Tunisian Researcher Wins Third Prize in Arab Region's Artificial Intelligence Hackathon
Noureddine Jarray, a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence and its applications in food security and smart agriculture at the Institute of Arid Regions (IRA) in Medenine, and a researcher at the Pioneering Laboratory of the National School of Computer Science (ENSI) at the University of Manouba, won the third prize at the Arab level and the only prize at the national level during the Arab Region's Artificial Intelligence Hackathon.
Hackathon Results Announced
The results of the Arab Region's Artificial Intelligence Hackathon were announced on Wednesday at the Tunis Convention Center, the headquarters of the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies (AICTO), which co-organized this Arab Hackathon for young people with the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, under the auspices of the Arab League, under the slogan "Arab Innovation, Intelligent and Sustainable Future".
Tunisian Researcher Qualifies for Finals
The Tunisian researcher qualified for the finals among the 17 researchers selected from hundreds of participants from more than 15 Arab countries. Tunisia won third place, after Algeria and Iraq. The representative of Tunisia honored his representation thanks to his work, the scientific value of which convinced, allowing him to write a chapter in the progress of artificial intelligence and become an example for ambitious, creative, and innovative youth.
Project Overview
In a statement to the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) news agency, Noureddine Jarray explained that his project consists of creating a digital twinning between Arab countries, aiming to manage Arab food security using smart applications, climate change scenario simulation policies, and intelligent forecasting policies for sustainable Arab agriculture and food security, under the auspices of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Project Applications
He added that his project is distinguished by its great applicability in managing big data, to help decision-makers through short- and long-term forecasting programs and the establishment of early warning systems for humanity and natural resources, animal or plant, especially in arid and desert regions, which suffer from water scarcity. However, he emphasized that the application of the project is linked to the availability of financial credits, given the activities of data and information collection and introduction into intelligent systems that it involves.
Project Flexibility
Jarray mentioned that the project is flexible, as it can start in one or two countries, then expand, with the possibility of including all Arab countries, especially in arid and desert areas that are experiencing a significant shortage of water resources due to drought. He estimated that Tunisia is a pioneer in this field and that the creation of the Institute of Arid Regions (IRA), which will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary next year, testifies to the interest in arid areas, indirectly inscribing national issues such as desertification, wind erosion, endangered animals, plant valorization, pastures, and oases, and developing solutions to phenomena that threaten humans, according to him.
Institute of Arid Regions
He specified that the traditions of the IRA, this historical research institution, in terms of research on issues related to agriculture, animal and plant resources, combating desertification and wind erosion, etc., did not deter it from working in the field of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the establishment of a research unit that harmonizes with the different research axes of the Institute in a horizontal manner, in order to take advantage of artificial intelligence in all these fields, by conviction and awareness that AI applications will give important results and will cause a great revolution.
Adoption of Artificial Intelligence
He highlighted that the Institute has started to adopt artificial intelligence in the fields of desertification, animal production, and soil, recalling that it has publications in prestigious scientific fields, even if the Institute is only in its first steps in the vast and rich field of AI.
Confidence in the Institution
This researcher speaks with pride of his institution, the Institute of Arid Regions in Medenine, and its rich record in the field of scientific research, expressing his confidence in the contributions that this institution will make in the field of artificial intelligence applications. He is convinced and aware that the idea of applying artificial intelligence specifically in the field of food security is crucial, as food security is intrinsically linked to national sovereignty.
Confidence in Obtaining a Prize
He added that he was confident of obtaining an honorable ranking and a prize in this Arab competition, as this emerging field is vital and sensitive and has become a priority for Arab countries, especially in relation to food security, due to the opportunities it offers in terms of early warning and intelligent forecasting, thus avoiding major risks.
