Generative artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a new cornerstone of learning, encouraging students to harness their creativity alongside STEM fundamentals to explore limitless possibilities. At the Solve for Tomorrow tech competition organized by Samsung across Hong Kong, students were challenged to merge creativity with AI technology to deliver innovative solutions for society. Recently, the final round of the competition took place, where projects from the University of Hong Kong, the Elizabeth School Old Students' Association Tang Kwok Wah Secondary School, and the Tai Po Old Market Public School clinched championship titles in their respective categories.
The competition ran from last September to April this year, spanning 8 months and drawing nearly 500 teams from 180 institutions, including universities, colleges, and high schools. Participants attended several workshops on AI and design thinking, benefiting from expert mentors' guidance to refine their projects. This year, the number of participants doubled compared to the previous edition. Nine teams made it to the finals, where the top three teams from each group were crowned after an intense final showdown held last Sunday.
The senior executives of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong Limited expressed their satisfaction with the integration of AI elements into the Solve for Tomorrow competition, hoping to collaborate with the academic community to promote creative applications of AI. They also introduced a series of workshops to help students prepare and shape their futures. The finalist teams, guided by renowned mentors, delivered impressive final presentations. During the event, guests also discussed the impact of AI across various industries, including enhancing the smart features of smartphones.
For instance, the experts at MedEXO Robotics mentioned that applying AI to medical and assistive tools can enhance the effectiveness of personalized rehabilitation training. As for the founder of SDMC, he emphasized the importance of data analysis and AI in digital marketing, highlighting how they can significantly cut down analysis time while improving product planning and business models. In summary, the guest lecturers encouraged students to continue their education in the field of AI, urging them to grasp the principles behind these technologies in order to remain competitive in this rapidly evolving world.
This year's competition theme reflects the real-world applications of AI through the winning entries in each category. For instance, the winning project in the secondary school category, Kangle Tong, is a smart bracelet paired with a mobile application. It was created by Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School, affiliated with the Elizabeth School Old Students' Association. This innovation is designed to use an AI assistant Alè to assist seniors in solving everyday minor challenges. The bracelet, integrated with AI technology, enables caregivers to better understand the health status of elderly individuals, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
The participating students designed this project after noticing the needs of the elderly around them and tested it multiple times using the Alè AI model. This app offers a 24/7 AI assistant, mental health evaluation, as well as medical advice and information on community activities. The students excelled in this project and received valuable guidance from their mentors to enhance the bracelet's features.
The winning project in the primary school category, Chef AI: A Feast for the Taste Buds APP, uses tongue photography to provide users with personalized advice on nutritional therapy, serving as a standout example of AI technology in action. This project was developed by the students over the last summer vacation and stood out brilliantly. The teacher mentoring the team emphasized that it wasn’t just an academic challenge but also an invaluable opportunity for the students to gain meaningful competition experience.
On the other hand, the team from the University of Hong Kong has developed iWalk Smart Insoles, which can gather data on walking, provide personalized fitness recommendations, and detect foot and posture-related issues early, showcasing the potential applications of AI in the medical field.
In addition to cash prizes, Samsung also offers university category champions an internship opportunity within the company, highlighting its commitment to nurturing the talents of tomorrow. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the collaboration program with the Education Bureau, which also provides internships for winning high school teams. The aim is to inspire more young people to get involved in the development of AI and technology in Hong Kong.
