2022 Edition

Water & Health

The event took place on the 21st-23rd of October in Cairns. The teams worked on unique water and health challenges. Check the solutions developed at the Indigenous Australian Datathon 2022 edition.

Solutions Developed

  • Sea Coral Classification and Detection

    The team proposed the implementation of a coral classification process that cut the time it takes Gidargil Bundaberg sea rangers to identify, count and classify seasonal sea coral by over 50%. It also introduces predictive analysis for the prevention of further damage to their reef.

  • Turtle Nests Detection

    The team used drone technology for the detection of Bajigal (Turtle) tracks. This is an ongoing project with Goondoi Land and Sea Rangers.

  • AI Enabled Otoscope

    The project aimed at tackling middle ear disease amongst Indigenous populations. The team worked on an AI-enabled otoscope to detect early signs of tympanic abnormality.

  • Erosion Detection

    Nature affects the erosion of sandstone at different rates.​ Using Traditional Owners’ knowledge of the indicators of erosion, the team developed a monitoring tool for rangers to provide them with information about the erosion stage in their environment​.

    The AI groove detection model can predict grooves from drone footage in areas difficult to access.

  • Nature Realm project

    A team implemented a "Nature Realm" (i.e. a digital twin for biodiversity measurement) of the James Cook University campus. One of the participating Indigenous Rangers led a group around the campus during the Datathon, improving the BioSCORE by collecting nature data, and helping the team understand the kind of data required to measure biodiversity health for the region.

    This is an ongoing project: since the Datathon, the team has implemented new features to better align with Indigenous knowledge systems. The Nature Realms has now rolled out to over 350 locations globally: https://guardiansofearth.io.

    They have also launched an Indigenous-led Nature Studio with four other organisations (AIME Mentoring, Monash University Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab, Jane Goodall Institute, Ethic.com) to advise their Cairns-based product development team on issues of Indigenous knowledge design.

  • Indigenous Elders' Approval Approach around Data Governance

    The team worked on designing a solution to classify and establish access permission levels for digital access of high-value Indigenous cultural data captured with drones, with the input of elders.

Testimonials from the 2022 edition participants

  • "We've actually created an AI model that can automatically count coral for us. It reduces our time dramatically."

    RR - Traditional Owner

  • "It inspires me every time I come here for so many reasons. There's so many people that are stepping outside their comfort zone just to attend this event, and it's really good to see them being open to learning. It's really rewarding and satisfying"

    RB - Organising Committee

  • "If people are passionate about their community, I would recommend to come here because this is the opportunity for them to learn new techniques, come up with ideas."

    BF - Traditional Owner

  • "I feel like I'm helping to contribute with some tech skills, but I'm learning lots about culture and the land. I really enjoy that collaboration and knowledge sharing that we get."

    KR - Tech Expert

  • "The datathon will expand not just to apply to Northern Australia, but to all of Australia and to all the world. I think we can set an example and we are setting an example that the world can follow and Queensland and Australia can lead the way on this."

    AR - Organising Committee & Participant

Register your interest for the next edition