Indian Students at Illinois Tech Aim for 1M USD Hult Prize with AI Crime Tool

A dynamic team from the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), featuring Indian American students, is making significant strides in the prestigious Hult Prize competition with their innovative venture, VigilAI. This AI-powered system is designed to revolutionize public safety by transforming traditional surveillance methods.

VigilAI: Enhancing Surveillance with Artificial Intelligence

VigilAI is a cutting-edge real-time crime detection platform that processes multiple closed-circuit television (CCTV) feeds to identify crimes, anomalies, and potential threats. By leveraging advanced pattern recognition and minimizing false alarms, VigilAI converts passive cameras into proactive surveillance tools, delivering rapid alerts enriched with historical context. The system’s cloud-based processing and real-time analytics provide a nuanced understanding of security threats, and the team currently has two patents pending for this technology.

From Campus Innovation to Global Recognition

The VigilAI team comprises:

• Utkarsh Nanda (MS Computer Science, 2nd Year) – CEO/Chief Technical Officer
• Utsav Pathak (MS Computer Science, 2nd Year) – Chief Operating Officer
• Brittany Shepherd – Team Member
• Nijgururaj Ashtagi (MAS Computer Science, 2nd Year) – Team Member
• Varn Tejas (Information Technology and Management, 4th Year) – Team Member
• Gaurav Mourya (Oracle) – Team Member

Their journey began with a victory at the fourth annual Grainger Computing Innovation Prize, where they secured the $15,000 top prize. This achievement propelled them into the national rounds of the Hult Prize competition in Boston, with aspirations to reach the global finals in London and vie for the $1 million grand prize.

Academic Excellence Meets Entrepreneurial Spirit

The team’s success is rooted in Illinois Tech’s robust academic environment. Courses in data structures, algorithms, natural language processing, and advanced artificial intelligence provided a strong technical foundation. Additionally, the Kaplan Institute’s Startup Accelerator program offered invaluable mentorship and resources, helping the team refine their business model and connect with industry leaders.

Scaling Impact Through Global Platforms

As they prepare for the Hult Prize nationals, the VigilAI team is eager to network with global talent and learn from experienced mentors. They believe that winning the Hult Prize would not only provide financial support but also open doors to broader opportunities, enabling them to scale their solution and make a significant impact on public safety worldwide.