Meta recently concluded its Llama Impact Hackathon in London, a significant event aimed at enhancing public services through AI innovation. Over 200 developers from 56 teams participated, utilizing Meta's open-source Llama 3.2 model to tackle pressing issues in healthcare, clean energy, and social mobility.
The winning team, Guardian, created an AI-powered triage assistant named Atlas, designed to reduce waiting times and optimize resource allocation in A&E departments. This tool enhances patient care by streamlining intake processes and conducting real-time risk assessments.
The hackathon emphasized the potential of open-source AI for social good. The top three teams shared a $50,000 prize and will receive six weeks of mentorship to advance their projects. Participants can apply for regional grants of up to $100,000 and global grants of up to $500,000 through the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants, with applications closing on December 1, 2024.
UK Minister for AI Feryal Clark highlighted the transformative potential of open-source AI in improving public services and stimulating economic growth. Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs, praised the UK’s talent and creativity in deploying AI solutions tailored to national challenges.
The event showcased the commitment to making Llama freely accessible, with over 400 million downloads since its launch. Meta has allocated over $2 million in Llama Impact Grants to support innovation across various sectors.