Young African Innovators Convene at UM6P, Collaborating Across Borders to Tackle Climate Challenges through AI and Ingenuity.

Young African minds gathered at UM6P for UNLEASH Hacks Morocco, a two-day hackathon aimed at addressing climate challenges and disaster risk reduction using artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by the global initiative UNLEASH in collaboration with the African Consulting Club (ACC) and the African Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB DRR), the event brought together 40 participants, including representatives from several other African countries, who unleashed their creativity to develop solutions around three critical themes:

1. Reinventing Early Warning Systems: Exploring advanced AI solutions to enhance early warning systems, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid responses to climate threats.

2. Planetary Harmony: Using AI to address challenges in sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change.

3. Prosperity through Inclusion: Implementing innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide and integrate indigenous practices, promoting inclusive development, equitable access to information, and socio-economic resilience in Morocco.

Throughout this intense weekend, participants engaged in brainstorming, prototyping sessions, and presented their ideas to a panel of experts. Impressive with their “Sun Alert” solution, a plug-and-play AI-powered early warning system, fueled by solar energy and connected to local mosques, the Disaster Squad Team emerged victorious. Their innovation has the potential to provide personalized warnings to both local residents and authorities with increased accuracy and efficiency.