AI Caravan for Community Development Brings Excitement and Innovation to the 13th BYCIT
The AI Caravan for Community Development, spearheaded by the AI Research Center for Community Development (AIRCoDe), made waves at the 13th Bicol Youth Congress in Information Technology (13th BYCIT) with two days of thrilling activities, interactive booths, and AI-powered games — all in the name of promoting AI for community impact.
Held at the CSPC Gymnasium from April 10–11, 2025, the caravan captivated students, faculty, and tech enthusiasts alike, showcasing how artificial intelligence can go beyond research and industry and make a tangible difference in local communities.
One of the major highlights was the interactive game zone, developed by the talented 4th BSCS On-the-Job Trainees from Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges. The games combined entertainment with AI learning, drawing enthusiastic crowds throughout the two-day event.
The game lineup featured:
- Demon’s Maze: A spine-chilling AI-enhanced horror maze built in Godot Engine. Players raced against time and outsmarted an intelligent maze design to claim the top spots on the global leaderboard.
- Echo of the Undead: Set in a haunted forest, this immersive game placed participants in a thrilling survival scenario where an AI-driven hunter tracked every move and sound.
- Keyboard Warriors: Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, this fast-paced typing and programming game challenged participants with dynamically generated code snippets, perfect for budding programmers eager to test their skills.
Participants not only enjoyed the adrenaline-pumping challenges but also walked away with exciting prizes and a deeper appreciation of how AI technologies work behind the scenes.
AIRCoDe’s booth also served as an educational hub, where visitors learned how AI can be harnessed for community development initiatives such as disaster risk management, policy hubs, and local tech solutions.
As Day 2 came to a close on April 12, 2025, the energy remained high, with attendees expressing enthusiasm for future events and a renewed curiosity for AI’s role in shaping sustainable communities.
The success of the AI Caravan at BYCIT 2025 is a promising sign of how technology and community-driven innovation can go hand in hand, inspiring the next generation of tech leaders in the Bicol region and beyond.