690 Students Build AI Climate Solutions Across Asia

Ninety students from Singapore just proved that young people can tackle climate change with the right tools and support.

They joined 600 peers from India and Indonesia in a groundbreaking program that turned classroom learning into real climate action. Over nine months, these students built AI-powered solutions to fight air pollution, extreme heat, flooding, and energy waste using tools like Meta's Llama language models and WhatsApp API.

The Youth Development for Climate Tech program wrapped up with a Global Summit in Singapore from March 27 to 29, 2026. Organized by SL2 Impact with support from Meta and Singapore's SG Eco Fund, the event showcased nine top teams presenting working prototypes to government officials and sustainability leaders.

One standout project, CoolRide, helps cyclists navigate Singapore's heat by mapping shadier routes alongside the fastest options. The web app displays heat-risk indicators and offers AI-generated cooling recommendations, showing how technology can make daily life more bearable as temperatures rise.

Students didn't just code apps. They analyzed environmental data, built predictive tools for heat and flood risks, and designed platforms that translate complex climate information into actions communities can take. The program emphasized responsible AI use, teaching data ethics and governance to ensure solutions work for real people.

The timing couldn't be better. Singapore's Minister of Sustainability and Environment designated 2026 as the "Year of Climate Adaptation," and these student projects directly address the heat and flood resilience priorities the ministry outlined in March.

The Ripple Effect

Several prototypes are now under review for pilot programs that could serve millions across Asia. What started as a student exercise might soon protect communities from floods or help urban dwellers cope with rising temperatures.

The cross-border collaboration taught students more than technical skills. Participants from different countries and academic backgrounds discovered they could create meaningful change together. Anirudh Mohan from IIM Indore said the program "made me feel that I can get into tech and climate and make a real impact, even as a management student."

Senior Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Goh Hanyan emphasized the power of youth-led action at the summit. She noted that these projects prove technology can enable impactful environmental solutions that benefit entire communities.

SL2 Impact plans to expand the program, inviting more organizations to contribute challenges and mentorship opportunities. The goal is to keep building the pipeline of young people who can blend AI skills with climate problem-solving.

These 690 students showed that the next generation isn't waiting for permission to fight climate change.