AI and Food Insecurity Case Competition

The Center for AI in Business at Smith, in collaboration with the NourishNet NSF Convergence Accelerator and Artificial Intelligence Institute of Maryland, is launching the first university-wide AI case competition for undergraduate and master‘s students at the University of Maryland College Park.

The broad goal of this challenge is to understand how AI can help alleviate food insecurity within communities. Food insecurity is the focus of Governor Moore’s recent efforts on the ENOUGH Act and related Neighborhood Impact Grant to alleviate food insecurity. The theme also aligns well with UMD’s First Year Book – Poverty by America. 

This video briefly introduces the case competition. 

Videos describing each case can be found below.

This competition is open to ALL undergraduate and master‘s students at the University of Maryland. 

Why participate in the competition? Here are five reasons:

1. There will be prize money for the winning teams!
2. Capital Area Food Bank is interested in hiring students as interns and has indicated that they are open to continuing these projects over the summer by hiring some interns from participating teams as well.
3. We will circulate the best solutions in each case to several industry advisory board members, increasing the chances of students securing summer internships.
4. All students who participate and submit entries will receive a certificate of completion.
5. Participating in the “AI for Food Insecurity”  challenge can be a useful component of your resume to signal your ability to work with teams, think outside the box on pressing issues facing society, and willingness to take on new challenges.

We are delighted that one of the largest food banks in the area, Capital Area Food Bank, has signed on as the main sponsor of the tasks in the challenge, providing questions, data and support.

Detailed descriptions of cases 1, 2 and 3 will be posted by March 7.