In a groundbreaking event that brought together innovation, collaboration, and empowerment, GirlCode proudly announces the successful completion of the Ai4Women All-Women Hackathon. As a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to bridging the gender gap in technology, GirlCode has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering diversity and excellence in the world of coding and artificial intelligence.
The Ai4Women All-Women Hackathon, held on August 5-6, 2023, marked a significant milestone in our mission to empower young women with the skills and confidence to excel in the tech industry. With the theme "AI for Women," the event provided a platform for aspiring female coders, engineers, and tech enthusiasts to explore the limitless possibilities of artificial intelligence and its applications.
Throughout the hackathon, participants were immersed in an environment of learning, creativity, and camaraderie. They formed diverse teams, collaborating to develop innovative AI-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges faced by women today. From healthcare to education, sustainability to social justice, the projects showcased the participants' exceptional talents and their dedication to driving positive change.
"We are immensely proud of the achievements of all the participants in the Ai4Women All-Women Hackathon," said Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO of GirlCode. "This event not only showcased the incredible potential of AI to impact the lives of women worldwide but also underscored the importance of women's representation in the technology sector. By providing a platform for these talented individuals to come together, collaborate, and innovate, we are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for the tech industry."
The hackathon took place at three well-equipped venue sponsors across three provinces namely: Riversands Ihub in Johannesburg, Workshop17 in Cape Town, and Ikhokha in Durban. These locations provided conducive environments for collaboration, innovation, and teamwork, contributing to the participants' immersive experience.
The Ai4Women All-Women Hackathon would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, partners such as the Takealot Group, Vumatel, Mint Group, Chenosis, Ninety One, Royal HaskoningDHV, and Wunderman Thompson.
As the event concluded, participants presented their projects to a distinguished panel of judges comprising industry experts and leaders. The quality and creativity exhibited by each project were truly remarkable, making the judging process a testament to the potential that exists when women are given the opportunity to excel in the field of technology.
The winning concept was carefully selected based on its innovative approach, technical implementation, and potential impact on the lives of women. The overall winners were team "Clueless" from Durban, who built an SOS app that can be triggered by pressing it 3 times, which would send an alert to your emergency contacts that you are in danger. The application of the app goes beyond Gender Based Violence and can be used for a wide range of scenarios in which women find themselves in danger. The winners walked away with laptops, JBL headphones, R1000 Takealot vouchers sponsored by the TakeALot Group and an impressive cash prize of R40,000.
GirlCode remains committed to nurturing and expanding the talents of women in technology, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions acknowledged. Through events like the GirlCode Hackathon, we continue to drive progress toward a more inclusive and innovative world.
