Description

Event Overview IEEEXtreme 19.0 is a prestigious global programming competition organized annually by the IEEE, where university students collaborate in teams to solve algorithmic and computational challenges within a 24-hour period. It serves as a platform that promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and technical problem-solving while nurturing innovation among aspiring engineers. As part of the pre-event workshop series for IEEEXtreme 19.0, the IEEE Student Branch of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University successfully organized Workshop 01 – “Utilizing Generative AI to Accelerate Problem Solving” on 10th September 2025 at the FGS 3-1 Classroom. The workshop aimed to enhance students’ understanding of how Generative Artificial Intelligence can support efficient problem-solving and performance improvement in programming competitions such as IEEEXtreme 19.0. Event Highlights The session commenced with a welcome speech by the Program Lead of IEEEXtreme 19.0, Mr. Amesh Isuranga, who warmly welcomed all participants and outlined the objectives of the IEEEXtreme 19.0 workshop series. The event was compered by Ms. Thulanya Dewasurendra, who maintained a smooth and engaging flow throughout the session by introducing the speaker, coordinating the event transitions, and encouraging participant engagement. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Manith Marapperuma, Former Webmaster, IEEE Student Branch at KDU; Top 10 National Ranking, IEEEXtreme Competition; Machine Learning Engineer Intern, Augustory Corp; and Researcher in Computer Vision & Knowledge Graphs. During his insightful session, Mr. Manith Marapperuma discussed the theme “Utilizing Generative AI to Accelerate Problem Solving”, focusing on how AI-powered tools can complement human intelligence in algorithmic thinking and coding. He demonstrated how AI can aid in idea generation, code optimization, and testing, while emphasizing the enduring value of human logic and reasoning in achieving meaningful outcomes. The session also included an interactive Q&A segment, where participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions about the potential, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI in programming. Mr. Marapperuma’s clear explanations, supported by real-world examples, provided participants with practical strategies to apply AI tools effectively in their future IEEEXtreme 19.0 problem-solving endeavors. The event concluded with a thank-you speech by the Event Secretary of IEEEXtreme 19.0, Ms. Omesha Nethmini, who expressed sincere gratitude to the speaker for his valuable contribution and to the organizing committee for their dedicated efforts in making the workshop a success. Participants’ Statistics The workshop recorded the participation of 40+ undergraduates from the Faculties of Computing, Engineering, and Technology. The attendees showed great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the session, actively engaging with the speaker during the discussion. Final Summary The IEEEXtreme 19.0 Workshop 01 – “Utilizing Generative AI to Accelerate Problem Solving” was a highly impactful and knowledge-enriching session organized by the IEEE Student Branch of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. The event provided participants with a strong understanding of how Generative AI can enhance efficiency, creativity, and problem-solving approaches in competitive programming contexts. Led by Mr. Manith Marapperuma, the session inspired students to embrace AI as a supportive tool while continuing to rely on critical human reasoning. The workshop successfully set a positive tone for the upcoming sessions of the IEEEXtreme 19.0.