The competition demonstrated how the rise of zero-code and AI-assisted development is reshaping the innovation landscape, enabling more young developers to participate in building solutions that address pressing societal needs. Tencent Cloud said the initiative reflects its commitment to fostering inclusive technological ecosystems and supporting the next wave of AI-driven problem solvers across the region.
Tencent Cloud has wrapped up its 2026 “AI Coding Challenge” Singapore Station, highlighting how zero-code AI tools are empowering a new generation of developers across Southeast Asia to transform ideas into socially impactful solutions.
Held on May 9 at Singapore Management University, the 40-day competition gathered students and young innovators under the theme “AI for Good — Build What Matters.” Organized in collaboration with Gather Growth NPO and regional universities, the event formed part of Tencent Cloud’s broader “AI CAN DO IT” Global Hackathon initiative, which aims to lower technical barriers and encourage practical innovation in areas such as social welfare, sustainability, and human-centered design.
The final showcase underscored the emergence of “AI-native” creators who are leveraging accessible development tools to address real-world challenges. The first prize was awarded to Singapore-based AI product specialist Elena Xiao for her project “Auntie AI,” a multimodal safety assistant designed to protect elderly users from digital scams. The tool can analyze phone screens, detect phishing messages and suspicious links, and communicate risks in clear, simple language, including dialect-based alerts tailored to older users. Xiao noted that Tencent’s AI coding assistant CodeBuddy significantly improved development efficiency by automating coding and debugging tasks.
The second prize went to Joshua Chew Jay Han and Yoong Jing Yi from the University of Malaya for “EyeDentify,” a wearable AI-powered visual aid aimed at supporting the visually impaired. By combining affordable hardware with intelligent recognition capabilities, the solution is designed to help users better navigate everyday environments, reflecting a growing trend toward practical, inclusive AI applications.