UPDATE: Just hours ago, teams at the Gemini 3 Hackathon in Singapore faced intense pressure to develop AI-powered applications within a tight seven-hour window. With a prize pool of $100,000 in credits, participants raced to innovate, showcasing the fast-paced world of tech development.
At this high-stakes event, four Malaysian developers, led by Chan Wei Khjan, pitched their ambitious project—a real-time feng shui app called “Feng Shui Banana.” Their goal? To analyze users’ outfits and workspace setups through their phone cameras, enhancing personal luck based on traditional Chinese practices.
The team, comprised of professionals from diverse fields, including Chan Ler-Kuan, an AI lecturer, and Loh Wah Kiang, an IT expert, crossed into Singapore early this morning with only a concept in mind. By 10:30 a.m., they pivoted their initial idea, realizing the need for a faster, more streamlined approach.
As the clock ticked down, the pressure mounted. By 12:20 p.m., the team was still debugging their initial codebase, which was plagued by numerous errors. They turned to AI for assistance, prompting it to refine their code, which ultimately transformed the app into a functional prototype.
“We learned that one prompt can change everything,” Wei Khjan explained, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with AI in their development process. As lunch was put on hold, the urgency of their task intensified.
By 1:00 p.m., the app was successfully identifying clothing colors and suggesting enhancements for better feng shui alignment. The team celebrated small victories, but they were still racing against the clock with just hours remaining.
As the deadline loomed at 5:30 p.m., the team’s focus shifted to finalizing their demo video. With just 15 minutes to spare, they submitted their project, marking the end of an exhausting yet exhilarating day.
Although they did not win a prize, the team agreed that the hackathon experience was invaluable. “Sometimes, the best experiences come from saying ‘yes’ without overthinking,” said Ler-Kuan. This sentiment reflects the spirit of innovation that defines the tech landscape today.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments from the hackathon as teams continue to push the boundaries of AI technology.
