Computer Science Student Earned 2nd Place in Paper Competition at IEEE Region 1 & 2 SAC 2026
AI-powered customer service for small businesses
Posted in: Awards and Recognition, Department Research, Students
Elijah Abban Baidoo, a student in the School of Computing, earned second place in the paper competition at the IEEE Region 1 & 2 Student Activities Conference (SAC) 2026. The conference brought together approximately 300 students and faculty from more than 35 universities across IEEE Regions 1 and 2.
Elijah is a Computer Science major focused on artificial intelligence. His research explores how AI can support small food businesses through automated customer service on Instagram, improving response times and reducing the burden on staff.
Under the guidance of Professor Debapriya Hazra, Elijah developed an AI-powered framework for 24/7 text-based customer engagement. Built using n8n software, the Meta Graph API, and Gemini, the system demonstrates how small businesses can provide always-available support without the waiting times of traditional customer service. His work draws on advances in Natural Language Processing, enabling conversational agents to handle multiple customer inquiries simultaneously.
The IEEE R1 & R2 Student Activities Conference (SAC) is an annual event organized by the IEEE Regions 1 and 2. This conference provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, compete in various technical and professional competitions, and network with fellow students, industry professionals, and IEEE leaders.
In recent years, the IEEE Montclair Student Organization has organized numerous academic events, including seminars, hands-on workshops, and showcases in intelligent systems, robotics, AI, and computer science, helping students develop practical technical skills, explore emerging technologies, and engage with the broader engineering community.
Joining IEEE will help to enhance students’ professional records and gain recognition for their future career development. Learn more about becoming an IEEE student member and the benefits. Montclair Students are eligible for membership fee reimbursement via the IEEE North Jersey Section and IEEE AP Society.
Process for Membership and Compensation
- Visit the IEEE Membership website
- Click Join as a student
- Download your receipt after completing the registration for both IEEE and IEEE AP Society
- Email the receipt to Dr. Weitian Wang (IEEE MSU Student Branch Advisor) at wangw@montclair.edu