AI for Sustainability

 

• Renewable Energy Optimization and Management: Develop a unique solution to optimize or manage renewable energy systems. Participants can craft algorithms that predict energy demand, optimize supply, or ensure peak performance of clean energy operations, contributing to a more efficient and resilient green energy landscape. 
• Urban Planning and Smart Cities: Explore the intersection of AI and urban sustainability. Participants can devise innovative solutions like AI-driven traffic management systems, energy-efficient smart buildings, or data analysis tools for better city planning. These applications will contribute to the development of smarter and more sustainable cities. 
• Biodiversity Preservation and Ecosystem Management: Immerse yourself in the world of AI-driven conservation. Participants may create solutions such as AI algorithms for monitoring and protecting endangered species, employing remote sensing to analyze ecosystems, or predicting and mitigating the impact of human activities. These projects aim to safeguard biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience. 

Challenge Activities and Steps

 

STEP 1: Registration/Ideation

February 9, 2024 – March 3, 2024 

Create or join a team of 2-4 post-secondary students. For this stage, prepare a 5-7 page PowerPoint presentation outlining your project and its potential impact. All submissions must be in English and should be uploaded to the platform as a PDF file by 11:59 PM (ET) on March 3, 2024.  

 

STEP 2: Development

March 3, 2024 – March 13, 2024

During this stage, teams will have time to further develop their concept. The deliverable for this stage is a 3–5 minute video presentation demonstrating your solution, the technology behind it, as well as the market it is serving. All submissions must be in English and should be uploaded to the platform by 11:59 PM (ET) on March 13, 2024.  

The voting stage will occur between March 14-15. Up to five teams will be chosen to advance to the finals. The finalist teams will receive notification on the evening of March 15, 2024.

 

STEP 3: The Final Pitch

March 18, 2024 

Between March 15-18, the top 5 teams will have time to refine their solution/prototype and prepare a 5-minute presentation, including an optional prototype demonstration. The finalist teams will pitch their solutions to the jury at a live virtual event on March 18, 2024. 

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Evaluation Criteria

ORIGINALITY & INNOVATION - 30%

Does the project offer an original, innovative approach to addressing the selected problem? Is the project ambitious or creative within the constraints of the challenge timeline? Is this a new idea or has the team used this idea in the past?

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE - 30%

Does your team make effective and appropriate use of the selected tools and technologies? Does the team effectively communicate a solution to the challenge?

TEAM DIVERSITY & COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS - 10%

Does your team reflect diversity? Does your team have a complementary skill set that enables you to tackle the different aspects of your project?

IMPACT & FEASIBILITY - 30%

Does the project address a clear need, problem, or opportunity? Does the project fit the problem it addresses? Does the team have a credible plan for implementing their proposed solution and does the solution have a good product/market fit?

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Eligibility/Rules

• Must be a Canadian post-secondary student (including abroad) or an international student attending a Canadian post-secondary school
• Teams must be 2-4 people
• All team members must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary school or have graduated in the past 6 months
  Note: we will require documentation of the above to process any prizing
• Must be an original idea not used in previous pitch events, school projects, grant proposals, etc.