Shanghai teenager earns prize money by building AI app without coding skills
Shanghai teen with no coding experience created an AI surveillance app for studying and won third place at a national competition through sales.
A Shanghai teenager with no coding experience has pocketed 18,000 yuan (US$2,600) in three days by building an artificial intelligence app that watches over children while they study, demonstrating how generative AI tools are lowering barriers to software development.
Zhu Shuhan, 13, a second-year junior secondary student, created the surveillance app "Zai Chang" (On Site) despite zero programming background and less than a year of AI experience. Her product beat more than 50 competitors at a national AI product marketing competition in Hangzhou from August 21 to 23, earning her third place and a 5,000-yuan prize.
How the app works
The application turns parents into virtual supervisors by uploading their photograph. The AI-generated parental figure then monitors children through a camera as they complete homework, issuing voice warnings if the system detects the child using a mobile device or leaving their seat. After the study session ends, the app produces a "concentration report".
Sales-based contest bypasses technical evaluation
The competition determined winners purely through revenue rather than technical assessment, no technology judges participated. Shuhan's 90 orders during the three-day selling window generated the 18,000 yuan that secured her podium finish.
"This development experience made me realise that as long as you have a great idea, AI can bring it to life," Shuhan said.
The case illustrates how large language models and no-code AI platforms are enabling children and non-programmers to create commercially viable software products, potentially reshaping who can participate in the technology economy.
Source: South China Morning Post
Frequently asked questions
What app did Zhu Shuhan create and how does it work?
Zhu Shuhan created 'Zai Chang' (On Site), an AI app that monitors children while they study. Parents upload their photograph, and the AI generates a parental figure that watches through a camera, issuing voice warnings if the child uses a mobile device or leaves their seat. After studying, the app produces a concentration report.
How much prize money did Zhu Shuhan earn and how?
Zhu Shuhan earned 18,000 yuan (US$2,600) in three days. She won third place at a national AI product marketing competition in Hangzhou, with winners determined by sales revenue rather than technical evaluation. She generated 90 orders during the three-day selling window.
Did Zhu Shuhan have coding experience before building this app?
No, Zhu Shuhan had zero programming background and less than one year of AI experience. She is a 13-year-old second-year junior secondary student who created the app using no-code AI platforms.
What does this case demonstrate about AI and software development?
This case illustrates how large language models and no-code AI platforms are lowering barriers to software development, enabling children and non-programmers to create commercially viable software products and potentially reshaping who can participate in the technology economy.
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