KACST Launches “GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon” Led by 2025 Chemistry Nobel Laureate
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has announced the launch of registration for the “GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon,” organized in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, HUMAIN, and Academy 32.
Held under the supervision of Professor Omar Yaghi, Advisor to the President of KACST and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the hackathon runs until October 23.
GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon
This pioneering initiative aims to equip participants with advanced expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and materials science, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to transform innovative ideas into tangible technologies and prototypes. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s vision to become a regional and global leader in innovation across the fields of energy and advanced materials.
Targeted at university students, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across the Kingdom, the hackathon features virtual training sessions on topics such as reticular chemistry, large language models (LLMs), and prompt engineering. The program will culminate in an in-person showcase of projects at Academy 32.
The hackathon will focus on two key themes:
- Leveraging large language models to accelerate the discovery of novel reticular materials for hydrogen storage, carbon capture, and water harvesting.
- Enhancing the teaching and learning of reticular chemistry through bilingual educational tools and interactive applications that explain analytical instruments and scientific principles.
By hosting this hackathon, KACST reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the national research, development, and innovation ecosystem, addressing global challenges in climate and energy, and driving the creation of cutting-edge solutions in clean-energy materials. Additionally, integrating AI into the materials discovery process can reduce development time by up to 80%, accelerating progress toward a sustainable future.
Finally, university students, researchers, and entrepreneurs interested in shaping the future of clean-energy materials are invited to register through the following link:
https://forms.academy32.sa/survey?sId=423h+Rsr16c=
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