The 5G For Change
Hackathon
If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that life needs some hacking. So for the first time in the history of The Webby Awards, we invite you to the 5G for Change Hackathon. There’s no shortage of things that need to be fixed. 5G is an invaluable tool in that pursuit—speed, access, and real-world change for the better.
Build something for change. Win a Webby and $50,000.
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FramePerfect Tackles Illegal Logging in Guyana
As a finalist, the FramePerfect team aimed to combat illegal logging in Guyana's forests. Learn more about the team and their pitch during The Webby Awards' 5G for Change Hackathon, presented by Verizon.
Malik Williams and Shomari Williams at the 5G for Change Hackathon. Credit: Eryc Perez de Tagle.
Shomari Williams’ eyes flickered when asked why he is interested in illegal logging taking place in Guyana’s forests.
“That is such a strange question,” he said with a cheeky smile as he paused to find the right answer. “We care about it because it is our planet.” His brother, Malik Williams, interjected to add that more people are becoming aware of the global ramifications of deforestation and its impact on climate change.
“It’s becoming a global responsibility to get involved,” Mailk said.
The Williams brothers were discussing their solution to tackle deforestation using sound monitoring devices and drones, as one of five finalist teams selected in The Webby Awards’ first 5G for Change Hackathon.
Mailk Williams presenting his pitch to the judging panel at the 5G for Change Hackathon. Credit: Eryc Perez de Tagle.
Presented by Verizon, the hackathon challenged teams to tackle an important issue, and solve it by using 5G and the Internet. Out of 150 submissions, only five teams were selected to pitch before a judging panel of industry leaders—from Verizon, MIT Solve, the Black Ambition Opportunity Fund and Stagewell Global—at Verizon’s headquarters in New York City!
The winning team will be announced at the 26th Annual Webby Awards on May 16th, and will be awarded $50,000. Learn more about this team and their project.
Mike Wente, Felecia Hatcher, and Christian Guirnalda judged finalists' pitches during the 5G for Change Hackathon. Credit: Eryc Perez de Tagle.
Team FramePerfect
Pitch Topic: Deforestation + A.I. Sound Monitoring Device
Over 80% of the land area in Guyana comprises forests, making them one of the country—and the world’s greatest assets. However, illegal logging is impacting Guyana’s forests and is responsible for 30% of co2 carbon emissions that come from clearing, according to Team FramePerfect.
Maintaining the country’s biodiversity is a large focus for not only Guyana’s leadership, but also its residents. To mitigate illegal logging and the ease with which individuals can “easily bypass government regulations through bribery,” the team came together at the University of Guyana to propose a solution.
Their solution? Creating a “comprehensive monitoring system that streams audio to dispatch drones to see what is happening in the forest.” Team FramePerfect wants to attach AI-powered listening devices into trees throughout the forest, and inform drone devices when logging activity is taking place. They have a vision of using the drones to inform rangers of when illegal logging takes place—logging that hasn’t been approved.
The FramePerfect team plans to use 5G and its latency to deploy drones, and stay in constant communication with rangers.
Shomari Williams and Malik Williams being interviewed during the 5G for Change Hackathon. Credit: Eryc Perez de Tagle.
About the Team
As a team of four, the FramePerfect members came together while attending the University of Guyana over their shared love for computer science. Together, they founded Unity GY, a non-profit organization that “leverages technology to narrow the education gap in Guyana.” Members include:
Shomari Williams, who is currently pursuing a Masters in Global Technology and Development, while working full time.
Malik Williams, who is an Information Communication Technology Engineer, and has worked with the Lands and Survey Commission of Guyana.
Andrew Garnett, who is a huge proponent of information communication technology for development, and recently presented a project to modernize X-ray analysis in hospitals.
Jun Leung, who comes from one of Guyana’s hinterlands regions, and is passionate about the issue of deforestation.
Learn more about the 5G for Change Hackathon, and see the other finalists: Team Mayday, Team Whose Metaverse?, Team MRM and Team DataScape. The winning team will be announced on stage during the 26th Annual Webby Awards on Monday, May 16.
Follow #Webbys to see who will this first-ever award at the 26th Annual Webby Awards, hosted by Roy Wood Jr. Catch the moment on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok or at webbyawards.com on Monday, May 16 at 9pm EDT.