ICEA and MIB Unveil Winners of TruthTell Hackathon: Innovators Tackle Misinformation

The TruthTell Hackathon, which was launched in October 2024, received over 450 unique idea submissions from students and professionals across more than 300 cities.

In a groundbreaking event today, the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), in partnership with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), announced the top five winners of the TruthTell Hackathon, a global competition aimed at combating misinformation and manipulated media through cutting-edge technology. This hackathon is a part of the ‘Create in India Challenge,’ which is set to culminate at the prestigious World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.

Held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, the event showcased the ingenuity of innovators from around the world. A panel of esteemed industry experts observed the top 25 shortlisted innovators as they demonstrated their prototypes for tackling misinformation across various media platforms. With over 5,600 registrations from across the globe, the TruthTell Hackathon drew global participation, with innovative solutions focusing on AI-driven tools for verifying information and detecting manipulated media in real time.

The five winning teams were awarded a collective prize of INR 10 lakhs for their trailblazing solutions aimed at improving media integrity and safeguarding digital platforms from the dangerous spread of misinformation. These solutions varied from AI-powered systems to deepfake detection tools, and each one brings a unique approach to tackling the rising threat of manipulated media.

Winning Teams and Their Groundbreaking Solutions

1. Team Unicron from Delhi took home the top honor with their solution "Anvesha," an innovative tool designed to detect misinformation in text, images, and videos. The system uses advanced algorithms to cross-check content in real-time, ensuring the accuracy of the media consumed by users.

2. Team Alchemist from Dehradun received accolades for their project "VeriStream: Fact-First in Every Frame." This dynamic tool leverages LangChain-powered natural language processing (NLP), dynamic knowledge graphs, and GIS insights to fact-check live broadcasts. It also incorporates Explainable AI to clarify the sources of misinformation, offering a robust defense against false narratives.

3. Team Whooshing Liars from Bengaluru was honored for their AI-powered tool "Nexus of Truth." This solution uses deep learning algorithms to detect deepfakes and fact-check news articles. The tool supports multiple languages and sends real-time alerts for misinformation detected in live broadcasts, making it a valuable asset for both media outlets and social media platforms.

4. Team Bug Smashers from Delhi won for their project "Live Truth: AI Powered Misinformation Detector." This solution blends the capabilities of local Large Language Models (LLM) with real-time fact-checking APIs to evaluate the credibility of content. The system provides real-time scores on media reliability and includes a community-driven validation feature through GPS-based SMS verification, enhancing its authenticity in live broadcast scenarios.

5. Team Vortex Squad from Bengaluru emerged victorious for their "Real-Time Misinformation Detection and Fact-Checking System." This AI-driven tool is designed to detect and flag misinformation during live events, ensuring accuracy and transparency in real-time. It helps prevent the spread of false information during high-stakes events and broadcasts, where misinformation can have dire consequences.

Each of these teams demonstrated innovative, forward-thinking approaches that tackle the challenge of misinformation from different angles. Their tools have the potential to reshape how misinformation is managed in real-time, offering powerful solutions to combat the digital threats that affect today's media landscape.

Dignitaries and Industry Experts Applaud the Efforts

The showcase event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and CEO of IndiaAI Mission, as well as Shri Sanjiv Shankar, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Their speeches underscored the importance of ethical AI development and the need for global collaboration in addressing misinformation.

In his remarks, Mr. Singh emphasized that the advent of AI technology, which can convincingly replicate voices, images, and even entire identities, has made distinguishing fact from fiction increasingly difficult. "The TruthTell Hackathon is a vital step in addressing this challenge," he stated. "I commend all participants for their dedication, and I believe these solutions will play an essential role in the global fight against misinformation."

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

Shri Sanjiv Shankar added that this hackathon is a key initiative under the ‘Create in India Challenge’ and represents a major effort to address the profound challenges posed by misinformation in the media and entertainment industry. "Misinformation can undermine societal harmony and disrupt lives," he noted. "This initiative brings together young innovators from across the globe to find technological solutions that can flag false content in real-time. We are excited to see these solutions at WAVES 2025, where they will be presented to an international audience."

The TruthTell Hackathon, which was launched in October 2024, received over 450 unique idea submissions from students and professionals across more than 300 cities. With a remarkable 36% female participation, the hackathon highlighted the diversity and creativity of India’s young talent. After several rounds of screening and mentorship, 25 finalists were chosen to present their ideas during the grand finale in Delhi. These finalists represented a broad cross-section of India, from Coimbatore to Chandigarh, and from Bangalore to Bhopal.

A Commitment to Ethical AI and Innovation

The TruthTell Hackathon is part of the Indian Government’s broader vision to foster ethical AI solutions that can address emerging challenges in the digital age. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) and the IndiaAI Mission, the event embodies India's commitment to leveraging AI for responsible innovation. Through initiatives like these, India is positioning itself as a global leader in developing solutions to complex digital threats and fostering a more secure, informed digital ecosystem.

The winners’ journey is far from over. The solutions presented at the TruthTell Hackathon will be further refined and showcased at the upcoming WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai from 1–4 May 2025. The world will have an opportunity to witness firsthand the innovative technologies that are shaping the future of digital media integrity.

As Mr. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, remarked, "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. I am confident that these teams will continue to push boundaries and develop solutions that will make a real-world impact."

Looking Ahead

The TruthTell Hackathon represents a pivotal moment in the fight against misinformation, and with the momentum gained from this event, India’s innovators are poised to make significant contributions to both the national and global efforts in combating digital misinformation. As the solutions evolve, they hold the potential to redefine how we interact with media, ensuring a more accurate, transparent, and trustworthy digital future.