The Global Challenge University Edition top teams  – IBM Developer

Trashtag is the 2021 University Challenge Winner. The team will receive USD $10K and each student will be invited to apply for IBM job opportunities. IBM will consider each application, and will invite those team members to interview for roles for which they qualify.

In the fight against climate change, we know fresh thought and innovation can come from anywhere. Yet every year we’re continually inspired by the Call for Code submissions from universities. And this year is no different. The top five entrants cover a broad range of solutions, ranging from agriculture to waste management, and from sanitation to zero hunger. Check out the entries from across the globe and tune in to the 2021 Call for Code Awards on November 16 to learn who will be the winner of the University Edition of the Call for Code Global Challenge.

Trashtag (Institut supérieur d’électronique de Paris, France)
The issue of waste has severe implications for climate change, with almost 10 million tons of waste dumped into oceans and natural environments each year. Trashtag is looking to change this by offering a platform to incentivize local community members who can play an important role in removing waste. Considered “Trashtag Warriors,” these community members can share the work they have done through the application, using AI to analyze “before” and “after” pictures of an area that has been cleared. Jobcoin, a purpose-built cryptocurrency, is awarded through the platform to incentivize positive action.

Agrofate (University Center FIAP, Brazil)
Agriculture is a leading contributor to climate change with the problem growing as rainfall decreases and the water needs for farming escalate. Agrofate is tackling the problem head on with a simple mobile app to help small farmers get crop watering recommendations based on real-time weather data and soil conditions. The team has seen the need for this first-hand in their native Brazil where 35 million people don’t have access to safe drinking water and agriculture is the largest consumer of water.

FarmAid (University of Sydney, Australia)
Even the smallest flooding and drought events can affect smallholder farmers who account for over 80% of the world’s food supply. These farmers are often left uncatered for due to poor infrastructure and financial limitations. FarmAid provides AI solutions and advice to help farmers stay one step ahead of extreme weather events that threaten their livelihood, including access to weather reports, photo-based crop analysis, production cycle recommendations and more.

Mile-12 (Augustana University, New York University, PSG College of Arts and Science, United States, UAE, India)
Many small farmers and food producers struggle to create a sustainable business model to support themselves and their families. This becomes increasingly difficult as climate changes and more risk is introduced into the system. This application uses artificial intelligence to help food producers form cooperatives, forge links with distributors and consumers and receive advice on how to enhance profits by providing tools like price recommendations for produce.

Well Well (UTCC / Harbour Space, Thailand)
As climate change heightens the risk of drought, finding the right location for a water well is a growing problem in many parts of the world. Using machine learning and historical data, Well Well simplifies this grueling and expensive process by helping predict locations to drill. For those without access to internet or mobile devices, Well Well also offers a cheap portable device that guides users to the nearest ideal place to drill based on GIS data.

These top five university finalists have answered the call and demonstrate what can happen when young talent, innovation, and technology connect. Agrofate, FarmAid, Mile-12, Trashtag, and Well Well remain in the running for the University Edition grand prize of $10k USD and a chance to interview with IBM. So, who will win? Tune in to the 2021 Call for Code Awards on November 16 to find out!