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Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Youth turn AI into practical fixes for sustainability at EmpowerME Hackathon
Hackathon winners spotlight café water reuse, points to trees, and mycelium packaging Teams also explore waste mitigation, customer engagement, and greener supply chains Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Ten youth teams convened at the EmpowerME Hackathon to build AI‑powered solutions to real sustainability challenges in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on ideas that can move quickly from prototype to pilot in retail operations and communities. Set against the backdrop of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the competition, hosted at University of Jeddah, emphasized practical routes to circularity, efficient resource use, and greener cities — areas where data and AI can accelerate measurable progress. Participants explored how AI can help businesses and customers reduce waste, conserve water, and improve environmental performance, echoing national efforts to scale green innovation and future‑ready skills among Saudi youth. Winning ideas First place went to Nuqta ('every drop counts'), an AI‑enabled system that captures leftover liquids from unconsumed café drinks, pre‑filters them, and classifies them for safe reuse — such as floor and table cleaning, humidification, or watering indoor plants — tracked via a live dashboard. Early estimates suggest stores could reduce freshwater use by up to 40% per month, with applications beyond cafés to restaurants, universities, and offices. The runner-up, My Green Rewards, turns Starbucks Rewards points into real tree-planting in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, using generative AI to select optimal planting sites and send customers location and photo updates, with contributions logged on a national platform. Third place, MycoLoop, replaces fossil‑based protective and secondary packaging with mycelium‑grown inserts and trays cultivated from natural fibers, then dried into sturdy, compostable forms — preserving brand experience while simplifying disposal and cutting single‑use waste. Teams also made progress in other priority areas, including: Customer engagement and participation: An AI‑powered 'Green Points' layer in the Starbucks app that personalizes challenges and rewards based on purchase patterns, adds in‑store live impact screens and QR micro‑content, and pilots a 'Take instead of Toss' corner for unsold bakery items — translating intent into daily action aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Greener supply chains: An AI‑enabled, solar‑powered smart‑warehouse concept to optimize storage, picking, and distribution, supported by generative‑AI planning tools and dashboards to monitor energy use, emissions, and environmental performance across the network. Advancing national priorities Designed to engage Saudi youth in solving real-world sustainability challenges, the EmpowerME Hackathon used AI prompting to help teams turn research into viable concepts. The initiative built awareness of local and global environmental issues while equipping students with future-focused skills in teamwork, critical thinking and responsible AI use. Objectives included deepening engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030, developing practical and scalable ideas with local sustainability impact, and fostering collaboration and ideation. The EmpowerME Hackathon was organized by the Starbucks Foundation, Alshaya Group, and INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, in partnership with Barakah. As part of EmpowerME, a USD 6 million, three-year initiative to equip 250,000 youth across MENA and Türkiye with entrepreneurship, employability and green innovation skills, the hackathon aimed to help Saudi youth apply AI to measurable sustainability challenges in retail and communities. 'EmpowerME is about more than ideas; it's about outcomes,' said Mohammad Mahmoud Al Najjar, Senior Vice President, Starbucks at Alshaya Group. 'By giving young people the tools, confidence, and platform they need, we're seeing complex sustainability challenges turned into practical, testable solutions: reusing café water, turning loyalty points into trees, and replacing plastic packaging with mycelium. It's a powerful signal of what youth‑led innovation can deliver for Saudi Arabia's sustainability agenda.' INJAZ Al-Arab equips youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through hands-on learnings and mentorships designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. Akef Aqrabawi, CEO, INJAZ Al ‑ Arab/JA MENA, added: 'INJAZ Al‑Arab brings regional expertise in youth entrepreneurship and work readiness. Hackathons like this are where ideas become prototypes; partnerships like this are how prototypes become jobs and startups. That is how EmpowerME will contribute to the region's socio‑economic future — by equipping the next generation to build the businesses and careers a sustainable MENA economy needs.' Barakah, a Saudi recycling and circular-economy company that helps businesses recover materials, reduce landfill, and turn waste into value, supported the program as an industry partner. Barakah offered internship opportunities to selected participants, while team members also mentored students and served on the judging panel. 'At Barakah, we believe that tackling food waste and building food security starts with bold ideas and local action,' said Bader Alheraish, Head of Partnerships at Barakah. 'It's inspiring to see so many young innovators using technology to address these challenges head‑on. Events like EmpowerME are crucial for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs who will lead Saudi Arabia toward a more sustainable and resilient future.' By grounding innovation in national priorities, the EmpowerME Hackathon showed how youth‑led concepts can advance Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative — from circular water use and biodegradable materials to urban greening and low‑waste logistics. Each winning solution embeds clear metrics (such as liters of water reused, trees planted, packaging waste avoided) and uses AI as a practical enabler for smarter classification, site selection, personalization, planning, and monitoring, making the path from prototype to pilot both credible and measurable. Taking action Organizers are exploring pilot pathways for the top concepts, including in-store water-reuse tests, a points-to-trees integration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, and packaging trials with delivery partners — prioritizing measurable impact, customer experience, and scalability. The EmpowerME Hackathon is just one part of a larger movement to equip underserved youth — including young women, refugees, and vocational students — with practical skills and opportunities. In its first year, EmpowerME has already reached over 10,000 youth in five countries, with plans to expand further. -Ends- The Starbucks Foundation The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at Starbucks Stories. Starbucks at Alshaya Group Starbucks® Coffee Company, the international coffeehouse and roastery chain, operates in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia regions as a licensed franchise under the umbrella of Alshaya Group, one of the world's leading brand franchise operators. As the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the region, Starbucks at Alshaya Group seamlessly integrates global coffee expertise and local knowhow. Starbucks at Alshaya Group is all about nurturing the human connection, bringing together local communities and delivering memorable customer experiences. We work to ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in bringing you an ethically sourced, high-quality cup of Arabica coffee. Serving up coffee and connections to draw our world closer, Starbucks at Alshaya Group currently operates more than 2000 stores in 13 countries in the region. Learn more about your perfect cup of Starbucks coffee: INJAZ Al‑Arab INJAZ Al‑Arab, a leading non‑profit organization operating in 13 countries in the region, harnesses the mentorship of business leaders to help inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth. INJAZ Al‑Arab equips Arab youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through training designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. EmpowerME EmpowerME is a strategic initiative by the Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, delivered in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab and Habitat Association Türkiye. The program is designed to foster entrepreneurship, employability, and green innovation among youth facing systemic barriers.
Arab News
07-08-2025
- Arab News
‘Today it was Mohammed; who is next?' Family and friends reflect on killing of Saudi student in UK
MAKKAH/RIYADH: Relatives and friends have shared touching memories of a 20-year-old Saudi student who was killed in the UK last Friday. Those who knew Mohammed Al-Qasim described him as a kind young man who valued his family and was committed to his studies. A student at the University of Jeddah, after graduating from Al-Bushra High School, he had traveled to the UK to study English and broaden his horizons and had ambitions to pursue a career in industrial engineering. He died after he was stabbed during a late-night incident in the English city of Cambridge. 'His passing was a devastating shock to everyone,' his uncle, Abdulrahman Al-Qasim, told Arab News. 'Mohammed was deeply loved and left a lasting impression on all who knew him, especially as the only son to his parents, born after four daughters. 'He also leaves behind a younger brother who is still in middle school.' He said that the news of Mohammed's death had struck the family, from Jeddah, deeply but they were finding strength in their faith, adding: 'We had hoped he would return to us but nothing can change the will of Allah.' Several family members had traveled to the UK earlier in the summer to study English, Abdulrahman said. What happened to Mohammed 'is alarming,' he added, and suggested that it meant Britain could no longer be considered a safe destination for Saudi students. 'We extend our sincere gratitude to the officials at the Saudi Embassy for their ongoing support and efforts to expedite the repatriation process,' he said. Mohammed's cousin Walid Al-Qasim said the loss was 'deeply painful' and extended beyond the immediate family to touch the hearts of many Saudi families. ------ READ MORE: 'Hard truth': UK becoming an unsafe destination, warns uncle of slain Saudi student ------ 'Mohammed was deeply loved by his classmates and friends in the UK,' he said. 'Everyone spoke highly of his character and respectful conduct.' He condemned the incident that took his cousin's life as 'a horrific crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances.' Ibrahim Ali Al-Qasoumi, 22, was a close friend of Mohammed. They met in 2017 through the latter's cousin, and took regular fishing and camping trips together. 'He was like a brother to me,' Al-Qasoumi told Arab News. 'He was kind, gentle and had a big heart. You feel happy and safe when you're around him. He never said things about anyone and he never hurt anyone.' The news of Mohammed's death had come as a 'big shock,' he added. 'Friends like him are very rare. I'm very sad because he was killed for no reason … I hope no one has to feel this pain. 'I feel horrible. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't laugh. I was completely broken.' The incident has raised broader questions about the safety of young Saudis who travel and study abroad, and Al-Qasoumi said it has changed the way he feels about such activities. 'I love traveling and learning about new cultures,' he said. 'Mohammed also loved these things. We went to Turkey, Istanbul, in June 2024. We always talked about it. 'I was planning to go to London this December to celebrate New Year's Eve but after what happened I became very scared. I kept thinking, what if this happened to me too?' Al-Qasoumi said he will remember his friend as someone who loved his family, particularly his sister, and his country, was generous and 'always tried to help others and make people happy.' He recalled a time, just weeks before his death, when Mohammed had helped a 16-year-old boy lost on the streets of Cambridge. 'He paid for the boy's taxi and helped him home, and he didn't even know him,' Al-Qasoumi said. 'Everyone loved Mohammed. No one hated him. 'I have many videos and pictures of him and in all of them we are laughing and happy, making jokes and enjoying time. 'I hope we don't lose more young people like him. They are the future. Today it was Mohammed but who is next? I wish we never hear this kind of sad news again. I hope the killing stops in the world.' Al-Qasim was on a 10-week placement at the EF International Language Campus in Cambridge when he was killed. In a statement to Arab News, EF International Language Campuses Cambridge said: 'Mohammed was a bright and kind young man who quickly became a valued part of our community. He was known for his positivity, curiosity, and warmth toward everyone around him. 'During this difficult time, our focus remains on supporting Mohammed's family, our students and staff in any way we can. Our heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones. May he rest in peace.' Funeral prayers for Mohammed were expected to take place at Makkah's Grand Mosque on Friday, and he will be laid to rest at Al-Shuhada Cemetery. Local police arrested two men from Cambridge on Sunday in connection with Mohammed's death: a 21-year-old man on suspicion of murder, and a 50-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.
