GOOD TIMES AT THE AI NI DATATHON!

October ’19, Belfast and Derry/Londonderry

Gillian Colan-o'leary
Nov 4 · 5 min read

A big “thank you” to the 250+ hackers, mentors and sponsors who turned up for the AI NI Datathon weekend, and to our platinum sponsor, AquaQ Analytics!

AquaQ mentors in Belfast and Magee

The other sponsors we’d like to thank are SmashFly, Dell, MCS Group, Slice, Peltarion, Allstate, Techstart Ventures, Invest Northern Ireland, and of course our hosts, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

Caoimhe and Angela, Smashfly
SmashFly swag

“We’re the leader in AI-driven recruitment marketing software, and the only way to continue pushing the market is to source the boldest engineering talent from around the globe. Watching the brightest minds in NI work together to solve complex challenges in our industry is why we’re so excited to be hosting the AI NI Datathon.” (Thom Kenney, CEO)

“Dell Technologies is delighted to be a gold sponsor the AI NI Datathon. We believe that AI — like all technologies — should be at the service of human progress and well being. Today the opportunities to have a positive impact are greater than ever and we look forward to enabling the future innovators!” (Mark Hopkins, Dell Technologies GM)

And recruitment partner, the MCS Group was on hand in Belfast and Magee to give advice and help on CVs and interview techniques.

“The team is extremely proud to be involved in the Datathon and is looking forward to connecting with enthusiastic individuals in this field. Data drives everything in our modern lives, especially business. We have seen huge growth locally in the Data and Analytics industry and it is an exciting market for both employees and employers.” (Chris Busby, Head of IT Permanent IT Recruitment at MCS Group)

Slice kindly provided the pizza for the hackers in Belfast and Magee.

“Slice is the leading technology and marketing platform made exclusively for local pizzerias, making it super easy to order delicious, authentic local pizza anywhere, anytime. Data is integral to the growth trajectory of Slice. It drives important decisions and it is at the heart of giving Slice customers the best possible version of the platform that keeps local thriving!” Miriam Kerbache Director of Operations, Slice

The Peltarion team was onsite to help those using their AI platform. Here’s an interview with one of the teams undertaking their datathon challenge.

Thanks to Invest NI for the support and our hosts QUB and Ulster University.

And thanks to all our mentors!

Sapphire, Chloe and Chloe
Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster Unoversity, Magee Campus

Challenges:

AquaQ: Machine Learning system and Data Analysis for improving
Clean, renewable Energy

Dell: Solving the Climate Crisis and predicting the future

Smashfly: Building AI to Unlearn Bias in Recruitment

Peltarion: Detect the early signs of skin cancer

AI NI Academy: Create something to support a person’s mental health

The winners:

1st place: K’s Nearest Neighbours — Jillian Keenan, Sean Kennedy, Daniel Feenan, Craig Neeson and David Schmitt

A Learning Platform that has a focus on Accessible Learning.

Jonny from AquaQ Analytics and the winning team, K’s nearest Neighbours

2nd place: DirectedIn — Sujit Roy, Dr Jose Sanchez, Przemyslaw Cichy, Mateusz Cichy and Vinay Vibhakar

An app in which the user uploads their resume and it scores their chances of getting selected for a job. It compares this score to user’s experience and will encourage them to highlight a specific skill in order to increase the chance of being selected for interview.

3rd place: AI Necronomicon — Ceilidh Davison, Jordan Smart

The Peltarion challenge.

John from Dell with AI Necronomicon

Highly commended: The Generators — Chloe McAteer, Peter McAree

A platform to facilitate communication of public service announcements for audio-impaired humans, utilising audio classification (and possibly bluetooth beacons!).

Other finalists:

Powerbank — The AquaQ challenge

All in a state — The AquaQ challenge

Insighters — The Smashfly challenge

And LadiesForChange who won the AI NI Academy challenge.

LadiesForChange and Gillian

And congratulations to Liam Ferris, Eamon Compston, Jonny Moore (J Unit) who won the Techstart PoC £10k grant!

Jamie from Techstart with J Unit

It was a great weekend — until next time!

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