Algoma University students medal at an international AI camp and competition

Algoma University student Muhammad Hassan Jamil returned from an artificial intelligence (AI) camp in Stuttgart, Germany, with a gold medal in his luggage.

Jamil was part of a small delegation from Algoma to participate in the International AI Summer Camp hosted by the Stuttgart Media University.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont, university was the only Canadian institution to take part.

Students had the opportunity to learn about the large language models that make AI platforms like ChatGPT possible.

At the end of their two-week stay, they also took part in a competition where they were tasked with pitching a business idea involving AI.

Jamil's idea was to develop an AI-powered program that can help people improve their sleep.

"Nowadays, sleep is a big issue," he said. "What this model can do is help them to get the sleep that they want."

His idea is that a wrist-band device, like an Apple Watch, could gather a person's vital signs and measure when they fall asleep.

An app would also follow a person's habits before they go to bed, such as when they dim their lights, or if they play music or white noise to fall asleep.

"It's learning like a baby. It's getting trained," Jamil said. "It's knowing what makes you sleep better."

After the AI model captures that data over a couple of days, Jamil said it could be paired with an app that controls internet-connected devices in a person's home, such as their lights or speakers.

Those devices would create a person's ideal sleep conditions around their usual bedtime.

Jamil said the experience has encouraged him to pursue a career in AI development.

"I think artificial intelligence can make a positive change and [have] a huge impact on society," he said.

In addition to Jamil's gold medal, Algoma also earned a bronze medal in the same competition.

Mahreen Nasir, an assistant professor at Algoma's School of Computer Science and Technology, said it's important for students to latch on to opportunities like the AI Summer Camp.

"As a faculty member I always encourage my students to be part of these initiatives, and I am a strong advocate of these initiatives to help my students build upon their knowledge," she said.

Nasir saidthe university's computer science program currently has some AI courses and will soon introduce some specializations specifically about AI.