TECH-GEST, an AI service created by the Angolan National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), was named in the 2022 edition of the IRCAI Global Top 100 as one of the top 100 AI solutions directly or indirectly addressing one or more Sustainable Development Goals.

TECH-GEST utilises AI/ML technologies and satellite or drone images to monitor assets and infrastructure. It offers various functionalities such as change detection algorithms for construction project monitoring, classification algorithms for land use control, and object extraction algorithms for asset monitoring and management. The information derived from the machine learning algorithms is accessible through a WebGIS application. Additionally, TECH-GEST addresses SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the development of this project is a result of the doctoral research conducted by Dr Zolana Joao, the Director General of GGPEN, during his time at George Washington University.

Since 2021, IRCAI releases an annual list of 100 AI projects contributing to the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. The aim is to showcase solutions worldwide and create a platform for sustainable solutions, aiding their growth and effectiveness. Furthermore, the focus is on solutions that can credibly address real-life development problems, emphasising ethics. The list encompasses projects from Africa, Europe and the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East.

This achievement demonstrates that the application of AI in sustainability is emerging and flourishing. It is being adopted by research groups worldwide, permeating through start-ups, established companies, development agencies, and non-profit organisations. Using AI in sustainability significantly addresses global challenges and promotes positive impact.

The IRCAI Scientific Programme Committees, Scientific Journal Editorial Board, and Business and Impact Council members oversaw the submission evaluation and selection process. These entities ensured the credibility, relevance, and potential impact of the projects included in the list. Visit here to see the complete list of projects.

About IRCAI

​​The International Research Centre in Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), established by the Jožef Stefan Institute, UNESCO, and the Slovenian Government, is committed to supporting the development of AI-based solutions for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2021, IRCAI launched the Global Top 100 program, a global call for proposals that harness the power of existing AI technologies to address and achieve the 17 SDGs, which featured one hundred AI applications from around the world. The 2022 edition of the IRCAI Global Top 100 showcases the programme’s phenomenal success and marked improvement in the quality and quantity of proposals, covering all 17 SDGs across multiple sectors and all five geographic regions.

To download the 2022 report, kindly visit here.