In the US and many other industrialized countries, heat events account for more than all other natural hazards combined¹ and cities are getting hit the hardest. Urban areas are most susceptible to heat stress due to the high density of buildings, lack of green space and water bodies, and waste heat from industry and transportation. This phenomenon is known as the “Urban Heat Island” effect and means that cities can be much hotter than suburban and rural areas, which is bad news for health, mental wellness and energy use. With more than half of us living in cities² — a number that's only rising — and with climate change turning up the heat, we've got a growing problem on our hands.

This is where AI and data come in, playing a key role in determining where hotspots exist and are likely to develop, helping urban planners and municipalities design cities that are more livable and resilient.

All entries for the 2025 challenge have been submitted and, after evaluation by our technical team, we are pleased to announce the Top 10 finalist teams:

These finalists will be honored, and the winners will be announced, at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, 22 May. Join us to see who will win top prizes and be on their way to the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Switzerland in July.