A remarkable example of how Indian youth from smaller cities can now build unique Artificial Intelligence and blockchain-based applications to resolve real-life problems.

Members of a team all hailing from farming backgrounds have won India’s most extensive AI and blockchain hackathon, clutching an all-paid trip to Seattle along with Rs. 5 lakh grand prize. Conducted by Icertis, a preeminent provider of enterprise contract management in the cloud, declared the winners of its Blockchain and AI/ML Hackathon held in Pune the last weekend.

The unique solution from the triumphant team called ‘Blockchain Megaminds’ employed Machine Learning (ML) models to develop an app that can analyze weather patterns and crop distress.

The team then provided blockchain-enabled smart contracts for immediate and automated claim adjustments to those unfavorably influenced by natural disasters and crop failures the company stated on Tuesday.

“We all hail from farming families from isolated parts of India. We are pleased that we could connect our understanding of farming and agrarian challenges with our software expertise to create a solution using the latest AI and Blockchain technology,” said Dattatray Jadhav from the winning team.

“We learned a lot from the Hackathon, and are grateful to Icertis for not just the event but also for getting their finest developers and architects to supervise and mentor us throughout,” added teammate Bhausaheb Galande.

The hackathon, which propelled off online in October, drew nearly 10,000 participants from all over the country, of which 1,306 qualified through to the final submission phase.

Eventually, 12 elite teams competed on-site at the Icertis office in Pune for a non-stop 24-hour hack.

The hackathon challenge required the teams to build a mobile and web interface, grow and train their ML/AI algorithms and employ appropriate cloud services, including the ‘Microsoft Azure Blockchain‘ as a Service.

“We were surprised by the range and depth of submissions and the fine quality of talent on display. It also emphasizes the talent across the nation and increases our resolve to nurture original thinkers and strengthen the communities that are so important for innovation to thrive,” said Monish Darda, CTO, and Co-Founder, Icertis.

Team Boopalan from Coimbatore, the first runners-up, won 3 lakh. Saraniyaa Shrii N from ‘Team Boopalan’ stated: “We are proud that we could bring together multiple technologies including web, Blockchain, AI, and IoT, to tackle a very severe real-world problem.”

“Recognition and direction from a software leader like Icertis go a long way in encouraging youngsters like us think high and explore how we could use technology to solve some of the greatest challenges faced by our generation,” said Laisha Wadhwa from ‘Team Heuristic’ from Delhi. In third place, Team Heuristic won Rs 2 lakh.