
The Vega-Hidalgo family from La Paz is one of six finalists participating in the first AI World Championship in Silicon Valley May 16-19, 2019. The event is the final step in the AI Family Challenge , a program run by global technology and engineering education nonprofit Iridescent for families with children ages 8-15. At the AI World Championship the family will share their idea for solving Duckweed in Lake Titicaca using artificial intelligence (AI). They will be presenting their idea to tech industry experts in Silicon Valley May 18, 2019.
Through the AI Family Challenge program the Vega-Hidalgo family learned about AI as it guided them through the identification of a problem in their community and applied what they learned to develop a solution for it using AI. The family will be sharing their idea alongside five other teams from around the world and will spend a full week in the San Francisco Bay area getting to know the other teams, visiting technology companies, and networking with industry professionals.
About the Vega-Hidalgo family
Yair Alejandro Vega Hidalgo (11 years old)
Haziel Alejandro Vega Hidalgo (6 years old)
Francisco Ladislao Vega
Sandra Olivia Hidalgo Pérez
Project: Duckweed Vacuum Cleaner
Duckweed is a plant that negatively impacts Lake Titicaca. Duckweed Vacuum Cleaner classifies and removes the plant from the water. This prototype uses a camera to collect data for its image recognition algorithm. Once it’s determined that the harmful duckweed is present, the prototype (controlled by Raspberry Pi and powered by a DC motor) vacuums up the duckweed.
About the AI World Championship
The AI World Championship is the culmination of the AI Family Challenge. In its inaugural year, families from all over the world will come together with technology professionals in Silicon Valley. They will have the chance to meet other families from other countries, visit leading technology companies, and attend workshops and panels to help them develop both technology and professional skills. The event concludes in a presentation, where each family shares their idea with a panel of judges.
About Iridescent
Iridescent is a global technology & engineering education nonprofit that empowers underrepresented young people and their families to become self-motivated learners, inventors, and leaders. Founded in 2006 by CEO Tara Chklovski, Iridescent has had more than 100,000 children, parents, mentors, and educators participate in its two global programs: Technovation , the world’s largest global tech entrepreneurship program for girls, and the AI Family Challenge , a free, hands-on AI education program that brings families, schools, communities, and corporations together to give everyone the chance to learn, play and create with AI.
About Bolivia Tech Hub
Bolivia Tech Hub is a collaborative space for Bolivia’s top tech entrepreneurs. We provide opportunities of learning,development,job opportunities,in new areas of study based on challenges national and international contests. We promote gender equality and tech skills for underserved communities.