It was announced last week that AIB is inviting students from third level institutions to enter the fourth annual AIB DataHack, with a prize fund of €6,000 available. 
 
DataHack Participants are invited to build an app or solve a problem based around making Ireland's cities smart. Two separate programming competitions – a Datathon and a Hackathon - will take place on November 18th in AIB Bankcentre, Ballsbridge.  

Students will have the chance to show their technical abilities in a fun and friendly environment, with activities, music, food and spot prizes on the day. Last year, 94 teams comprising 188 students from over 50 different Universities and Institutes of Technology took part over 12 hours. 
 
The winning team from each competition will take home €2,000 each while the second placed teams will win €1,000.
 
AIB has partnered with Sustainable Nation and Smart Dublin to help set the Datathon and Hackathon challenges. They will also participate in the judging process. This year, for the first time, AIB is also running a pilot Webathon competition for second level students. Twenty students from schools around Ireland will take part in this 5 hour competition to build a great website around the theme of Smart Cities.
 
Speaking last week, AIB Chief Operating Officer, Tomás O’Mídheach said, "Smart cities should be easy to navigate, sustainable and clean.  They integrate information and communication technology as well as internet of things technology securely to manage a city’s assets. At AIB we are committed to innovative solutions that make life easier for our customers. We are devoted to sustainability, having won Large Green Organisation of the Year at the Green Awards two years running."  

He added, "AIB recruits up to 200 students from colleges across the island of Ireland across areas like computer science, maths, physics and data analytics. The DataHack gives the next generation a chance to show their talents."

Source: www.businessworld.ie