MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi is shining a spotlight on the next generation of sustainability leaders, with youth-led innovations taking centre stage under the Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) platform, a Masdar initiative.
Marine Biodiversity Innovation
Maryam Almusaiebi and Sara Alhosani, senior pupils at Sheikha Bint Saeed Secondary School, co-founded Strider, an AI-powered platform designed to protect marine biodiversity.
"Strider forecasts, predicts, and suggests future trends and potential solutions to tackle marine biodiversity challenges," Alhosani told Aletihad.
The platform, currently in its prototype phase, uses data from satellites, drones, and extensive datasets, she explained.
"We used live data and predictive analytics to forecast changes in sea surface temperature, coral bleaching, and oxygen depletion," said Almusaiebi in an Interview with Aletihad.
"Our dashboard includes features like heat map visualisation, AI recommendations, and a chatbot that suggests actions to protect marine life."
The duo's journey began with their participation in a robotics competition, where they pivoted from creating a robot to developing an app aimed at marine conservation. They later received support from the Y4S platform and collaborated with the Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to refine their project.
Alhosani noted the importance of focusing on marine biodiversity, an often-overlooked area of environmental conservation.
"We decided to tackle marine biodiversity because it's a growing issue that needs more attention," she explained.
Water Conservation through AI
Sixteen-year-old Alanood Alblooshi, a Sustainability Ambassador at Masdar, is exhibiting Ain, an AI-integrated platform designed to monitor and reduce household water consumption.
Ain uses sensors installed in homes to track water usage in real time and provides predictive analysis to help users manage their consumption, Alblooshi explained in an interview with Aletihad.
Rather than relying on high-energy systems like ChatGPT, Ain uses a smaller, more sustainable local server that consumes less energy, she noted.
"We've integrated cutting-edge, energy-efficient AI technology to reduce household water usage," said Alblooshi. "The platform not only predicts future water usage based on past behaviour, but also alerts users to potential leaks and areas where they can save water."
Looking ahead, Alblooshi plans to expand Ain to integrate electricity management and collaborate with local utilities to provide more personalised insights.
With an ambitious target of reducing water consumption by 25% in five years, Alblooshi noted that Ain could save billions in water costs and significantly reduce the UAE's environmental footprint.
Solar and Wind Energy Solutions
A project aimed at solving energy scarcity in Nigeria is being exhibited by a team of engineers: Ali Al-Baiti, Hamad Albastiki, and Reem Alshamsi.
Their project, Noor, combines solar and wind energy with a unique energy storage system to provide sustainable, off-grid energy solutions for students in rural areas.
The team's solution involves solar panels with tracking technology, wind turbines, and lithium-ion batteries that can provide up to six days of power. The system is designed to be easily installed in homes without the need for specialised infrastructure, allowing students to study at night despite the lack of a reliable electricity grid.
"Energy scarcity is a major issue in many developing countries," explained Al-Baiti. "Our solution not only generates energy from renewable sources but also stores it efficiently, ensuring a consistent power supply for students who need it most."
Hydroponics and AI: Sustainable Agriculture
Hatim Lachheb, a 19-year-old youth sustainability leader from Morocco, is heading up a startup that offers water-efficient agricultural solutions, including hydroponic towers that can be used in homes or on rooftops.
The towers are equipped with AI to monitor plant health, detect diseases, and optimise yields.
"We built an AI system that supports farmers by offering pest detection, yield estimations and even personalised advice," said Lachheb.
Optimising Energy Access with AI
Nicolas Cuadrado, a PhD student in Machine Learning at MBZUAI, is working on a project called Cycle, which aims to optimise energy access in isolated communities using AI.
The project focuses on improving the efficiency of renewable energy systems, like solar panels and batteries, in off-grid areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
"Many isolated communities rely on renewable energy sources like solar, but these systems are not optimised," Cuadrado told Aletihad. "With AI, we can manage battery charging and discharging, ensuring maximum efficiency and better energy access."
The Cycle project, still in its early stages, aims to collaborate with companies that deploy energy solutions in remote areas, with the goal of enhancing the performance of these systems through intelligent resource management.