Abu Dhabi Initiates AI Datathon STEM Competition To Foster Youth Engagement In AI

In a significant move to bolster STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and engagement among the youth, the Advanced Technology Research Council’s (ATRC) programme management and business development arm, ASPIRE, has joined forces with the Abu Dhabi Youth Council. This collaboration marks the launch of the pilot AI Datathon STEM Competition, a strategic initiative aimed at undergraduate students specializing in computer science, data science, and related fields. The competition is a cornerstone of ASPIRE’s UAE STEM Competitions League, which encompasses a series of STEM competitions and events in partnership with key stakeholders.

The AI Datathon is scheduled to take place on the 1st and 2nd of March, 2024, at the ATRC Yas Office Auditorium. This event is poised to become an annual highlight, drawing five teams from prestigious universities across the UAE - Abu Dhabi University (ADU), UAE University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and Khalifa University (KU). These teams will engage in solving complex AI and deep learning challenges over the course of two days.

To prepare participants for the competition, a pre-competition course was conducted from the 16th to the 18th of February, 2024, at the ATRC Masdar Auditorium. The competition's format involves three tasks of increasing complexity, requiring teams to apply mathematical techniques and data preprocessing concepts to solve real-world data analysis problems. The third task will be revealed on the first day of the datathon, adding an element of suspense.

The winning team will be awarded a cash prize of AED15,000, with evaluations based on accuracy, performance, code quality, innovation, and report quality. Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, emphasized the importance of empowering youth with practical AI experience to foster a transformative future with AI at its core. This initiative aims to position the UAE as a burgeoning global innovation hub by nurturing the next generation of AI enthusiasts.

Mohamed Alwahedi, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Youth Council, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with ASPIRE in organizing this pivotal event. He highlighted the competition's role in empowering youth with advanced skills and opportunities in artificial intelligence. By promoting innovation and collaboration among students, this initiative seeks to contribute positively to Abu Dhabi's youth community and support national sustainable development through a knowledge-based economy.

The AI Datathon STEM Competition represents a progressive approach to learning by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in AI and deep learning. This hands-on experience is designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to navigate and excel in tomorrow's technology domain.

With inputs from WAM