In November, Strathmore University in collaboration with the Nation Media Group (NMG) hosted the inaugural Pre-summit hackathon ahead of the 3rd Annual Global Data and Artificial Intelligence Summit (GDSAI) to demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence can advance the creation, distribution, and consumption of media in the media industry. It brought together media enthusiasts, scholars, and professionals from various institutions including Strathmore University, ALX Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenyatta University (KU), and Ipso, among others.
Each team brought their best to the table, eager not only to claim the prize but also to demonstrate their prowess in creating new revenue streams, addressing market demands, and captivating audiences through the power of emerging technologies. Out of the 22 teams, three teams were crowned winners of the hackathon and these were:
Kenyatta University’s Team X members Myles Mburu, Jackson Obere, Wambui Karanja, and Delbert Kiyegon scooped first place winning the grand prize of USD 1,000 (Ksh. 129,000) with their project, Geo-Enhanced Nation—a personalized, hyper-local news platform that delivers targeted content and ads based on users’ precise geographic locations. Their solution stood out for its exceptional audience engagement promising to boost rural Kenyan’s interaction with journalistic content by combining real-time data with advanced geo-targeting to create a customized news experience.
SignSema, a solo project by Mark Maara from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology was the first runner to win a cash prize of USD 750 (Ksh. 97,600) for creating an intelligent sign language interpreter platform that seamlessly translates sign language into text and vice versa using emerging technologies to bridge communication gaps for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Team Rubani members from Ipsos Wanajao Collins, Trixie Moek, Richard Gachiri, and Elizabeth Thuo, were placed third winning a cash prize of USD 500(Ksh. 65,000) for their AI-powered platform developed for Nation Media Group (NMG) to enhance content creation, optimize SEO, and drive personalized engagement.
We were privileged to meet the winners and hear their inspiring journeys firsthand. As they shared their stories, we gained insight into the challenges they overcame and the determination that drove them to the champion’s podium.
What inspired your project?
Team Rubani: During our project preparation, we tested Google searches using random headlines related to Kenya. For instance, when we searched for “Mandamano” (peaceful demonstration), and noticed that the top results did not feature articles from Nation, Africa, This highlighted a gap in search visibility for their content. With the automated SEO solution we envision, Nation Media’s articles would consistently rank at the top of search results for topics related to Kenya and East Africa. This increased visibility would drive more traffic to the site, improving the conversion rate. More site visits would lead to a higher chance of users subscribing to paid products, ultimately boosting revenue for Nation Media Group.
What were the different roles each member played?
Team Rubani: Collins was the team leader, overseeing PowerPoint presentations and leveraging generative AI to create hyper-personalized user experiences for Nation Digital Media. Elizabeth, our SEO expert, brought extensive knowledge from her research in Search Engine Optimization, a critical component of our platform’s functionality. Her expertise ensured our content reached the right audience effectively.
Trixie excelled in chatbot development and implemented a feature allowing users to receive narrated summaries of newspapers and front-page headlines. This involved advanced AI integration, which was spearheaded using open-source Python libraries. Her contributions were pivotal in enhancing the user engagement features we aimed to deliver to Nation Media.
Richard took charge of the front-end development of our AI-powered platform, “Rubani.” creating demos and mockups showcasing the platform’s potential interface and capabilities using his strong computer science background and software engineering expertise, he played a critical role in bringing our vision to life. Together, our team worked collaboratively to design innovative solutions tailored for Nation Media.
Going forward, do you have any intentions with the winning project?
Team SignSema: I am working on developing a standalone sign language product that is financially sustainable, and has the potential to grow into a comprehensive hub for all things related to sign language: learning, interpreting, and video language dubbing. One exciting feature we’re working on is the ability for users to upload videos to the app and have them dubbed in sign language in real time as they watch. With big ambitions for the future, we are making steady progress, moving step by step toward turning this vision into a reality.
Team X: We are excited to move into the implementation phase with Nation Media Group (NMG). The industry’s slower adoption of technology presents numerous opportunities to bridge gaps and drive innovation. This project is part of our long-term vision, and partnering with NMG is a key step toward realizing its full potential.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Team X: This hackathon was one where we truly came prepared. We had a clear plan, solid content, and knew our objectives, which allowed us to anticipate potential questions from the judges. Our preparation paid off, and even the judges praised our readiness. However, one major challenge we encountered was the limited time available to develop the prototype. While we focused heavily on perfecting our slides and how we would present the product to both the audience and judges, we underestimated the time needed to fully showcase the prototype. As a result, during the final presentation, we ran out of time to cover some key aspects of our project. The pressure of the competition, coupled with the ticking clock, intensified the challenge.
On top of that, being in the spotlight and under scrutiny added to the nervousness. After the final pitch, I felt discouraged, unsure whether we would make it. But despite those doubts, I’m proud of how we persevered. We gave it our all, and our pitch stood out. Reflecting on it now, I’m proud of how well we handled the pressure and delivered, even when things didn’t go exactly as planned.
In conclusion, participating in the hackathon was a transformative experience that tested the team’s skills, teamwork, and resilience. Despite the challenges faced, from time constraints to the pressure of delivering under scrutiny, we remained focused on their goals. The lessons learned and the feedback received have not only strengthened their project but also inspired the teams and audience to push the boundaries of innovation. This journey reaffirmed their belief in the power of technology to bridge gaps and unlock new opportunities.
Written by Ajuna Lindah