The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will be held in New Delhi from 14-24, October, 2024. It is the first time in history that the global tech event is being hosted in Asia-Pacific region. The event will witness over 3,000 world leaders and technology experts  from 190+ countries will collaborate to shape the future of technology standard in areas like 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, cybersecurity, M2M communications, and quantum technologies, informed Ministry of Communications, PIB.

The first phase of of AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon, organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, was launched from 7th August to 30th September 2024.

The event was met by participants from various backgrounds which included international teams. The competition encompassed a series of challenges aimed at integrating AI/ML into 5G/6G infrastructures. Additionally, it also witnessed various mentoring sessions and outreach programmes.

The second phase of AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon has started on the 7^th of October, 2024. The two-day in-person coding competition has begun at Bharat Mandapam, with 12 shortlisted teams—seven Indian and five international—coming together to compete. Over the next two days, these teams will develop cutting-edge AI and machine learning (AI/ML) solutions for next-generation 5G and 6G networks.

The hackathon is supported by an elite panel of Indian and international mentors, including 12 Indian and two international experts, along with guidance from an ITU Programme Officer, stated the Ministry.

The Ministry informed that the Hackathon focuses on two problem statements:

1. AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own AI/ML Model for 5G/6G: Teams will develop AI/ML pipelines leveraging ITU recommendations, including ITU-T Y.3172 and ITU-T Y.3061, with the aim of creating innovative use cases for 5G/6G.
2. AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own xApp for Autonomous 5G/6G: Participants will create xApps to enhance autonomous 5G/6G networks, guided by ITU experts.

During the inaugurating of the second phase, Madhu Arora, Member (Technology), Digital Communication Commission stated, “This international hackathon is a platform for young innovators to turn their visions into reality and make a tangible impact on society.” Further, the Member (T) also highlighted that the event will pave way for ‘limitless possibilities’ and expressed anticipation on innovative solutions that will emerge from the initiative. “Participants are working on critical challenges with real-world applications, including smart city transit, flood monitoring, traffic optimization, womens safety with ‘AuratRaksha,’

‘Sim Fraud Protection’ and network reliability, using AI/ML technologies integrated with 5G and 6G networks,” it stated.

All teams are provided the best resources which includes cloud credits, simulators, and compute servers. The event also features expert talks from global leaders in AI and telecommunications. Additionally, the Ministry added that the hackathon’s use cases span a wide range of fields, including:

Next Gen: A 5G-enabled smart city public transportation system for seamless data flow and real-time updates.

Vajra IITB: A flood monitoring and alerting system for real-time emergency response in urban areas.

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BLAZE-IITJ: A 5G-enabled drone resource scheduling framework using AI for ultra-reliable low-latency communications.

IIITA ECE: A waste management system to prevent riverbed pollution.

Tech Rangers: An AI-driven initiative to reduce the 6G standards barrier for African contributors.

HexaCore: A women’s safety platform, “AuratRaksha,” designed for real-time alerts in unsafe situations.

Neural Nomads: AgriShield – AI-Driven 5G/6G Solutions for Small-Scale Farmers is focused on improving agricultural resilience for small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe and Africa. The platform uses AI-powered crop monitoring and predictive analytics to provide real-time insights, while also streamlining farm-to-market logistics through an integrated AI marketplace., empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making tools.

The event came to a conclusion with Madhu Arora who provided words of encouragement stating, “The solutions you create here have the potential to shape the future of global telecommunications.” The event is also to provide the winners with cash prizes:

The top three teams ($1,000, $700, $500). Special recognition will be given to the Best Student Team, Best Start-up, and Best Female Team, each receiving $500.