Applications call for Ernst & Young (EY) Better Working World Data Challenge 2021. Calling all university students and early career data scientists – get ready for the 2021 Better Working World Data Challenge.

Are you ready to solve the world’s toughest problems and ask questions that have never been asked before? Put your skills to the test and show us how the power of data and science can improve the way we respond to global issues.

This year’s challenge gives students and early career data scientists worldwide a chance to use their data science skills to make a real-world impact and improve bushfire management.

Wildfires are a global problem increasing in frequency and severity. Your input in this year’s challenge can help to save lives, property, and wildlife by allowing fire authorities to warn the right people at the right time and use their finite resources more effectively.

Benefits

Ernst & Young (EY) Better Working World Data Challenge has the following benefits

• Students get free access to Azure, Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology stack, as well as free Microsoft IT certifications.
• Access to tutorials and training.
• The opportunity to collaborate with others around the world.
• The chance to win up to US$10,000 in cash prizes.
• The top 30 finalists in each challenge will also win mentoring from EY.

Challenges

This year’s challenge has two components:

• Challenge 1: Build a system to detect fire-edges in infrared linescan images
• Challenge 2: Build a system to map the location and behavior of fire-edges in satellite images

Both challenges are designed to help streamline the process of bushfire mapping for bushfire authorities. Using data science and advanced analytic tools, your task is to map the location of the fires based on observations in the provided data. Once you have submitted your results, you can continue to refine your model over time to achieve a higher score.

Criteria

Any university student with an interest in data science can enter and participate. If you have less than two years of professional experience then you can also join the Challenge, but you will need to pay to use Azure.

Registrations are already open and you can enroll here.