Congratulations to the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 winners!

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the key to unlocking greater global economic development lies in equipping students with the essential skills they need to excel. Investing in the development of a skilled workforce proficient in digital and technical capabilities, plus people skills, not only provides an economic advantage but also empowers individuals to drive innovation and growth within their communities.

Microsoft, leveraging the potential of AI and computing skills, is dedicated to ensuring every learner, irrespective of background or circumstance, has access to top-quality educational opportunities. Through a range of products, partnerships, content, and curriculum, Microsoft supports educators in sparking students’ interest and preparing them for the future.

Initiatives such as the Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior competition play a pivotal role in introducing new technology concepts and fostering critical thinking among students. With a focus on personalized learning experiences, these programs cater to diverse student needs and interests, empowering educators to guide their students towards success.

What is Imagine Cup Junior?

Now in its fifth year, Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior (ICJ) 2024 offers a platform for students aged 5-18 to showcase their skills on a global stage. This year introduces a new Tech for Good category challenge aimed at younger students ages 5-12, providing tailored lessons to inspire them to engage with technology for positive change. Meanwhile, the AI for Good competition category includes students ages 13-18.

During ICJ, educators use Microsoft’s resources to introduce AI technologies, guiding students to apply their learning to real-world challenges. The competition not only promotes AI awareness and knowledge but also serves as a steppingstone for students interested in pursuing careers in technology.

We are delighted by the remarkable competition entries from students in over 100 countries, showcasing their creative project ideas and solutions enabled with AI. As we celebrate these students’ achievements, it’s clear that initiatives like Imagine Cup Junior foster innovation and empower students to build skills needed for a digital society and expand their opportunities to address global issues using technology

Christina Thoresen, Director, Worldwide Public Sector Education, Microsoft

Celebrating innovation: Meet the winning teams

The top 10 winning teams in the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 AI for Good global competition are listed below in alphabetical order:

• DuoVision, Turkey: MemoirAI, an AI-based specialized autobiography assistant, preserves personal histories by blending verbal narratives with integrated audio and visual data, creating a permanent repository of human experience.
• IntelliLex, Vietnam: IntelliLex, a personalized, automated AI system, supports dyslexic children in overcoming challenges and improving learning outcomes.
• Milky Way, Vietnam: The Milky Way project preserves and promotes the value of intangible cultural heritage through interactive maps, timelines, categories, filters, and recommendations
• Ocean Guardian, China: Ocean Guardian’s AI-assisted coral reef restoration system plans the best path for an underwater robot to repair coral reefs with minimal damage to marine life.
• Rainbow Soldiers, South Africa: Rainbow Soldiers’ application connects people around a cultural group and encourages people to share their experiences.
• Stroke of Luck, Malaysia: Stroke of Luck’s battery-operated device is surgically placed in the body to aid stroke patients in recovery and rehabilitation by recognizing, capturing, storing, receiving, and sending information in the form of electrical impulses via AI.
• Team Mustang, United States: Team Mustang’s project provides early and accurate diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) involving the development of a convolutional neural network capable of analyzing abdominal ultrasound images to determine whether the liver is malignant or benign.
• The Exhausted Dreamers, Singapore: The Exhausted Dreamers’ computer vision AI detects and labels car parts, sorting them based on recyclability and value, and sending the coordinates of the part location to a robot arm for retrieval.
• To the Top, Saudi Arabia: To the Top utilizes AI to solve the problem of unpleasant odors emanating from tertiary treatment plants, sewage water, and eliminates the negative impact on air pollution and the health of citizens.
• VocAI, United States: VocAI’s AI app generates clear and natural speech for people with hearing loss and provides self-training for improving speech quality.

The top winning team in the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 Tech for Good global competition is listed below:

• Dr. MediBud, Vietnam: Dr. Medibud is an AI doctor that gives anyone in the world access to regular, effective, and inexpensive health checkups and monitoring on their phone by leveraging large language models and retrieval augmented generation (RAG).

Honorable mentions for the Tech for Good competition include:

• Fit Buddy Smartwatch, Malaysia: Fit Buddy Smartwatch by STEM Titans for children that leverages AI to track activity, meals, and to provide education regarding healthy choices.
• Shield, India: Shield is a system created through a network of notes using Internet of things (IoT) Street cameras, road cameras, and other internet-connected cameras to leverage AI facial recognition to identify the thousands of missing people who are victimized by human trafficking. 
• Skin Safe, Vietnam: Skin Safe is an AI app that detects skin issues using a smartphone camera, connecting people with reliable skin care service providers.
• SOS, Kuwait: SOS is an app that can help in identifying and protecting endangered species by allowing users to report sightings, learn about conservation efforts, and connect with nearby nature reserves all through the use of the camera on their phones and Computer Vision API, Bing Maps API, Azure Notification Hubs, and more.

Prepare for the workplace of the future

Moving forward, it’s crucial for educators, policymakers, and communities to collaborate in equipping students with the skills needed to navigate the workplace of the future. By embracing learning that cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and well-being, we can prepare students to shape meaningful futures in the era of AI.

The success stories from around the world demonstrate the transformative impact of introducing emerging technologies into education. Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior exemplifies the power of empowering students to thrive and succeed in tomorrow’s world.

Explore resources for building AI skills

Learn more about key skills and tools critical for future success by exploring these resources. 

• For students: Microsoft Learn Student Hub, Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, Microsoft MakeCode, and Hacking STEM.
• For educators: AI for educators, AI for education: Resources and learning opportunities, and Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know.