City Quest Hackathon.

The competition showcased the remarkable talents of all participants. Team R&D from AUS secured first place, showcasing their ability in harnessing AI to optimize Dubai’s powergrid network and propel the city towards its smart city aspirations. Team Blossoms from the University of Sharjah secured second place with their creative use of blockchain for municipal services. Team Tech Titans from BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, earned third place by utilizing AI for real-time data processing in urban infrastructure.

“The hackathon was a thrilling opportunity to apply state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to practical problems in geospatial image processing. It pushed us beyond our academic research and allowed us to innovate with classical and deep learning approaches. Participating in this hackathon was incredibly rewarding, and we look forward to future challenges," said Rohan Mitra from AUS’ winning team.

The hackathon was made possible with the support of AUS industry partners Bybit, Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the Emirati Society of GIS and Remote Sensing (ESGRS) and MIT Senseable City Lab in Dubai. 

"Blockchain technology holds incredible promise not just for economic systems, but also for creating solutions that address real-world issues such as energy distribution and urban planning. Our support for this event stems from our belief in 'Care, Create, Change.' We are committed to fostering innovations that can significantly enhance societal well-being," said Yun Han Wong, Web3 Lead at Moledao and Community Advocate at Blockchain for Good Alliance.

Phoebe Peng, Person in Charge of Crypto Ark at Bybit, noted that, "Bybit—as the crypto ark and gateway to web3—will continue to support BGA and AUS to facilitate innovation by using blockchain technology."

The AUS Department of Computer Science and Engineering shapes its curriculum around two core pillars: artificial intelligence and smart cities. The department offers several degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and a newly introduced Master of Science in Machine Learning. To learn more about these programs, click here.