Indian hackathon awards top innovators for tackling fake news

The India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), has named the top five winners of the TruthTell Hackathon, a global challenge tackling misinformation through technological solutions.

The event, hosted at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, celebrated these winners who emerged from over 5,600 registrations worldwide. The participating theme was part of the 'Create in India Challenge' for the forthcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.

The successful teams, which were awarded a cumulative cash prize of INR 10 lakhs, included Team Unicron from Delhi, honoured for their work with Anvesha in detecting misinformation across various media. Team Alchemist from Dehradun was recognised for their solution, VeriStream: Fact-First in Every Frame, incorporating various advanced technologies to address misinformation in live broadcasts.

Bengaluru-based Team Whooshing Liars was awarded for Nexus of Truth, an AI-powered toolkit designed to expose deepfakes and verify news articles in real time. Team Bug Smashers from Delhi focused on delivering real-time credibility scores for live broadcasts through their creation, Live Truth: AI Powered Misinformation Detector. Team Vortex Squad from Bengaluru developed a Real-Time Misinformation Detection and Fact-Checking System to ensure accuracy during live events.

The dignitaries present at the event included Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & IT and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, and Shri Sanjiv Shankar, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The jury was comprised of notable experts such as Shri Jeet Vijayvargiya, Vikram Malhotra, Alok Gurtu, Dr. Avik Sarkar, and Shri Shashank Vaishnav.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, spoke at the event about the importance of combating misinformation in the digital age. "India has long witnessed the power of rumour – from village folklore to misguided beliefs and in today's digital age, misinformation doesn't walk, it flies. Therefore, stepping into the digital realm to tackle the issue of misinformation is now more crucial than ever."

"The rapid spread of falsehoods, especially in this digital age, presents a serious challenge. However, with the bright and innovative minds we have here today, including a remarkable 36% female participation, I am confident we will create robust, future-ready solutions. These aren't just prize-winning ideas; they are blueprints for how India can lead the world in building ethical, AI-driven solutions for complex digital threats."

Mohindroo further praised the winners and expressed anticipation for these solutions to make an impact in the real world. He commented that the ideas could continue to drive AI innovation globally.

Shri Abhishek Singh highlighted the achievements and significance of the hackathon, saying, "In an era where AI can convincingly mimic voices, images, and even entire identities, distinguishing fact from fiction has become a pressing challenge. The TruthTell Hackathon is a significant step in addressing this issue, and I commend all the participants for their efforts in developing innovative solutions."

"The work being done here will contribute immensely to combating the spread of misinformation and protecting society from its harmful consequences. We are committed to supporting initiatives like this, which empower the nation to leverage AI for responsible innovation. I believe these solutions will not only be valuable to India but will also play an essential role in the global fight against misinformation."

Shri Sanjiv Shankar described the hackathon as an essential initiative to combat misinformation in the modern digital age. He remarked, "The TruthTell Hackathon is a vital step towards addressing the challenges posed by misinformation in today's digital age. As one of 32 challenges under 'Create in India Challenge,' this initiative brings together young innovators from across the globe to solve one of the most significant issues affecting the media and entertainment industry."

"Misinformation can derail societal harmony and disrupt lives, which is why it's crucial for us to find technological solutions that can flag false content in real-time. I congratulate all the participants for their impressive ideas and encourage them to keep innovating. We look forward to seeing these solutions presented at WAVES 2025, where they will be showcased to an international audience, potentially influencing the future of responsible media. Together, we can shape a more informed, secure digital ecosystem for the future."

The TruthTell Hackathon launched in October 2024 and attracted over 450 unique idea submissions from students and professionals in more than 300 cities, with 36% female participation. It was supported by the Ministry of Electronics & IT and the IndiaAI Mission, aligning with the Indian Government's aim to promote ethical AI and bolster trust in digital systems through innovation.