A Future Full of Dreams Come True

In Spain, Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) serves as an educational platform that trains students to use AI and Big Data to solve societal problems, enhancing their employability in these highly demanded sectors of the labor market. Over 200 students in Spain completed the course in 2023, strengthening their proficiency in AI and programming.

At SIC awards ceremony held at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, a trio of innovative students received recognition for their AI-based solution to protect the environment. Read on to learn more about their award-winning project.

Building a more effective solution

Josep Molina, Iker van den Bosch, and Christian Achlong teamed up to build AI-Scarecrow, an initiative that uses artificial intelligence to detect and neutralize invasive species that are threatful to the environment. Invasive species require effective control as they can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecosystems, and even cause extinctions.

Motivated by the challenge of pigeon infestation in Spain, the team built an effective system that can be used in areas without access to electricity and can even control other species in various different situations. “We saw the need for a more effective and humane way to control pigeons, and we believed that technology could provide a solution,” the team explained. “We aimed for a system that is user-friendly and cost-effective, focused on using a single-board computer and computer vision.”

Making a real difference

SIC promotes technical training across all stages of life, allowing students of different backgrounds and age groups to apply technology such as AI and programming to envision a better future. The winning team added, “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in SIC, as it gave us the resources and support that we needed to develop AI-Scarecrow. We believe that it can make a real difference in the world.”

From brainstorming to project development, SIC supports youth on their journey to finding real solutions that can bring meaningful change in society. As AI continues to reshape the world, SIC remains dedicated to laying the groundwork for students to realize their aspirations through next-generation technology.