Problem:

IIT Delhi’s TRYST festival, North India’s premier science, technology, and management event, has long been a platform for innovation. However, traditional recognition formats—such as certificates and trophies—offer limited engagement and fail to provide long-term value to recipients. These static awards do not integrate seamlessly with modern digital ecosystems and lack verifiable authenticity, making it challenging for winners to showcase their achievements in meaningful ways. TRYST sought to modernize the award system to better align with technological advancements and enhance the long-term utility of its recognitions.

Solution:

To address these limitations, IIT Delhi partnered with Verix to integrate blockchain technology and generative AI into their award system. This initiative introduced:

• Generative AI-powered Design Challenge: A competition where participants created digital designs using AI tools, ensuring accessibility to advanced creative capabilities.
• Blockchain-authenticated Awards: Winners received unique on-chain NFTs, serving as verifiable proof of achievement and unlocking exclusive real-world opportunities.
• Exclusive Rewards: The top winners—Dibba Jyoti Sarkar (Winner), Shubham (2nd place), and Latika Singh (3rd place)—earned NFTs that granted access to the prestigious Nas Summit 2024 in Mumbai.
• Thought Leadership and Learning: A fireside chat featuring Kirthiga Reddy (Co-founder and CEO, Verix) and Gautam Raj Anand (Founder and CEO, Hubhopper) emphasized the importance of digital transformation, continuous learning, and adaptability in the modern world.

Results:

The TRYST x Verix partnership delivered tangible and lasting outcomes:

• Enhanced Student Engagement: The AI-powered design challenge encouraged innovation and creativity, attracting wide participation.
• Authenticated Digital Recognition: Blockchain-powered NFTs provided verifiable proof of achievement, enhancing the credibility of awards.
• Real-World Impact: Winners received tangible benefits, including exclusive access to the Nas Summit 2024, reinforcing the real-world value of digital awards.
• Industry Validation: The initiative demonstrated the potential of blockchain and generative AI in revolutionizing event recognition, setting new standards for digital credentials.

Reflecting on the partnership, the TRYST Organizing Committee shared: “Our collaboration with Verix has been an eye-opening experience, demonstrating the seamless integration of generative AI in design and showcasing blockchain’s ability to authenticate and elevate student creativity.”

This initiative is just the beginning of how technology can redefine recognition and reward systems, paving the way for future events to leverage digital innovations for meaningful engagement and lifelong value.

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