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In an era where AI technology is becoming a crucial tool for solving social problems, the School of Engineering has initiated the AI Hackathon Elephant Identification 2025 competition to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address the lack of comprehensive elephant database systems in Thailand. This initiative is conducted in collaboration with The Thai Embedded Systems Association (TESA), Thai Maker Association, Department of Livestock Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bureau of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services, Wang Chang Ayutthaya Lae Phaniad, Pathum Thani Provincial Livestock Office and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Livestock Office.

         The project originated from the discovery that Thailand lacks an adequate system for identifying individual elephants in various elephant camps, making it difficult to monitor, verify usage, and plan long-term conservation efforts. This competition aims to develop an AI system for elephant identification. The dataset used was collected by students from the Faculty of Engineering, Bangkok University, who conducted fieldwork at Wang Chang Ayutthaya Lae Phaniad. This will serve as a prototype for creating a modern elephant database.

Opening Opportunities for Youth to Develop AI Skills for Society

This competition provides opportunities for secondary school students interested in AI and image processing to showcase their abilities, practice real problem-solving skills, develop teamwork, and create meaningful innovations for society. It also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange among educational institutions, government agencies, and the private sector in collaborative AI technology development.

Award-Winning Teams

First Place Winner: Team BCCROBOT from Bangkok Christian College

• The award was presented by Dr. Julachat Julpetch, Provincial Livestock Officer of Pathum Thani, representing the Department of Livestock Development

Team Members:

1. Mr. Thisawut Jeeyasak
2. Mr. Phumipat Paisanwatcharakit
3. Mr. Siwat Suntornpusit

Advisor: Teacher Lodruthai Joknoi

The system developed by these students will be useful for searching information and verifying elephant identities, which will help make the management and conservation of elephants, Thailand's national animal, more systematic and sustainable.

Expert Panel Discussions

         The event also featured panel discussions with experts to provide insights for students and participants:

1. Assoc. Prof. Wirut Sriborirak, President of TESA Association, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Santi Nurat, Vice President of TESA Association, shared knowledge on "AI EMBEDDED & TESAIOT DIGITAL TWIN FOR EDGE AI"
2. Dr. Permsil Boonnom, Senior Veterinarian at the Department of Livestock Development, discussed animal welfare, animal laws, and the Elephant Act
3. A.Todsapon Banklongsi, Chairperson, Intelligent Systems and Digital Innovation Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Bangkok University, discussed "Why We Need to Study Engineering in the AI World"
4. A.Wichukorn Kuntintara,      Platform Development Office, Bangkok University, shared insights on "What It's Like to Be an AI Engineer in This Era"

Commitment to Sustainable Development

         This project reflects Bangkok University's role as an institution with expertise in AI technology and its commitment to applying knowledge for national development according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also raises awareness among youth and the general public about the importance of wildlife and the role of technology in environmental conservation.