A network focused on tackling loneliness among Jersey’s ageing population and a platform connecting Islanders offering support with those seeking help were among the artificial intelligence-powered solutions developed by local students during the Island’s first Digital Jersey AI Youth Hackathon.
More than 40 students spent two days last week developing artificial intelligence-powered solutions to some of Jersey’s biggest challenges.
Young people aged 12 to 18 identified local issues, built working technology prototypes, and pitched their ideas to a panel of industry judges.
11 solutions
Run by Digital Jersey with support from Prosperity 24/7, the hackathon resulted in 11 solutions covering topics including affordable housing, community support, healthcare, local employment, events discovery and transport.
Working in teams, students progressed from identifying a problem and generating ideas to building functioning prototypes and presenting their concepts – all within 16 hours.
The Youth Hackathon forms part of Digital Jersey’s wider STEM Career Pathway, which aims to help young people explore careers in technology through practical learning experiences while supporting innovation, digital skills and workforce development.
The judging panel, made up of IoD Digital Sub Committee chair Ian Webb, Prosperity 24/7 chief operating officer Geraldine Evans, and business strategy and AI consultant François Chesnay, selected winners across four categories.
The ‘Most Impact for Jersey’ award went to SideQuest, a platform connecting Islanders with people looking for support with short jobs and tasks.
Wise Food won the ‘Best Pitch’ award for its platform aimed at reducing carbon emissions linked to food choices while improving access to affordable food.
The ‘Best Prototype’ award was presented to F Park for a solution designed to unlock private parking spaces to reduce congestion, lower emissions and improve parking across St Helier.
Parish Pal Network received a special judges’ award for its focus on tackling loneliness among Jersey’s ageing population.
“The future of Jersey is incredibly bright”
Digital Jersey innovation manager Charlie Miles said she was impressed not only by the technology produced but by the students’ understanding of local issues.
“In just two days, they moved from an idea to a working prototype and a confident pitch,” she added.
“That’s exactly the kind of problem-solving, creativity and digital confidence that employers are looking for.
“Events like the Youth Hackathon help young people see that technology isn’t just about coding. It’s about solving problems, working together and creating positive change.
“The future of Jersey is incredibly bright if this group of young people is anything to go by.”
Prosperity 24/7, the event’s headline sponsor, provided funding as well as mentors and judges throughout the competition.
Mentor Liam Burgess from Prosperity 24/7 also designed and produced the event’s custom 3D-printed trophies.
He said: “I was able to work with some of the teams on data and mapping challenges and help them think about how to present their ideas professionally.
“It was brilliant to see what they managed to create in such a short period of time. The quality of the solutions and the speed they were able to learn and adapt was impressive.”
