Students Showcase AI-Based Social Innovations at ‘Hack to the Future 3.0’ in IIT Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Innovative projects addressing social and environmental challenges took centre stage at the conclusion of the four-day “Hack to the Future 3.0 – Odisha Edition” programme held at Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The hackathon, organised jointly by Quest Alliance, Panchasakha Shiksha Setu Sangathan and IIT Bhubaneswar, brought together 64 students from government secondary schools across Odisha who were selected through the Skill Curriculum under the Aspirational Curriculum initiative focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking.

Held under the theme “Shaping Futures, Young People Solving, Learning and Exploring Emerging Technologies,” the programme aimed to encourage students to develop technology-driven solutions for real-life problems through innovation, collaboration and mentorship.

During the four-day event, participants received hands-on exposure to digital innovation, project development, research methodologies and problem-solving techniques. Students also attended sessions on Artificial Intelligence, data analysis and case studies while learning structured approaches such as the “5 Why” Root Cause Analysis method to identify challenges and design practical solutions.

Several student-led projects focusing on child safety, environmental protection and social awareness were showcased during the hackathon.

One of the standout projects was “UDAAN,” a mobile application designed to help prevent child marriage and empower adolescent girls. The app was developed by three Class 10 students from Ganjam district — Aarti Pradhan, Sweet Pradhan and Rudra Pratap Sahu.

The application features sections on awareness, legal rights, parental guidance, government schemes, success stories and emergency support. It also includes contact details of NGOs and government helplines to facilitate timely intervention in child marriage-related cases.

Another notable innovation titled “Forest Fire Detection” was developed by students from Kalahandi district — Sonia Bag, Swati Bachha and Mamashree Sahu. The project uses a mobile application and website to identify potential forest fire zones and send instant WhatsApp alerts to authorities and concerned individuals.

The students said the project was conceptualised keeping in mind forest-rich districts like Kalahandi and aims to support early response systems for protecting forests and wildlife.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony, Director of Higher Secondary Education Niyati Pattnaik and other officials described the initiative as an important platform for nurturing future-ready skills and encouraging innovation among school students.

Among those present were Joint Director of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan Mousumi Sahu, Gajapati District Education Officer Mayadhar Sahu, Cuttack District Education Officer Nityananda Barik, PSSAS officer Tapas Kumar Bisoi and Quest Alliance State Head of School Programmes Yubheka Singh.