A team of talented Pakistani students from the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Islamabad has won the coveted Google Challenge Award 2025 for Best AI Use Case, held in Manila, Philippines.
This prestigious accolade, part of the Asia-Pacific Google Solution Challenge, highlights Pakistan’s growing prowess in innovation, artificial intelligence, and space sciences on a global platform.
From Islamabad to Manila: Journey to Victory
Out of over 750 teams from 12 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia, Team GeoGemma emerged as one of the Top 10 finalists and ultimately the winner in their category. The competition was fierce, involving nearly 3,300 students across the region.
Led by Ahmed Iqbal, Campus Lead of Google Developer Groups IST, Team GeoGemma includes members Hanzila Bin Younas, Khalil Ur Rehman, and Abdullah Asif, hailing from IST’s Departments of Computer Science and Space Science. Their project demonstrated the seamless fusion of generative AI technologies with planetary-scale satellite imagery, offering innovative solutions to global challenges.
GeoGemma: A Groundbreaking AI Tool for Climate and Sustainability
GeoGemma is a geo large language model designed to address issues related to sustainability and climate change — key themes aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The tool utilizes artificial intelligence alongside geospatial data to analyze environmental indicators such as surface temperatures and forest loss across any geographic location worldwide.
Integrating Google’s Gemini technology, GeoGemma enhances user experience by providing real-time, insightful data that can assist policymakers, scientists, and communities in making informed decisions to combat climate change and promote sustainability.
Pakistani Innovation on the regional stage
This year’s Google Solution Challenge was hosted in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Hack2skill, emphasizing collaborative innovation for Asia-Pacific development. Pakistan’s success was not limited to Team GeoGemma.
Another Pakistani finalist team from Fast National University (NUCES), named (N+1)-th Time’s the Charm, featuring students Muhammad Huzaifa Khan, Hashim Muhammad Nadeem, and Ibrahim Akhtar, also secured a spot among the top 10 finalists.
Pakistan stood out as the only South Asian country with finalist teams, reflecting the country’s emerging leadership in AI and space technology innovation within the region.
Recognition
The achievement earned widespread acclaim from diplomatic and governmental quarters. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Asima Rabbani, hosted the IST team at her residence and praised their accomplishments on social media: “Proud to host the brilliant Team GeoGemma. Congratulations to Ahmed Iqbal, Abdullah Asif & the finalist Hashim. Wishing you continued success & impact!”
Meanwhile, the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, met with the finalists prior to their Manila trip, expressing strong support: “These young minds are shaping Pakistan’s digital future—we stand firmly behind them.”
The triumph of Team GeoGemma underscores the transformative potential of youth-led innovation in Pakistan. By integrating AI with space science, these students have not only advanced technological frontiers but have also aligned their work with global sustainability priorities.
IST’s commitment to fostering excellence in emerging technologies is evident in this achievement, marking a new chapter in Pakistan’s role in regional and global tech innovation.