A team of T&M-DDP students - Franklin CHEUNG, LIN Wai Ching, Bosco TSOI, and Sunny SZE - has clinched the championship in the Sustainable Food and Waste Systems track at the inaugural GenAI Hackathon for SDGs. Jointly organized by HKUST, HKU, CityU, and HKBU, this month-long competition challenged participants to develop AI-powered solutions for pressing global issues.

Their winning project, EcoChef, tackles a stark reality of food waste in Hong Kong, where four major supermarket chains discard 30 tonnes of edible food daily, enough to feed 40,000 families. This mobile application harnesses Generative AI to connect consumers with near-expired supermarket products, generating personalized recipes from available ingredients. The solution creates a perfect synergy: shoppers enjoy discounted prices, supermarkets minimize losses, and the environment benefits from reduced waste.

The team's diverse expertise in computer science, finance, and business proved crucial in developing their commercially viable solution. They implemented cutting-edge AI techniques, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and advanced tool calling functions, setting their project apart in technical sophistication and practical application.

Running from September 21st to October 19th, the hackathon distinguished itself from traditional short-format competitions by providing participants with an extended period to develop comprehensive solutions to global challenges. The competition focused on three crucial themes: Good Life for an Ageing Population, Sustainable Food and Waste Systems, and Inclusive City for All.

Congratulations again to the team!