RANCHI: More than 300 students from Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra took part in in a 24-hour hackathon focused on some of the most pressing challenges emerging from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, including high-precision generative AI systems, deepfake-driven insurance fraud and agentic AI applications.The event, Adrosonic Build, organised by technology company Adrosonic, has attracted 106 teams comprising around three students each. Twenty-one teams have been shortlisted for the final round, which began on October 3 and will conclude with the announcement of results on October 4.Unlike conventional coding competitions, the hackathon is centred on real-world industry problems. Participants are developing solutions for high-precision Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems, AI-powered detection of synthetic identities and deepfake-based insurance claims, and agentic Statement of Values (SOV) intelligence systems for the insurance sector.Highlighting the broader objective of the initiative, Mayank, founder, CEO and MD of Adrosonic, said the idea was to bring practical industry knowledge, real-world use cases and access to technology leaders into the academic ecosystem so that students can work on problems that mirror actual business and societal challenges.Faculty members say such platforms are becoming increasingly important as employers seek graduates who can apply technical knowledge to complex situations rather than merely demonstrate theoretical understanding.“The gap is not in knowledge. It is in applying that knowledge to real-life scenarios, which are more uncertain and complex,” said Dr Manish Kumar Pandey, head of the Digital Innovation Lab and Department of Quantitative Economics and Data Science at BIT Mesra.The hackathon is part of a wider industry-academia partnership between Adrosonic and BIT Mesra that has been underway since 2022. The collaboration led to the establishment of the Digital Innovation Lab (DIL) in 2024, with an investment of around Rs 5 crore. The facility provides students access to infrastructure and technologies spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models and data science.Over the past two years, the partnership has expanded through fellowship programmes, industry-led initiatives and mentorship opportunities, allowing students to engage with professionals and gain exposure to practical technology applications beyond the classroom.
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“A hackathon gives students the opportunity to test their theories against real challenges, while building teamwork, problem-solving and execution skills,” said Kamlesh Yadav, head of innovation at Adrosonic.The event was inaugurated on October 2 in the presence of senior faculty members, including Prof Vishal H Shah, associate dean, alumni and international relations, and Dr Kishore Kumar Sinapati, along with representatives from Adrosonic. As teams race against time to build and present working solutions, the hackathon offers a glimpse into how institutes are preparing students for an AI-driven future.