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Curiosity leads to innovation. With the right questions and analysis, we can make data do amazing things. For years, SAS has strived to develop technologies that provide companies
Curiosity leads to innovation. With the right questions and analysis, we can make data do amazing things. For years, SAS has strived to develop technologies that provide companies with insights to solve their biggest challenges. And it is also the basis of the SAS Hackathon, which brings people together worldwide to support numerous topics with data and AI.
What if you could save the Amazon rainforest from the comfort of your sofa? In recent years, the broader community has helped identify signs of deforestation on satellite imagery and train an AI model that can protect our planet’s green lungs. It’s a great example of how we use data, analytics and AI technology to solve global problems.
Curiosity is the common factor in the DNA of intelligent brains that use data to create models. The term refers to our ability to think creatively and solve problems, skills that are increasingly valued by businesses today. The SAS Hackathon is the annual curiosity highlight. It is an implementation of SAS’ core belief: that we make progress by pushing our limits and challenging the status quo. And that technological solutions with a social purpose are often a catalyst for positive change.
The concept of the SAS Hackathon is simple. Teams can register worldwide with a project idea. If selected, they can use the SAS platform for a full month during the hackathon to develop their solution, supported by short training sessions and the advice of a SAS mentor. This year, no fewer than 1,400 people from 69 countries have registered. In the end, 104 teams were able to qualify in different categories. A Belgian team from the manufacturing industry, specifically the steel industry, took part in the hackathon to work on quality improvement.
The Belgian project is just one example of the wide range of creative ideas with which teams around the world participated in the SAS Hackathon. All projects are divided into different categories depending on the industry. For example, in banking, a team wanted to develop a banking application that would give consumers more information about the social and environmental impact of their purchases. Anyone looking to buy something can use the app to instantly see a product’s footprint and social impact. The app aims to encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices.
Sustainability is the common thread in a large number of hackathon projects. The Nature 360 team proves how surprising this can sometimes be: They analyze sensor data from cooking stoves in Africa in order to reduce CO2 emissions and counteract deforestation. Their solution uses machine learning to recognize patterns in cooking behavior, allowing users to get advice on how to cook more efficiently and with less wood. Another team, the Positive Thinking Company, uses IoT sensors and data analytics to identify energy inefficiencies in manufacturing companies and reduce waste. Not only is this good for business spending, it’s also good for the planet.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important everywhere, including in the fashion world. One of the teams analyzed various sources, including social media, to develop an AI solution that can predict customer preferences and expectations. The tool aims to help designers focus on fashion that is both innovative and sustainable. Of course, ESG initiatives are about more than just the environment. Social challenges also play a central role in the SAS Hackathon. For example, a team has developed a tool that shows expectant parents the costs associated with pregnancy and helps them to get through this special time financially in the best possible way.
The projects are all examples of creative ways to work with data and develop solutions that improve our lives and the world.
This is a contribution from Mathias Coopmans, EMEA Technology Futures Lead – Architecture & Cloud at SAS. Would you like to discover the other participants of this SAS Hackathon? Then read this blog. We will find out the winners on June 1, 2023. You can also follow the announcement live online.
Source: IT Daily
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
