We are excited to announce that Hong Kong Shue Yan University - Department of Data Science and Digital Innovation (DSDI) is the supporting organization of the CSDI Awards 2026 and it is now open for enrolment! The theme for this year's highly anticipated competition is "AI-empowered Spatial Data Creating Boundless Potential". This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their technological skills and creativity.

Introduction & Competition Objectives The main objective of the CSDI Awards 2026 is to encourage participants to deeply integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with the analysis and use of spatial data, rather than treating AI only as a helper tool. The competition aims to explore innovative proposals for urban development, community services, and everyday life applications. Ultimately, it seeks to discover the crucial role of spatial data in building a smarter, more liveable, and more innovative Hong Kong.

To guide your brainstorming, the organizers have suggested several exploration directions:

  • Smart City & Urban Living
  • Sustainable Development & Environmental Future
  • Human Care & Well-being
  • Community Building & Human Connection
  • Spaces We Love
  • Future Applications & Innovation

Competition Brief Details Students can participate in Category 4 (Open Category), which is designed for tertiary students and the general public. You can join the competition individually or form a team of 2 to 6 members under our school's name. There is no limit on the number of teams that can represent a school, but each participant can only join one team.

Participants are challenged to develop an interactive prototype centered on spatial data. This prototype must be capable of processing user input or interaction and generating useful output to solve problems or meet user needs. AI must serve as a core functional component of the system—such as deploying an AI agent or deep learning model for spatial path optimization—and not just as a supplementary element for copywriting.

For the Phase 1 submission, teams must submit a digital geospatial application proposal (up to 10 pages) alongside a 1-minute video introducing the project.

Benefits and Prizes Participating in this competition is highly rewarding. Finalists in the Open Category will receive blockchain-certified digital certificates, adding authoritative recognition to their career portfolio. They will also receive professional mentorship and networking opportunities to showcase their work to industry professionals.

The prize pool for Category 4 is exceptional:

  • Champion: HK$40,000
  • 1st Runner-Up: HK$30,000
  • 2nd Runner-Up: HK$20,000
  • Special Awards: Best Spatial Data Application, Best AI Application, Most Creative Award, and Best ESG Award

Important Dates and Deadlines

Please take note of the competition schedule to ensure you do not miss out:

  • Spatial Data Workshops: October 3 and October 17, 2026
  • Enrolment and Submission Deadline: December 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm HKT
  • Finalists Notification: December 18, 2026
  • Advanced AI Workshop (for finalists): December 19, 2026
  • Final Presentation: January 30 to 31, 2027
  • Awards Ceremony: February 27, 2027

All project materials must be submitted via email to csdiawards2026@csdigeolab.gov.hk. Gather your teammates and start brainstorming today!