The King Salman Relief Hackathon: AI in Humanitarian Relief for Healthcare concluded successfully on February 25th, showcasing the power of AI-driven solutions in crisis response. Held as part of the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, this initiative was a collaborative effort between Alfaisal University, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and the United Nations, bringing together innovators and problem-solvers to explore the transformative potential of AI.
Alfaisal University is at the forefront of AI-driven humanitarian relief, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for real-world change, empowering participants with training, mentorship, research support, and funding opportunities. To reinforce this commitment to innovation, Alfaisal University provided a 10,000 SAR prize fund to help winning teams advance and develop their pioneering solutions.
Over the past month, nine judges from diverse backgrounds evaluated projects that integrate artificial intelligence to enhance humanitarian healthcare efforts. Below are the top three projects which demonstrated AI applications with real-world impact:
•First Place: Team Hopelense were winners of the 10,000 SAR prize, presenting a joint project from Alfaisal University and Prince Sultan University, featuring an AI-powered augmented reality lens for first responders and volunteers in crisis and war zones. Their solution enhances real-time medical diagnostics and treatment for critical injuries. This project will continue development under Alfaisal University in collaboration with humanitarian organizations and King Salman Relief.
- Second Place: Pocket Helper, an AI-based aid distribution platform that ensures real-time, data-driven allocation of humanitarian assistance in crisis zones. By analyzing multiple factors, it optimizes the delivery of aid to those who need it most.
- Third Place: Sphere Aid, a platform that integrates AI-driven geospatial analysis and multi-source data processing to assist decision-makers in identifying urgent humanitarian needs. By leveraging AI-powered visualization tools, it enhances rapid response strategies in crisis situations.
Through initiatives like this, Alfaisal University is driving AI innovation in humanitarian relief, bringing advanced technologies to real-world challenges. These projects highlight the transformative potential of interdisciplinary research and AI in emergency healthcare and crisis management, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in AI-driven global humanitarian solutions. As these projects continue to evolve, Alfaisal University will remain at the forefront, ensuring technology is a force for good as we progress towards our ambitious goals.
