The Second Annual Sushi Hackathon has crowned Team SushInnovation as its 2025 winners, after the group of young engineers and students unveiled Polaris – an AI-powered solution designed to modernise fishing operations and improve profitability while supporting sustainability.
The event, held October 3 at Stanford University’s Alumni Center and hosted by the Walter H Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center in partnership with GDX and sponsor SMBC, drew more than 1,500 applications. Sixty participants were selected to compete under the theme “Development of AI solutions to increase fishermen’s income”.
SushInnovation’s Polaris project uses generative AI (GenAI) to enable fishing boats to function more efficiently, allowing crews to automate sonar fish detection, detect mechanical failures in real time, and monitor vessel operations. Judges praised the project for giving crews more time to focus on fishing while also helping them identify, classify, and prioritise premium fish for quality and taste. The team – comprising Ethan Bernstein (UC Davis), Anthony Furman (UC Santa Cruz), Kamran Hussain (Stanford), and Rome Drori (San Jose State University) – took home the US$30,000 grand prize.
“Our solution addresses three questions core to modern fishing: where can fish be caught, what type of fish has been caught, and what is its quality,” the team said. “By using sensors connected to AI, boats can better understand their operations and optimise time at sea.”
The hackathon, which has become a showcase for the intersection of AI and seafood, also awarded Deep Catch second place and Pill Snap third. Beyond fishing-specific innovations, participants also worked on broader digital challenges, from AI-powered supply chain resilience to sustainable delivery models.
A keynote address from Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s former Minister of Digital Affairs, emphasised the global importance of using AI responsibly in food systems. Meanwhile, chef Yuichi Arai provided an authentic Edomae sushi dinner for competitors and guests, underscoring the cultural and culinary context of the event.
Anthony Leung, Executive Officer at GDX, said SushInnovation’s project demonstrates the real-world potential of AI in the seafood industry: “Polaris exemplifies how GenAI can transform sustainable fishing. Their solution shows how digital tools can help preserve ocean health, reduce waste, and support fishermen’s livelihoods while delivering high-quality fish to consumers.”
