URGENT UPDATE: A team of four Malaysian developers just completed a groundbreaking AI project at the Gemini 3 Hackathon in Singapore, racing against the clock to build a working demo of a feng shui app in just seven hours. Their innovative application aims to analyze users’ outfits and workspaces for optimal luck, tapping into a lucrative market obsessed with property and wealth.
The hackathon kicked off early today, January 2024, with a challenging brief: teams had until 5:30 p.m. to create a functioning app and publish a public code repository. Organized by Google DeepMind and 65labs, the event featured a prize pool of $100,000 in Gemini API credits, with the top team set to win $30,000.
At 9:30 a.m., the four friends—Chan Wei Khjan, Chan Ler-Kuan, Loh Wah Kiang, and Lee How Siem (Benny)—began their journey at Google’s developer space. Initially aiming to create a feng shui app to analyze properties, they pivoted to a more personal application due to time constraints. Their app, dubbed “Feng Shui Banana,” uses real-time image analysis to assess luck based on outfit choices and workspace setups.
By 11:40 a.m., the team encountered their first major hurdle: the app’s initial code was riddled with bugs. Wei Khjan quickly leveraged AI to troubleshoot, demonstrating the collaborative nature of modern coding. Within minutes, they resolved issues that would have otherwise derailed their timeline.
As the clock ticked, the team’s determination intensified. By 12:20 p.m., they were still glued to their screens, opting to skip lunch to refine the app’s functionality. “One prompt matters,” Wei Khjan emphasized, showcasing the nuanced interaction needed to optimize AI output.
By 1 p.m., testing began. The app accurately identified clothing colors and provided suggestions to enhance feng shui, demonstrating the potential of AI in everyday applications. The team finally took a moment to relax and enjoy pizza at 1:20 p.m., a fleeting break before diving back into their work.
As the afternoon wore on, Ler-Kuan focused on workspace feng shui, while Wah Kiang and Benny prepared a compelling demo video. By 3 p.m., the team was filming, using AI to generate a storyboard and script, showcasing the versatility of their project.
With final touches underway by 4 p.m., the team added audio output, striving for a voice that resonated with authenticity. As the deadline loomed, they completed their video and submitted the project with just 15 minutes to spare.
Despite not winning a prize, the team acknowledged the invaluable experience gained. “Sometimes, the best experiences come from saying ‘yes’ without overthinking,” said Ler-Kuan, reflecting on the blend of curiosity and spontaneity that drives innovation.
This hackathon not only highlights the growing intersection of AI and human creativity but also the intense dedication required to bring ideas to life under pressure. As the tech world watches, the impact of this event will resonate far beyond Singapore.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
