University
News and events
Students to Develop Cutting-Edge AI Solutions for Real-World Challenges

Students to Develop Cutting-Edge AI Solutions for Real-World Challenges

September 9, 2024

From October 4 to 6, Riga Technical University (RTU) will host the Baltic AI Hackathon. Organized by the RTU Science and Innovation Centre in collaboration with Meta, IBM, Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu University, and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, the event invites Baltic students from all academic levels and study programs to address real-world societal challenges using the limitless potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

During the hackathon, students will develop generative AI solutions, tackling key challenges in education, social inclusion, sustainability, and public services. These challenges are defined by a number of hackathon partners, including Riga Stradins University, Tartu University, the Latvia State Radio and Television Center, the Road Transport Administration of Latvia, the Consumer Rights Protection Centre, and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency.

Participants will benefit from high-performance infrastructure provided by IBM, including access to Meta's Large Language Model, Llama 3. This platform will enable real-time development and testing of generative AI concepts supported by state-of-the-art computing power. The top prize for the hackathon is a visit to the Meta FAIR AI laboratory in Paris, France. In addition to the main prize, participants will have the chance to win other valuable incentive awards.

The event will take place at RTU's Institute of Architecture and Design, located at Ķipsalas Street 6, Riga. English will be the official working language. Registration is open until October 1, and the number of participants is limited.

Gatis Ozols, Deputy Secretary of State for Digital Transformation at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM), emphasizes Latvia's goal of becoming a leader in AI implementation: "Latvia's ambition is to become the most AI-friendly country in Europe. Hackathons play a crucial role in offering a safe space for innovation and collaboration. These events accelerate the creation of new ideas, fostering cross-sector cooperation to develop innovative solutions. Our state program, 'Digital Academy,' will continue to support AI prototype development in the public sector."

Meanwhile, Vitnija Saldava, Regional Public Policy Manager for Meta in the Baltics, also highlights the significance of this initiative: "No current technology has more potential to bring more opportunities to societies and economies than AI, and we believe that a flourishing open-source community is central to realizing that potential. Since their release in early 2023, our Llama models have been downloaded hundreds of millions of times, and already built impactful solutions, including here in the Baltics. We're proud to be sponsoring this initiative that will bring together students, academics, private and public industry to further support the Baltics in becoming a European leader in AI."

Given the event's technical nature, registered participants can join informative online sessions on September 24 and October 1. These sessions will introduce the technologies used during the hackathon and the challenges set by the event partners.

The first day of the hackathon will also feature a kick-off session dedicated to the Baltic AI ecosystem and policy-makers, discussing the region's potential to lead Europe in AI innovation. Register for the kick-off event here.

The event is supported by Meta, IBM, VARAM, Tilde, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia, the Lithuanian Innovation Agency, Emergn, KPMG, and other partners.