Pakistani girl wins Global AI prize with sustainable farming tech

Dubai: A Pakistani student has put her country in the global spotlight by leading her team to first place in the AI 4 Good Incubator 2025, a high-stakes, international techthon focused on harnessing artificial intelligence for climate action.

Mahroosh Umer, an AS-level STEM student, spearheaded the development of AgriGuard. AI, a groundbreaking platform that empowers smallholder farmers with AI-driven, climate-smart agricultural tools.

Competing against teams from across the globe, Mahroosh and her multinational team clinched the top prize for their innovative response to the challenge: “How might we use AI to accelerate the journey to net zero?”

The five-day global event brought together hundreds of young innovators, but AgriGuard. AI stood out for its unique blend of cutting-edge technology, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment.

Soil data

The platform leverages satellite imagery and soil data to provide hyper-local, actionable recommendations that help farmers improve soil health, increase crop yields, and access income opportunities through carbon credits — effectively making sustainability a profitable path forward.

Mahroosh’s technical leadership was central to the win. She prototyped the platform using Glide, an interactive tool that allowed farmers to visualise AI insights in real-world farming contexts. Her work illustrated how seamlessly advanced tech can integrate into traditional agriculture, helping farmers make informed, data-driven decisions every day.

Climate change

“We wanted to make sure technology wasn’t just powerful, but practical especially for smallholder farmers who are on the frontlines of climate change,” said Mahroosh.

The victory marks a milestone for Pakistani youth in global STEM innovation, reflecting both the talent and the growing role of the country’s young minds in shaping tech-driven environmental solutions.

Who is Mahroosh Umer

A passionate advocate for tech-powered change, Mahroosh focuses on using STEM to solve real-world social and environmental challenges. Through AgriGuard. AI, she is setting a new benchmark for young innovators aiming to make a tangible, global impact.