Today, nearly 75% of the world’s population lives within 50 kilometers of the ocean. Coastal zones host critical ecosystems, infrastructure and economic assets. So, it’s of growing concern that these stretches of land are increasingly vulnerable to the dramatic effects of climate change.
Given the importance of this topic, our 2024 challenge focuses on coastal resilience. Participants will have an opportunity to use AI for good, working with satellite datasets as part of a community solving societal and environmental problems through technology.
The challenge consists of two phases. Phase 1 is to develop machine learning and AI models using high-resolution satellite data to assess storm damage and support disaster response and recovery efforts in data-poor coastal environments. Phase 2 is to create a practical plan describing how the Phase 1 model could be applied by local beneficiaries to assess coastal infrastructure damage, vulnerability, socioeconomic impact, and climate change risk for future storms.
To understand key challenge milestones, participants can source this comprehensive timeline. Also, be sure to watch a replay of the EY orientation session that covered challenge phases, the role of technology and getting started on the challenge journey, and the Ask the Experts panel discussion led by a group of distinguished professionals who responded to dozens of insightful questions relative to the challenge.
Any university student or early-career professional with less than two years of experience can join the challenge. It is also open to all EY employees, regardless of years of experience.
Not only will participants’ models help change the world, the best and brightest ideas are eligible for cash prizes up to $10,000 and attendance at a July 2024 celebration in Athens, Greece.