Five Teams Triumph at the National AI Prompt Design Challenge Open Category

The National AI Prompt Design Challenge Open category culminated in an awards ceremony at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in conjunction with the Singapore International Cyber Week 2024 on 17 October. From the 102 participating teams across 26 industries that joined, five teams whose generative AI apps stood out above the rest in solving challenges emerged the winners.

The awards ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of National Development. The Challenge aligns with Singapore's National Strategy 2.0 and is in support of the Digital For Life movement, which aims to help Singaporeans use technology effectively.

Following a Bootcamp where participants learnt prompt engineering techniques and responsible app development practices each team then identified and addressed a specific pain point within their industry domain, with an app solution built on Capabara, Straits Interactive’s generative AI platform.

First Place winners from Focus on the Family Singapore (left & right), pictured with Kevin Shepherdson, CEO of Straits Interactive (middle).

The judging process was rigorous, with winning apps evaluated based on Functionality, User Experience, Innovativeness, Benefit & Potential as well as Security and Ethical standards. Stress-testing using adversarial prompts was also a key component in assessing the apps’ level of security, privacy, transparency and output accuracy and quality. 

The panel of judges was an amalgamation of expertise from various industries, including education, data protection, technology, cybersecurity, communications, and business development, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation process that reflected the cross-industry reach of the competition. Chief Judge, Harish Pillay of AI Verify Foundation, led the judging process, ensuring that the winning apps not only exemplified creativity but also responsible and innovative generative AI. 

Pillay champions the value of making the generative AI revolution meaningful for everyone through continuous learning and collaboration. At the Challenge Meet & Greet, he said: “We’d like to grow a group of enthusiasts who can work together to address important issues around AI and use this technology to build useful solutions for people like yourselves in your organisations…here is an opportunity for you to learn something new, at very low cost, with long-term value.”

Here are the award-winning entries that impressed the judges with their creativity and practical solutions.

Most Innovative Award: myPhytoGuard by Team AI Artisans

The Most Innovative Award was awarded to Team AI Artisans from Oracle Corporation for their generative AI app, myPhytoGuard, which offers plant health monitoring and care tips. This solution addresses the challenges faced by urban farmers and plant hobbyists who often struggle to diagnose plant diseases and pests due to limited access to experts and complex symptoms, which can lead to significant yield losses. 

With today's focus on sustainability, myPhytoGuard can be deployed at home for self-sufficient farming and potentially scaled up for agriculture enterprises looking at augmenting plant health management. By promoting higher chances of crop survival, it reduces agricultural and resource waste, and supports sustainable urban farming practices at both the individual and organisational level. 

myPhytoGuard stood out for its use of advanced image analysis to allow users to upload photos of their plants for instant identification and diagnosis. The app’s seamless integration of practical utility and cutting-edge technology earned it the title of Most Innovative app.

Most Responsible and Safe Award: IT Support Technical Advisor - Techie by Team NSIT 

Team NSIT from NSIT Training received the Most Responsible and Safe Award for their app, IT Support Technical Advisor - Techie, a chatbot designed to provide IT support for local SMEs. As many SMEs face challenges in attracting and retaining IT talent amidst rapid digitalisation, Techie helps bridge the gap by offering reliable, efficient and cost-effective technical support to smooth out operational road bumps. 

What sets this app apart is its commitment to ethical AI development, ensuring that customer service is enhanced without compromising safety or security. Its responsible design made it the standout choice for the Most Responsible and Safe Award.

Third Place: Design Orchard Brand & Product Training by Team DORS

In Third Place, Team DORS from Singapore Fashion Council developed a generative AI-powered On-the-Job Training (OJT) programme for the fashion industry. Their app, Design Orchard Brand & Product Training, simulates customer interactions to train employees on product knowledge for over 90 brands, which is usually time-consuming and resource-intensive. 

The app’s interactive features, including role-playing and product visuals, provide an engaging and efficient way for new hires to learn on the job, boosting employee productivity and enhancing customer experience. The practical use of AI for employee training earned Team DORS a well-deserved third place.

Second Place: Grant Proposal Analysis by Team Level 5

Team Level 5 from Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) secured Second Place with their app, Grant Proposal Analysis, which assists institutional and student researchers in analysing grant proposals. Institutional and student researchers often face difficulties in managing research timelines, securing funding, and designing effective surveys, leading to inefficiencies and compromised data quality. 

Grant Proposal Analysis provides instant feedback on draft proposals, streamlining the review process and enhancing research quality. Its ability to save time and enhance productivity by simplifying the grant writing process won the judges' accolades.

First Place: Virtual Parenting Companion by Team Kookaburra

The top prize went to Team Kookaburra from Focus on the Family Singapore for their app, Virtual Parenting Companion. Designed for busy parents in Singapore, this generative AI-driven chatbot provides real-time, personalised support to help parents navigate high-stress situations and build stronger relationships with their children. 

The app combines practical advice with professional guidance, offering parents a comprehensive support system at their fingertips. Its thoughtful design and real-world impact on families made it the clear First place winner of the competition.

Special Mention, Community Impact Award: Caring for Persons with Special Needs by Team CARER404

As a Special Mention, the Community Impact Award went to Team CARER404 from Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) for their app, Caring for Persons with Special Needs. It is a resource toolkit that provides caregivers of individuals with special needs easy access to vital resources and support. 

The AI-powered platform consolidates critical resources and offers caregivers quick, personalised access to support, allowing them to make informed decisions promptly. By alleviating the stress of finding and using the right resources, the app significantly improves the quality of life for both caregivers and their dependents. For filling an overlooked need, the app was a resounding choice for the Community Impact Award.

Photos of the National AI Prompt Design Challenge can be found here. 

To learn about how you can build your own generative AI apps on Capabara, visit www.capabara.com.