Members of the PEEC Nature Youth Group pictured here. Photo by Ryan Ramaker
Article by Ryan Ramaker and Gowri Srinivasan
Members of the PEEC Nature Youth Group have been awarded a prestigious prize for their innovative
and socially impactful Artificial Intelligence (AI) project in the high school track of NeurIPS, the world-
renowned AI conference. Their project was one of only four winners selected from 335 global entries,
putting them in the top 1% of submissions. Along with a monetary prize, one member of the team will
have the opportunity to present at the conference, which will be held in Vancouver in December 2024.
Aditya Viswanathan, a founding member of the PEEC Nature Youth Group, will travel to Vancouver to
present the work and receive the award for the team. Other members of the prize-winning project
include Adis Bock, Zoe Bent, Tate Plohr, Suchir Jha, Celia Pesiri, Sebastian Koglin, and Phoebe Reid.
Founded just a year ago, the club aims to bring together high school students, lab scientists, and local
experts to address environmental challenges in the community. The team is developing an AI system to
help mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the local area. Their success highlights the practical role AI can
play in addressing human-wildlife interactions and environmental challenges.
PEEC Nature Youth Group is developing exciting eco-centric programs for young adults ages 14 – 19+.
These programs will promote PEEC’s mission of enriching local communities in and around Northern
New Mexico by connecting people to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. The program provides
leadership development opportunities for participants and adheres to PEEC’s core principles.