RIYADH | OCTOBER 1, 2026: Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has announced the winners of the third edition of TCS Sustainathon™ Saudi Arabia, its flagship competition that encourages university students to use technology to solve real-world sustainability challenges, which took place in Riyadh on 30 September 2026.
Team Wafir, led by Umair Thasleem, Ammar Koshak, and Rayan Alyasi, from King Abdulaziz University, won the competition and the grand prize of SAR 15,000. The winning team’s solution,Wafir, uses AI and digital twin technology to help households, businesses, and mosques identify the appliances driving energy consumption and uncover opportunities to reduce electricity costs. By providing clear, actionable insights through a smartphone-based experience, the solution aims to make energy efficiency more accessible and scalable across Saudi Arabia.
The second prize was awarded to team Aeroloop, led by Zoha Ahmad, Jood Alfaraj, Yara Alsharif and Lemar Alghabra, from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, which received SAR 10,000. Team HydroGuard, led by Lubaba Raed, Arwa Bawazir and Omar Bawazir, from Prince Sultan University and Alfaisal University, placed third and received SAR 7,000. The top three teams also received gift vouchers, and certificates. The remaining finalists received SAR 4,000 each, with certificates and gift vouchers.
The grand finale, held in Riyadh, brought together some of Saudi Arabia’s brightest young minds to develop AI-powered solutions focused on inclusive economic growth and a more sustainable future. This year’s edition attracted more than 250 registrations and over 50 submissions from students representing more than 40 universities across the Kingdom. From these entries, 10 finalist teams were selected to showcase their solutions at the grand finale.
This year’s theme, “AI for Sustainable Futures,” inspired participants to use AI to address three priority areas:
The competition explored how AI can help communities live, work, grow, and respond to challenges. It emphasised sustainable, accessible, and human-centred solutions that deliver impact where it matters most.
Sudhir Sreedharan, Regional Director, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, TCS, said, “The innovative solutions showcased at this year’s TCS Sustainathon Saudi Arabia reinforce our confidence in the Kingdom’s exceptional pool of young talent. Saudi students are demonstrating not only a strong understanding of emerging technologies such as AI and digital transformation, but also a deep commitment to addressing real-world sustainability challenges. Their ideas reflect the ambition, creativity, and problem-solving mindset that will help shape the Kingdom’s future. At TCS, we are proud to provide a platform that empowers the next generation of innovators to contribute to the goals of Vision 2030 and build a more inclusive, sustainable, and technology-driven future for the Kingdom.”
Since its launch in 2024, TCS Sustainathon™ Saudi Arabia has grown into a recognised platform for youth-led innovation. Now in its third edition, the programme continues to evolve alongside Saudi Arabia’s priorities, building momentum and a pipeline of practical, impact-driven ideas.
