AI Hackathon 1st Place
Date
Apr 2025
Team
4 UX/UI Designers, UFSC Support
Core Skills
AI-Enhanced Design
Collaboration
Awards
Tool
Figma
ChatGPT
Visual Electric
Adobe Firefly
GoogleFX
Sora
AI-designed, award-winning AR solution for restoring the environment
Utilized a range of AI tools—including ChatGPT, Sora, Adobe Firefly, Visual Electric, and GoogleFX—to lead the entire design process from concept ideation to storytelling and visual execution.
Collaborated with a cross-functional team to create a gamified AR experience where virtual actions contribute to real-world protection and restoration of the Amazon rainforest.
Read the article
Overview
Overview
"Can technology give everyday people the power to reverse global destruction?"
"Can technology give everyday people the power to reverse global destruction?"
ReforestAR is an AI-powered AR platform designed to transform passive concern for the Amazon rainforest into active, measurable impact. This project blends cutting-edge design, artificial intelligence, and immersive interaction to turn environmental preservation into an engaging experience.
ReforestAR is an AI-powered AR platform designed to transform passive concern for the Amazon rainforest into active, measurable impact. This project blends cutting-edge design, artificial intelligence, and immersive interaction to turn environmental preservation into an engaging experience.
The Problem
The Problem
People Care, But Action Feels Impossible
People Care, But Action Feels Impossible
1
1
Amazon is vanishing fast
‣ 17% is already gone
‣ At 25%, collapse is irreversible
‣ 3 football fields lost every minute
Amazon is vanishing fast
‣ 17% is already gone
‣ At 25%, collapse is irreversible
‣ 3 football fields lost every minute
2
2
People want to help, but feel powerless
‣ No clear or trustworthy way to act
‣ Donations disappear in bureaucracy
‣ Saving nature feels like a sacrifice
People want to help, but feel powerless
‣ No clear or trustworthy way to act
‣ Donations disappear in bureaucracy
‣ Saving nature feels like a sacrifice
3
3
Systems are broken
‣ Corruption blocks protection
‣ Local defenders face threats
‣ Conservation is slow, weak, too late
Systems are broken
‣ Corruption blocks protection
‣ Local defenders face threats
‣ Conservation is slow, weak, too late
We need a way that’s transparent, actionable, and emotionally engaging — for anyone, anywhere.
We need a way that’s transparent, actionable, and emotionally engaging — for anyone, anywhere.
Target Persona
Target Persona
Davi Almeida (22)
Davi Almeida (22)
Pain Points
Pain Points
Helpless about Amazon’s destruction
Lack of transparency in charities
Local vs. global action feels disconnected
Helpless about Amazon’s destruction
Lack of transparency in charities
Local vs. global action feels disconnected
Goals
Goals
Combine sustainability with real, doable action
Empower global users through decentralized tools
Build deep emotional connection to the Amazon
Combine sustainability with real, doable action
Empower global users through decentralized tools
Build deep emotional connection to the Amazon
Davi needs a clear, trustworthy, and engaging way to take real action — no matter where he is.
Davi needs a clear, trustworthy, and engaging way to take real action — no matter where he is.
Brainstorming
Ideation & Research
Ideation & Research
How We Got Started
How We Got Started
We began by analyzing the systemic failures causing Amazon deforestation—monopoly power, government inaction, and lack of transparency. From this, we identified our target audience: Gen Z users who care but feel powerless.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Our Goal
Our Goal
To create a sense of agency. Make forest restoration personal, accessible, and rewarding.
To create a sense of agency. Make forest restoration personal, accessible, and rewarding.
Design Solution
Design Solution
AI x AR Powered Gamification
AI x AR Powered Gamification
We designed an AR-based mobile platform where users can:
We designed an AR-based mobile platform where users can:
Deploy AI-generated drone missions to reforest real land.
Deploy AI-generated drone missions to reforest real land.
Earn tokens by restoring degraded areas digitally (synced with real conservation).
Earn tokens by restoring degraded areas digitally (synced with real conservation).
Track and visualize environmental change over time with AI analysis.
Track and visualize environmental change over time with AI analysis.
How AI Was Used
How AI Was Used
AI Terrain Mapping
AI Terrain Mapping
To match AR interaction with real-world deforested areas.
To match AR interaction with real-world deforested areas.
Impact Prediction Model
Impact Prediction Model
Users receive real-time feedback on how their actions affect the ecosystem.
Users receive real-time feedback on how their actions affect the ecosystem.
Dynamic User Path
Dynamic User Path
AI adapts the user journey depending on engagement patterns (personalized mission prompts).
AI adapts the user journey depending on engagement patterns (personalized mission prompts).
Game Mechanics & Ecosystem Flow
Game Mechanics & Ecosystem Flow
What Kind of Game Is It?
What Kind of Game Is It?
An AR-based Play-to-Earn eco-restoration game where users can protect and regenerate the Amazon rainforest through immersive gameplay that bridges virtual and real-world actions.
An AR-based Play-to-Earn eco-restoration game where users can protect and regenerate the Amazon rainforest through immersive gameplay that bridges virtual and real-world actions.
Game System Overview
Game System Overview
1
1
Enter the Virtual Amazon
Enter the Virtual Amazon
Enter the Virtual Amazon
Users begin by entering a virtual replica of the Amazon using AR, helping create emotional immersion and environmental awareness.
Users begin by entering a virtual replica of the Amazon using AR, helping create emotional immersion and environmental awareness.
2
2
Build & Regenerate Forest
Build & Regenerate Forest
Through missions, users deploy virtual drones and seed pods to plant trees and nurture biodiversity.
The forest grows based on strategic actions and time-based progress, reflecting real ecological principles.
Through missions, users deploy virtual drones and seed pods to plant trees and nurture biodiversity.
The forest grows based on strategic actions and time-based progress, reflecting real ecological principles.
3
3
Earn Impact-Based Crypto Rewards
Earn Impact-Based Crypto Rewards
Earn Impact-Based Crypto Rewards
Users are rewarded with crypto tokens for their environmental actions.
Tokens are tied to real-world ecological contributions (e.g., verified reforestation partners).
Users are rewarded with crypto tokens for their environmental actions.
Tokens are tied to real-world ecological contributions (e.g., verified reforestation partners).
4
4
Keep, Donate, or Reinvest Tokens
Keep, Donate, or Reinvest Tokens
Tokens can be:
Reinvested to boost reforestation speed
Donated to NGOs
Traded in a gamified eco-marketplace
Tokens can be:
Reinvested to boost reforestation speed
Donated to NGOs
Traded in a gamified eco-marketplace
5
5
Real-World Restoration Powered by Play
Real-World Restoration Powered by Play
Real-World Restoration Powered by Play
In-game actions directly fund real-world restoration efforts.
Example: Completing a mission → A real tree is planted through a partner NGO.
In-game actions directly fund real-world restoration efforts.
Example: Completing a mission → A real tree is planted through a partner NGO.
Final Demo
Final Demo
Outcome
Outcome
🥇 1st Place Winner – AI Hackathon, San Francisco
Our project won first place at an AI Hackathon in San Francisco for its emotional impact and real-world relevance.
The judging panel responded positively to the “tangible impact” feedback loop, where in-game actions were designed to inspire real-world environmental change.
This demonstrated how human-centered, thoughtful design can make AI feel emotional, empowering, and purpose-driven—not just technical.
🥇 1st Place Winner – AI Hackathon, San Francisco
Our project won first place at an AI Hackathon in San Francisco for its emotional impact and real-world relevance.
The judging panel responded positively to the “tangible impact” feedback loop, where in-game actions were designed to inspire real-world environmental change.
This demonstrated how human-centered, thoughtful design can make AI feel emotional, empowering, and purpose-driven—not just technical.
Reflection
Reflection
This project began with a question:
Can AI and VR help solve the Amazon rainforest crisis?
Exploring how technology can reconnect people with nature was inspiring.
But as we built the concept, key challenges became clear:
– Is this idea actually feasible?
– Will users stay engaged?
– Is there a path to real impact and funding?
Gamifying the issue helped make it feel personal, but I learned that broader accessibility requires deeper user research—especially across different age groups and tech familiarity.
It reminded me that impactful design starts with bold ideas, but succeeds when grounded in real needs, limitations, and empathy
This project began with a question:
Can AI and VR help solve the Amazon rainforest crisis?
Exploring how technology can reconnect people with nature was inspiring.
But as we built the concept, key challenges became clear:
– Is this idea actually feasible?
– Will users stay engaged?
– Is there a path to real impact and funding?
Gamifying the issue helped make it feel personal, but I learned that broader accessibility requires deeper user research—especially across different age groups and tech familiarity.
It reminded me that impactful design starts with bold ideas, but succeeds when grounded in real needs, limitations, and empathy
Company Vision & Mission
Vision
Help developers grow by making their learning visible, shareable, and collaborative.
Mission
Provide a platform where users can log progress, get personalized content, and connect with peers — all in one place.
