Introduction to Capstone Project
Summary
A capstone project is a comprehensive academic endeavor where students engage in extensive research on a
particular topic, deeply understanding the subject matter, and integrating their knowledge to develop solutions
to real-world problems. The AI Capstone project allows students to apply their AI skills in a practical context,
demonstrating their expertise and tackling significant issues. This process involves learning critical skills such
as teamwork, problem identification, brainstorming, ethical data usage, prototype testing, and effective
communication of their solutions.
Key Learning Points:
Team Collaboration: Learning to work effectively as a team member.
Problem Identification: Clearly defining issues and understanding their impact on users.
Solution Brainstorming: Generating and selecting the best solutions through brainstorming sessions.
AI Application: Deciding which type of AI is useful for the proposed solution.
Data Ethics: Ethically gathering and using data to train AI models.
Prototype Testing: Testing prototypes with users and iterating based on feedback.
Pitching: Presenting solutions to stakeholders to gain support and action.
Example Capstone Projects:
1. Stock Prices Predictor: Using historical stock data to predict future stock prices.
2. Sentiment Analyzer: Analyzing text data to determine sentiment.
3. Movie Ticket Price Predictor: Predicting optimal movie ticket prices based on various factors.
4. Student Results Predictor: Predicting students' academic performance using historical data.
5. Human Activity Recognition: Using smartphone data to recognize human activities.
6. Classifying Humans and Animals in Photos: Using image recognition to differentiate between
humans and animals.
Key Considerations for AI Projects:
Pattern Recognition: Ensure the problem has an identifiable pattern that AI can analyze.
AI Techniques: Utilize different AI approaches such as classification, regression, clustering, anomaly
detection, and recommendation to identify patterns and solve problems.
Problem Decomposition Steps:
1. Understand and Restate the Problem: Simplify and clearly articulate the problem.
2. Break into Large Pieces: Identify the major components of the problem.
3. Break into Smaller Pieces: Further decompose complex pieces into simpler units.
4. Implement and Test Solutions: Code and test small pieces iteratively to build the solution.
Example Decomposition for Traffic Jams:
1. Understand and Restate: "The public faces significant difficulties due to traffic jams during busy
office hours."
2. Break into Large Pieces: Identify major causes such as bad roads, accidents, peak office hours, rash
driving, inappropriate signals, and overcrowded areas.
3. Break into Smaller Pieces: Further simplify complex causes, e.g., rash driving into overspeeding,
inexperienced drivers, and careless driving.
4. Implement and Test Solutions: Address each issue separately and iteratively test potential solutions.
Critical and Creative Thinking:
Critical Thinking: Analyzing situations based on facts and data to make informed judgments.
Creative Thinking: Generating new ideas and innovative solutions to problems.
Design Thinking Framework:
Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process used to understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine
problems, and create innovative solutions. It includes five stages:
1. Empathize: Understand the users' needs through observation and interaction.
2. Define: Draw insights from the empathize stage to state the problem clearly.
3. Ideate: Brainstorm numerous ideas to solve the problem.
4. Prototype: Create simple models or representations of the solutions.
5. Test: Evaluate prototypes with users and gather feedback to improve the solution.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Projects should align with SDGs to ensure they contribute to sustainable development. Examples include:
Zero Hunger: Creating solutions to achieve sustainable food systems.
Good Health and Well-being: Developing AI solutions for health-related challenges.
Gender Equality: Addressing issues related to gender disparities.
Renewable Energy: Innovating in the field of sustainable energy.
Sustainable Cities and Communities: Creating solutions for urban sustainability.
Project Abstract Creation Using Design Thinking:
1. Project Name: A creative and relevant name related to the problem.
2. Team Members: List of participants.
3. Problem Selection: Identify a significant issue aligned with SDGs through surveys or interviews.
4. Users Affected: Identify the primary users impacted by the problem.
5. Empathize: Create an empathy map to understand users deeply.
6. Define: Use 5W1H questions to articulate the problem statement.
7. Ideate: Brainstorm and list various ideas for solutions.
8. Prototype: Develop a prototype using simple and accessible methods.
9. Test: (Optional at this stage) Test the prototype and gather user feedback.
Example Project Abstract:
1. Project Name: Subject Selection System
2. Team Members: Students’ names
3. Problem Selection: Difficulty in subject selection for class X students
o Details: Students often struggle to choose appropriate subjects for higher studies due to a lack of
guidance, affecting their educational outcomes.
o Aligned SDG: Quality Education (SDG 4)
4. Users Affected: Students, parents, and educators.
5. Empathize:
o Method: Interview students currently in higher education and those about to choose subjects.
o Empathy Map:
Says: "I'm confused about what to choose."
Thinks: "Will I enjoy this subject in the long run?"
Does: Researches online but feels overwhelmed.
Feels: Anxious and uncertain about the future.
6. Define:
o 5W1H Questions:
Who: Students and their guardians.
What: Inability to select suitable subjects.
Where: Schools during admission periods.
When: During subject selection for higher education.
Why: Due to a lack of information and guidance.
How: By developing an AI-based guidance system.
o Problem Statement: "Students struggle to choose subjects for higher education, which can be
addressed by developing an AI system to analyze their aptitudes and suggest suitable subjects."
7. Ideate:
o Ideas:
Develop an app for subject suggestions.
Create a chatbot for interactive guidance.
Design a website for subject and school information.
8. Prototype:
o Selected Idea: Chatbot for subject guidance.
o Description: A chatbot that interacts with students, assesses their interests and aptitudes, and
suggests suitable subjects.
9. Test (Optional):
o Method: Present the chatbot to students and educators for feedback.
o Feedback: Gather insights on usability and effectiveness to refine the solution.
This comprehensive approach using the capstone project framework and design thinking ensures that students
can effectively tackle complex problems with innovative AI solutions while contributing to sustainable
development goals.
