Lahore, 25th November 2024The Artificial Intelligence Education Foundation (AIEF), and Soliton Technologies, proudly concluded the AIEF – 2nd AI International Championship 2024 at FAST National University, solidifying Pakistan’s position as a burgeoning hub for artificial intelligence innovation. Building on the success of last year’s national competition, this year’s event drew participants and experts from across the globe, showcasing transformative AI projects and fostering cross-border collaboration.

From over 200+ project submissions, 33 projects were meticulously shortlisted from prestigious universities in Pakistan, China, and the USA. These projects tackled real-world challenges, presenting innovative AI applications in healthcare, e-commerce, smart agriculture, and more. This diversity of ideas and international representation underlined the championship’s evolution into a global platform for AI innovation.

Global Recognition and Expert Insights

Dr. Fan Zhang, Professor, Zhejiang University and Chief Guest, hailed the event as a milestone in Pakistan’s AI journey:
“This championship highlights Pakistan’s growing prominence in the global AI landscape. The technical expertise and creativity demonstrated here are exceptional, promising a bright future for AI innovation in this region.”

The event featured keynote addresses, research presentations, and a high-profile panel discussion titled Using AI to Create an Alternate Reality for Pakistan.” The panel explored how AI could revolutionize sectors such as governance, education, and healthcare while addressing the country’s unique challenges. Esteemed panelists included:

  • Dr. Rick Arrowood: Online Teaching and Learning Expert Lecturer at D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University
  • Dr. Javed Akram: Former Minister of Health, Government of Pakistan.
  • Dr. Basit Shafiq: Director AIEF and Associate Professor of Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, LUMS.
  • Dr. Muhammad Sabieh Anwar: Professor Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, LUMS.
  • Dr. Amir Wali: HOD AI & Data Science Dept, FAST University.
  • Muhammad Kashif: Co-Founder & MD Soliton Group and AIEF

The discussion was expertly moderated by Dr. Safee Ullah Chaudhary, Director, AIEF and Associate Professor, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering LUMS.

Dr. Summaira Sarfraz, Director, FAST NUCES, Lahore and Chair Host of the 2nd AI International Championship, emphasized the significance of the event:
“This championship represents a remarkable step forward in fostering global collaboration and innovation in AI. Hosting such a prestigious event at FAST reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of AI leaders and positioning Pakistan as a global player in this transformative field.”

Their insights emphasized the importance of fostering global collaborations while developing AI solutions tailored to local needs with global relevance.

Winning Innovations

The competition concluded with three standout teams recognized for their groundbreaking projects:

1st Prize: Team 21 – ARIA (COMSATS Islamabad, Lahore Campus) for their revolutionary mental health AI assistant.

2nd Prize: Team 15 – Archentra (COMSATS Islamabad, Lahore Campus) for their cutting-edge AI-driven innovation.

3rd Prize: Team 22 – NLPT (FAST NUCES, Lahore) for their advanced clinical Natural Language Processing framework.

A Catalyst for Global Collaboration

Dr. Fauzia Khan, CEO of Soliton Technologies & AIEF, highlighted the championship’s significance:
“This international championship represents a quantum leap in our mission to position Pakistan as a leader in the global AI ecosystem. By fostering international collaboration, we aim to unlock AI’s potential for social and economic transformation.”

The event concluded with a vibrant networking session where participants, experts, and industry leaders explored opportunities for future collaborations.

The AIEF – 2nd AI International Championship 2024 not only showcased Pakistan’s emerging talent but also set the stage for its growing influence in the global AI community.

For more information, visit www.aiedu.org.pk.