Signet Bank supports AI solutions created by students in the competition “Development of New Applications Using AI and Vibe Coding”

On June 5, the winners of the Riga secondary school competition “Development of New Applications Using AI and Vibe Coding’” were honored; the artificial intelligence solutions they developed offer practical solutions in the fields of education, public administration, and the urban environment.

The event took place during the annual meeting and business forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), organized by the Ministry of Finance, bringing together young people, representatives of the education sector, technology experts, and entrepreneurs.

First place and a prize from Signet Bank went to the “ExchangeMatch” team of students from Riga Teika Secondary School and Riga State Gymnasium No. 3, who developed an app where users can find “Erasmus+ Youth Exchange” opportunities all in one place.

Second place and a prize from SIA AD Verbum went to the “ClearGov AI” team from Riga Rīnūži Secondary School for developing an app that uses artificial intelligence to translate government documents into “understandable language” Third place and a prize from the Riga City Council went to the “Smart Riga” team from Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 for developing an app that allows users to report problems in the urban environment.

Two honorable mentions and encouragement awards were also presented to the “Recyclehelper.com” team from Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 and Riga State Classical Gymnasium, and the “ProjectMatch” team from Riga State Gymnasium No. 2.

This competition demonstrated that young people in Riga are not only interested in artificial intelligence and the latest technologies, but are also capable of using them to solve real-world social problems. It is particularly gratifying that the young people took the initiative themselves and were willing to invest time to develop their ideas step by step,

emphasizes Laima Geikina (JV), Chair of the Riga City Council’s Education, Culture, and Sports Committee.

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of everyday work and business, which is why it is particularly important to give young people the opportunity today not only to use AI technologies but also to create solutions themselves. The economy of the future will be shaped by people who can combine technology, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills, and this competition is a valuable opportunity to develop these qualities,

says Roberts Idelsons, Chairman of the Board at Signet Bank.

I would like to commend all participants for the impressive quality of their projects. The level demonstrated by students in grades 10-12 is truly outstanding and reflects modern, open-minded thinking, as well as an approach to identifying and solving problems that significantly exceeds typical school-level expectations.

The teams presented promising ideas, addressed real-world problems, and applied innovative approaches to solving them. It is particularly inspiring to see the confident use of the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, combined with practical thinking and creativity,

notes Deniss Fiļipovs, Head of Business Development and Support at Signet Bank Group.

The competition was organized by the Riga City Council in collaboration with companies in the information technology sector to promote students’ understanding of the practical applications of artificial intelligence and to foster creativity, critical thinking, and digital skills.

Students in grades 10-12 from Riga’s general education institutions were invited to participate in the competition, either individually or in teams of up to three members. The competition took place in two rounds. Initially, students submitted their app ideas, from which the jury selected the five most promising projects. Over the course of several months, the students then developed minimum viable products, receiving support from mentors and industry experts.

The municipality notes that a key part of the competition was an international mentoring program in London, where representatives from five teams traveled to the headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in April, where the students refined their ideas, worked in a hackathon format, and presented their developed solutions to international experts, receiving professional feedback.