What happens when thousands of innovators from business, government, and academia come together to solve real-world problems? This segment takes you inside the SAS Hackathon—a month‑long, global innovation experience that goes far beyond a traditional weekend hackathon. Now five editions strong, the SAS Hackathon has brought together participants from more than 60 countries to tackle meaningful challenges using real data, real business problems, and real AI solutions. You’ll hear how teams work alongside dedicated mentors, leverage SAS tools, and transform bold ideas into solutions that are deployed in production—powering faster insurance claims during natural disasters, optimizing telecom networks to reduce cost and energy use, and improving services that millions rely on every day. The segment also highlights the scale and spirit of the program: over 2,000 applicants, more than 160 organizations, and a deeply collaborative, team‑forward culture inside and outside SAS. After rigorous evaluation, 17 champion teams emerged, representing excellence across industries, technologies, and regions. The story culminates with the announcement of the overall SAS Hackathon Grand Champion. In 2025, that honor went to Team Dement AI, whose solution applies AI, analytics, and machine learning to help detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier. By analyzing brain signals, medical records, and unstructured data using SAS Viya, SAS Visual Analytics, and Python, the team demonstrated how AI can accelerate diagnosis, reduce clinician workload, and help patients begin care sooner. More than a competition, the SAS Hackathon is about turning innovation into impact—and proving that when people, purpose, and technology come together, AI can truly make a difference.
What starts as a competition quickly becomes something much more powerful. This spotlight on the SAS Hackathon reveals how a global, month-long collaboration is turning bold ideas into real-world solutions—from disaster relief insurance claims to energy-efficient telecom networks. The highlight? A groundbreaking AI project predicting Alzheimer’s with impressive accuracy, showing the life-changing impact of these innovations. Watch to see how teams from around the world are not just competing—but solving problems that truly matter.
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