UPDATE: At the Gemini 3 Hackathon in Singapore, a team of four Malaysian developers just faced the clock in an intense seven-hour challenge to create an AI-driven app. They aimed to build a “feng shui” application that analyzes personal outfits and workspaces for luck, with a deadline looming at 5:30 p.m. today.
This hackathon, organized by Google DeepMind and 65labs, featured 189 participants forming 76 projects to compete for a share of a $100,000 prize pool. The stakes were high, with first place earning 30,000 credits to access the Gemini API.
The team, comprising Chan Wei Khjan, an accountant; Chan Ler-Kuan, an AI lecturer; Loh Wah Kiang, an IT professional; and Lee How Siem (Benny), a startup CTO, started their day just after sunrise. They crossed into Singapore with a loose concept and a bold bet that AI could handle much of their app’s development.
By late morning, the team pivoted to a new approach due to time constraints. Their app, dubbed “Feng Shui Banana,” would use a smartphone camera to provide real-time feng shui analysis based on what users wore and their workspace setup. This unique angle taps into Singapore’s obsession with real estate and wealth accumulation, promising a potentially lucrative market.
As they kicked off, the team divided responsibilities. Chan Wei Khjan led the prompting for AI-generated code while Chan Ler-Kuan ensured the outputs adhered to feng shui principles. The app’s initial codebase was riddled with bugs, triggering a flurry of debugging and adjustments. “For people who don’t know how to read code, it’s helpful to have people who do,” Wei Khjan noted amid the chaos.
By 12:00 p.m., the app was functional but not without issues. The team faced challenges with camera responsiveness and real-time analysis, prompting a strategic shift in how they interacted with the AI. They found that asking the AI to “discuss it with me” significantly improved the collaborative output.
As the clock ticked, the team finally took a brief pause for lunch at 1:20 p.m. before diving back into app development. They refined the app’s features, ensuring both outfit and workspace analyses worked seamlessly. A landing page emerged, impressively animated in 3D, showcasing their innovative spirit.
By 3:00 p.m., the team was filming their demo video, utilizing Gemini to create a storyboard and script. Even as they wrestled with the final touches, the excitement in the room was palpable. “Sometimes, the best experiences come from saying ‘yes’ without overthinking,” Ler-Kuan reflected, emphasizing their journey of innovation and spontaneity.
As the deadline approached, the team worked meticulously on their final presentation, submitting just 15 minutes before the cutoff. While they may not have clinched a prize, the experience was transformative, exposing them to the fast-paced world of AI development.
The Gemini 3 Hackathon stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in technology. With their engaging approach and innovative solutions, these developers are shaping the future, one app at a time.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest in AI development and tech innovation.
