Non-tech students create AI Apps in youth challenge

SINGAPORE — Nearly 90 teams from 30 schools in Singapore demonstrated that non-tech students could create their own AI applications during the inaugural National Youth AI Prompt Design Challenge.

Organized by Straits Interactive, this three-day event aimed to foster innovation and equip students aged 13 to 25 with generative AI skills.

Requiring no prior coding knowledge, the challenge allowed students to experience hands-on AI tool creation within just three hours.

“We are incredibly pleased and heartened by the breadth and quality of AI applications and tools created by students during this Challenge. They have shown that even without deep tech or coding skills, they can easily be trained to harness the power of Gen AI to solve real-world problems,” said Kevin Shepherdson, CEO and Founder of Straits Interactive.

The event concluded with 87 teams developing impressive AI applications using Straits Interactive’s Capabara AI platform, which provided access to various large language models tailored to different use cases.

The challenge was part of the Digital for Life movement and involved partners like SMU Academy, IMDA, AI Verify Foundation, and the Association of Small Medium Enterprises (ASME).

Ang Yuit, President of ASME, expressed enthusiasm for the event’s success.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to this Challenge among the youth. This signifies that the future generation of our workforce is keen to adopt and harness new skills and technologies, readying them for a rapidly changing world of work.”

Participants attended a three-hour boot camp on prompt design before developing their chatbots or tutors. The teams addressed various educational and business challenges, creating AI tools to improve student well-being, enhance learning, and increase teacher productivity.

The winning teams will receive their awards at a ceremony on July 29, 2024, during the SkillsFuture Festival x SMU 2024.

The award ceremony will be graced by Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Manpower.

Winners may also have the opportunity to work with Straits Interactive, gaining industry experience on the Capabara AI platform.

The judging panel, led by Chief Judge Harish Pillay from AI Verify Foundation, includes industry experts such as Celine Chew from Straits Interactive and Dr. Lim Lai Cheng from the Principals’ Academy.