2018
Call for Code AI
About
At the heart of the initiative is the Call for Code Global Challenge, a four-month competition that unites developers, human rights experts, and specialists to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. In its 2018 debut, the challenge called on innovators worldwide to create solutions for improving natural disaster preparedness and relief.
The inaugural event drew over 100,000 developers and data scientists from 156 countries, resulting in more than 2,500 groundbreaking applications.
Grand Prize:
Project Owl
The 2018 Call for Code Global Prize was awarded to Project OWL at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom, recognizing their groundbreaking solution to bridge communications in disaster zones. Created by Bryan Knouse, Magus Pereira, Nicholas Feuer, Charlie Evans, and Taraqur Rahman, Project OWL combines software and hardware to form a resilient “clusterduck” network of Wi-Fi-enabled devices. This innovative mesh network provides a pop-up internet, allowing first responders to stay connected with those in need.
Within five months of their win, Project OWL partnered with IBM to begin deploying their life-saving technology in Puerto Rico and Houston, marking the first steps toward transforming global disaster response.
