AI4Dev 2020 Challenge

“Leveraging Technology to Achieve United Nations SDGs”

The challenges of our economies are becoming increasingly complex. With the innovative use of AI, we can reach simple yet effective solutions.

200+
Applications
100+
Trainings
17
Countries
4
Winners
Meet The Winners Watch Our Video

About
AI For Development

AI for Development (AI4Dev) is a challenge that aims to identify great ideas in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and utilize its impact on 4 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Arab & African states.

AI4Dev is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Facilitated by NilePreneurs, in partnership with UN Agencies and other local and international organizations.

AI4Dev Logo
Artificial Intelligence & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

AI for Development Challenge

With this challenge, we are targeting AI integrated solutions for one of the below United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Icon
2

Goal 2

Help in:

  • Wasting less food
  • Achieving food security and improved nutrition
  • Promoting sustainable agriculture

Learn More
Good Health and Will Being Icon
3

Goal 3

Help in:

  • Ensuring healthy lives
  • Promoting well-being for all at all ages

Learn More
Decent Work and Economic Growth Icon
8

Goal 8

Help in:

  • Creating job opportunities for youth
  • Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth
  • Promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all

Learn More
Industry Innovation and Infrastructure Icon
9

Goal 9

Help In:

  • Fostering innovation
  • Building resilient infrastructure
  • Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization

Learn More

Meet The Winners

1ST Place

ESRA
Qatar

SDGs:
Team Leader:
Team Members:
2ND Place

Access Ai
Somalia

SDGs:
Team Leader:
Team Members:
3RD Place

IntelliCrowd
Tunisia

SDGs:
Team Leader:
Team Members:
4TH Place

Lend an Arm
Nigeria

SDGs:
Team Leader:
Team Members:
Get to Know Them

Application Process

All it takes to Create an impactful AI solution with ITU is to pass through 5 Milestones:

  • 01

    Application
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Participants provide information about themselves & their team as with a brief about their Idea.

  • 02

    Selection
    Nov. 23, 2020

    All Applications get evaluated, and applicants get shortlisted according to the evaluation metrics.

  • 03

    Challenge
    Nov. 24, 2020

    The applicants receive different types of technical and business support by experts in the field.

  • 04

    Judging
    Dec. 16, 2020

    Judges evaluate the applicants’ ideas and prototypes and choose the winners according to criteria.

  • 05

    Closing Ceremony
    Dec. 17, 2020

    The ceremony takes place virtually where the winners get notified, and the prizes are announced.

Meet The Winners
What It Takes to fit

AI4Dev Selection Criteria

Wondering what it took to be a part of the change and become recognized by ITU as a top emerging innovator in the Arab & African states?
Here are some qualities that the winning teams all have in common:

Problem Relevance

Problem Relevance

Ideas relate to at least one the four stated tracks of SDGs and applies to at least the country of submission.

Solution Urgency

Solution Urgency

Products are needed urgently and impact vulnerable groups and beneficiaries.

Solution Scalability

Solution Scalability

Solution offered are scalable with minimal investments needed in new geolocations.

Team Competencies

Team Requirements

The team is diverse with not less than 2 participants and at least 1 female member and have the business and technical skills needed to move forward with the idea.

Use of AI

Use of AI

AI is the core of the idea and is being used innovatively as an integral part of the solution.

Data Acquisition

Data Acquisition

The data planned is sufficient to sustain the model or data could be easily acquired.

Why Join the Challenge?

Prizes

Participants who can innovatively provide a solution to one of our targeted SDGs become eligible to receive mentorship and training from experts in the field with guidance in developing prototypes as well as exposure while presenting to industry experts in the attendance of representatives from UN, and multinational organizations.

Above all, prizes are granted to 4 winners with the following values:


1

1ST Place

Winner

5K USD
2

2ND Place

Winner

3K USD
3

3RD Place

Winner

2K USD
4

4TH Place

Winner

2K USD

Disclaimer: All Prizes awarded to eligible winners are tax-deductible as required by law.

Hear it from our participants

AI4Dev 2020 Experience

Get to Meet

Our Partners

Get to know the collaborations and partnerships coming together around the use of AI to achieve SDGs.

Organizer

ITU
International Telecommunication
Union(ITU)

Facilitator

NP
NilePreneurs (NP)

UN Partners

FAO
FAO
UNDP
UNDP
UNESCO
UNESCO
WHO
WHO

Strategic Partner

Etisalat
Etisalat

Technology Partners

GSMA
GSMA
IBM
IBM
NU
Nile University
RAIN
RAIN
Robusta
Robusta

Outreach Partners

250 Startups
250 Startups
AASTU
AASTU
AI Expo Africa
AI Expo Africa
Alliance4ai
Alliance4ai
GIE
Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship
IEEE
IEEE
Intaj
Intaj
NASA Space Apps
NASA Space Apps
The Tank by Umniah
The Tank by Umniah
Carthage
Université de Carthage
Sfax
Université de Sfax
Sousse
University of Sousse
Zindi
Zindi

Frequently Asked Questions

Having questions about AI4Dev challenge? You might find the answers in our FAQ section below.

Tabs

The SDGs are the abbreviations of “Sustainable Development Goals” designed by the United Nations with the aim of achieving a better future, sustainable for all. They are collectively 17 Goals. In this challenge, we are focusing on 4 SDGs.

This challenge is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Facilitated by NilePreneurs, in partnership with UN Agencies, and other local and international organizations including “Etisalat”.

Judges will evaluate the applicants’ ideas and prototypes, shortlist them and choose the winners according the judging criteria that takes into consideration factors like the problem urgency and team competencies.

No, the team can include members from different countries in Arab and African states.

In addition to a chance to be granted total monetary rewards of 12k USD, you get to be provided ultimate support, mentorship, and training while also gaining a huge exposure.