The AI for Impact Hackathon: A Journey of Empowerment and Innovation in APAC

The AI for Impact Hackathon, hosted by Google Cloud in partnership with Hack2skill, brought together a dynamic community of innovators from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. With over 1.6 Million Reach and 22,000+ registrations, the event is fostering collaboration and creativity among APAC developers, encouraging them to leverage Google Cloud AI tools to address pressing societal challenges.

The AI For Impact hackathon received over 1,200+ innovative ideas, showcasing the potential to harness AI for positive change in various domains, including healthcare, natural disaster response, public services, environmental conservation, and more.

Building a Strong Foundation

To further empower the developer community, Hack2skill, in collaboration with Google Cloud, conducted a series of workshops focused on Building Applications in the AI Era using Gemini and Vertex AI Agent Builder. During these sessions, 7,500+ developers were trained, equipping them with the skills needed to create innovative AI-powered solutions.

The workshops delved into practical applications of AI, exploring how to integrate AI to enhance efficiency. Participants learned to understand the role of Gemini, leverage it with the Cloud Code IDE extension, and generate and complete code effectively. Additionally, the sessions covered the fundamentals of Vertex AI, including its search and conversation capabilities. By transitioning from predictive AI to generative AI with Gemini, developers gained insights into the latest advancements in the field. Hands-on demos of Vertex AI search and conversation further solidified their understanding and practical skills.

To ensure we reached a wider audience across the APAC region, the sessions were conducted in many local languages such as English, Simplified Chinese, Bahasa, and Korean. This multilingual approach allowed us to engage with a diverse group of developers and enthusiasts, providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to harness the power of AI, regardless of their language preference.

What’s Next in the AI for Impact Hackathon?

With Phase 1, Registration and Ideation now successfully completed, the AI for Impact Hackathon is gearing up for its next exciting stages.

Phase 2: Prototype Development and Mentorship

In this phase, the top 100 teams will be shortlisted and they will work on building the prototypes. To support participants, an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session will be organized, giving teams the opportunity to clarify their doubts and refine their approaches with expert guidance. Teams will also receive mentorship from seasoned practitioners and Google Cloud mentors, helping them perfect their prototypes into impactful, real-world solutions. This phase will culminate with the final submission of prototypes, marking a crucial milestone in the hackathon journey.

Phase 3: The Grand Finale

The third and final phase promises to be a thrilling culmination of the hackathon. During the Grand Finale, the top 10 shortlisted teams will be announced, setting the stage for an exciting Demo Day. On this day, participants will pitch their solutions to a distinguished jury, showcasing how their AI-powered innovations address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact. This is their chance to shine on a global platform, gain recognition, and compete for prizes that can propel their projects to the next level.

As the hackathon transitions from ideation to implementation and eventually to the final showcase, the excitement and anticipation continue to grow. The AI for Impact Hackathon is not just a competition — it’s a journey of learning, collaboration, and innovation, empowering participants to leave a lasting mark on the future of technology in the APAC region.

To learn more about AI For Impact initiatives and upcoming events, please visit our website.