Karachi hackathon showcases real-world solutions powered by generative AI
The Build with AI Mini Hackathon, hosted at Folio3 on May 31, 2025, brought together over 120 participants — a mix of professionals, students, and tech enthusiasts — for a high-energy, four-hour innovation sprint centered on Generative AI. Organized by GDG Kolachi in collaboration with Folio3, the event showcased how AI can address pressing real-world challenges.
The day opened with two impactful sessions that set the tone: 'Vibe Coding' by Muhammad Aashir and Hassan Mujtaba, which ignited the room with creativity and curiosity, and 'Vertical AI Agents' by Jaya Rajwani, Technology Lead at iENGINEERING, who explored the rise of domain-specific AI agents in transforming digital ecosystems.
Working under tight constraints, 25 teams prototyped solutions powered by Gemini, Google's latest generative AI technology. Projects spanned diverse domains, including vehicle detection, FIR automation, import-export document intelligence, AI bidding systems, urban sanitation monitoring, and public transport tracking — all within just four hours.
Participants were guided by an incredible team of mentors, including Raheel Siddiqui (Mozaik), Zain Ahmed (Neem), Farah Mehboob (Valider), Umar Shaikh (EY), Huzaifa Shahbaz (Swift Dynamics), Muhammad Taha (Consultant), Saleha Shujaat (Software Engineer), Ramsha Zaheer (Propellus), Eman Ahmed (Technical Consultant), Talha Ashraf (Polymath), Rashid Wassan (DevOps Engineer), and Arbab Siddiqui (Folio3). Their real-time feedback and support elevated team ideas from concept to MVP, making the mentorship experience a highlight of the event.
The hackathon concluded with three winning teams, each receiving a PKR 25,000 cash prize. The judging panel — comprised of industry leaders Aaqib Sayed (DigitalOcean), Yunus Jamal (Atompoint), and Talha Ashraf (Polymath) — evaluated submissions based on innovation, relevance, and technical execution.
The event was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of community, creativity, and the potential of AI. With Folio3's generous venue support and GDG Kolachi's seamless execution, the Build with AI Mini Hackathon proved that Karachi's tech ecosystem is not just growing — it's thriving.
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