URGENT UPDATE: Innovators at the Gemini 3 Hackathon in Singapore have just completed a whirlwind seven-hour challenge to create a unique feng shui app. The event, organized by Google and Singapore’s 65labs, saw participants racing against the clock to develop cutting-edge applications using AI technology.
Just after sunrise on January 20, 2024, a team of four Malaysian tech enthusiasts crossed the border into Singapore with a bold vision: to leverage AI for a feng shui app that analyzes users’ outfits and workspaces in real time. Their goal was to help users optimize their luck through a unique blend of technology and traditional Chinese practices.
As the clock ticked down to the 5:30 PM deadline, the team, consisting of Chan Wei Khjan, an accountant, Chan Ler-Kuan, an AI lecturer, Loh Wah Kiang, an IT professional, and Lee How Siem (known as Benny), a startup CTO, faced intense pressure. They initially aimed to create an app simply focused on property analysis but quickly pivoted to a more complex concept due to time constraints.
By 10:30 AM, the team set their sights on building the “Feng Shui Banana” app. They began by prompting Google’s AI model, Claude, to generate the necessary workflow and code. As the team moved deeper into development, they encountered numerous bugs, but swift problem-solving kept them on track.
At 11:40 AM, they received the first codebase, which they quickly discovered was flawed. The camera feature generated error messages, but through persistence, they resolved the issues. By noon, the app was functional, albeit in a rough form.
As the afternoon wore on, the team pressed on, skipping lunch and remaining glued to their screens. They learned to communicate effectively with the AI, enhancing the app’s capabilities. By 1 PM, the app correctly identified a test user’s outfit and provided feng shui advice, marking a significant breakthrough in their development.
With only a few hours left, the team took a brief pizza break to recharge before diving back into their project. By 3 PM, they were actively filming their demo video, utilizing AI to generate a storyboard and script. The energy in the room was palpable as they prepared for the final push.
As the deadline approached, the team frantically pieced together their video and made final adjustments to the app. At 5:15 PM, with mere minutes to spare, they submitted their project, marking the end of a grueling but exhilarating day. Although they did not win a prize from the $100,000 credit prize pool, the experience fostered camaraderie and creativity among the team.
“We learned that sometimes saying ‘yes’ without overthinking can lead to the best experiences,” said Chan Ler-Kuan. Their journey highlighted the intersection of tradition and innovation, showcasing how AI can enhance human experiences in unexpected ways.
The event concluded with a sense of accomplishment and shared learning among the 189 participants who collectively built 76 projects in just one day. The hackathon exemplified the thriving tech culture in Singapore and the exciting potential of AI applications in everyday life.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest in tech innovation and emerging trends from the Gemini 3 Hackathon.
