With the amazing support from Beiersdorf, Teens in AI pulled off a spectacular hackathon in Birmingham, England, on November 2nd and 3rd, 2023. This wasn’t your typical coding showdown; it was about sparking a love for tech in the hearts of our young talents.
A vibrant mix of teens, ages 12 to 18, from underserved communities, diving into a thrilling adventure to explore their tech passions. The mission? Bridge the tech gap and nurture the next wave of ethical AI researchers, visionary entrepreneurs, and inspiring leaders.
Now, let’s shine a spotlight on the stars of the Hamburg hackathon: Team 🏆Blue Dot🏆, featuring the brilliant minds of Dylan H., Bella H., Enoch L., Ismael L. They introduced “Sparkle Safety,” an app installing microchips in jewellery for women, voice-activated to call for help when specific keywords are detected. A game-changer in preventing domestic violence.
Kudos to our mentors, who generously shared their time and expertise, guiding our teens through their projects.
A special shoutout to Dr. Maryam Sani, Ricky Malhi, Chizurum Ogedengbe, Charlotte Cox, Victor Eleanya, MANDY SANGHERA, Riya Maurya, Angela George, Elisha Gretton, Jane Chao, Beth Donaghy, and Wajid Ali for their extraordinary contributions!
A round of applause for our exceptional speakers:
- Mandy Sanghera, Philanthropist and Human Rights Activist
- Julian Hale, UX Consultant, CX Creative
- Paul Price, General Manager – Northern Europe, Beiersdorf
And not forgetting our esteemed judges who had the tough job of evaluating ingenious projects:
- Vidya Kumar, HR Director Northern Europe, Beiersdorf
- Joe Comiskey, Regional Director eCommerce Europe, Beiersdorf
- Stephen Dixon, Head of Sales UK & ROI, Beiersdorf
Participants were full of praise for the programme, emphasising the fantastic teamwork, top-notch mentorship, and, of course, the incredible prizes and goodie bags! Their feedback painted a vibrant picture of a hackathon that not only thrived but also fostered a supportive and enriching environment, leaving a lasting impression on all the young minds involved.
Aligning with the UK Government's objectives for a safer AI future
The Care Beyond Skin Hackathon further illustrates a shared commitment to creating a brighter and more sustainable future for all through ethical AI. Teens in AI’s mission aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the UK Government’s AI Safety Summit taking place at Bletchley Park, UK, on 1 November 2023. Both initiatives share a vision of fostering a world where technology and AI can be harnessed for the greater good. The objectives of the Summit, including understanding the risks of frontier AI, international collaboration for AI safety, and promoting safe AI development for global benefits, resonate strongly with Teens in AI’s dedication to inspiring responsible leaders, innovators, and technologists who shape the world of tomorrow. It is a collective effort to ensure that the potential of AI is harnessed safely and ethically for the betterment of society.
About the Teens in AI and Beiersdorf Partnership
Recognising the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s world, the partnership between Teens in AI and Beiersdorf aims to provide these skills to those who may not have the opportunity otherwise. By making the world of responsible AI and technology more accessible, young people from under-resourced communities can be inspired and empowered to shape their dreams and build a better future for themselves and their communities. Teens in AI and Beiersdorf have joined forces to create a tangible impact by organising a series of nine in-person hackathons across Beiersdorf Group’s European locations.
About Beiersdorf
For more than 140 years, caring for human skin has been our passion. In society, we extend our care by investing in a sustainable and diverse world. This is our purpose: to Care Beyond Skin.
Read more Beiersdorf Purpose.
