Students from Brazil’s landless workers movement win AI prize
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Students from a rural settlement in Brazil’s Piauí state earned recognition in the 2nd National Artificial Intelligence Olympiad with their digital platform, “Raízes Conectadas” (Connected Roots).
The students, attending the Lucas Meireles Alves school in the 17 de Abril settlement near Teresina, developed the tool with a teacher to connect local family and organic farmers directly with consumers, especially public schools.
The project began as a solution to a local problem: farmers in the settlement often had surplus produce that spoiled because they lacked a market, while schools struggled to access fresh, healthy food. The “Raízes Conectadas” platform bridges this gap, ensuring farmers can sell their goods and schools can provide nutritious meals. More than 900,000 people participated in the National AI Olympiad.
As a result of winning the Seduckathon, a state-level innovation marathon sponsored by the Piauí State Department of Education, the students traveled to Singapore in January 2026 for a technology exchange. There, they studied technology and culture, expanding their knowledge and skills. The group is currently developing a mobile application to broaden the reach of “Raízes Conectadas” beyond its initial scope, with plans to expand the platform nationally. Anyone can currently access the website to learn more.
