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AI solutions shine at hackathon

BTC Hackathon winners
BTC Hackathon winners

The Botswana Digital Innovation Hub (BDIH), in collaboration with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), hosted the award ceremony for the BDIH Hackathon last week.

The event celebrated groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) solutions designed to improve healthcare. The competition, which launched in November 2024 and concluded in December, attracted 57 applicants. After a rigorous selection process, 10 finalists were shortlisted with three teams emerging as winners. Participants were challenged to develop an AI Health Coach, a tool designed to analyse health data, lifestyle habits, and risk factors to provide personalised guidance that encourages healthier living. The goal was to create AI-driven solutions that address both physical and mental health challenges, aligning with Botswana’s broader digital transformation agenda.

The competition showcased how technology can be leveraged to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency. Segaisi Tech, founded by Agfa Ngwalongwalo and Pako Okabile, secured third place, earning P22,500 and six months of free Wi-Fi. HealthPal, developed by Mpho Sekwenyane, Tshegofatso Sepora, Warona Bontsi, and Sandile Kapaya, claimed second place, receiving P27,500 and nine months of free Wi-Fi. The top prize went to Aerobw, a team led by Mirza Toufiq and Richmond Annan, who walked away with P32,500 and a full year of free Wi-Fi.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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