What happens when two computer science students get the chance to bring their ideas to life in a real urban development project? For Munira Ahmed and Shaemaa Toma, their master’s thesis at KTH Royal Institute of Technology has become more than just a final assignment before graduation—it’s become an opportunity to combine programming with tangible societal benefit.
As part of DigiCityClimate, a project where KTH collaborates with the City of Stockholm, ElectriCITY, and residents of Hammarby Sjöstad, Munira and Shaemaa are developing a digital platform that connects three central components of the project:
- The AI-based chatbot Spara
- The digital control room, which includes sensor data from buildings
- Data on urban heat islands and greenery
“We’re building a prototype that brings all of this together in one interface. It feels meaningful to work with technology that can actually be used,” says Munira.
Technology That Makes a Difference
They’ve chosen to focus on one specific property, The Village in Hammarby Sjöstad, where they analyze and visualize data from selected sensors.
“We try to think: how can we help people understand their energy consumption? What can an ordinary person do to save energy at home? Then it becomes logical to have a chatbot that can answer questions and offer advice,” Shaemaa explains.
Integrating three different systems into a single solution has been both technically challenging and inspiring.
“We initially thought we’d be working with AI, but the focus shifted to platform development. And it’s been a lot of fun,” says Munira.
Daring to Take Your Place as a StudentBeing part of a real-world project can feel daunting as a student, but both emphasize how much they’ve learned—and how important it is to dare, even if you don’t know everything from the start.
“It’s easy to think everyone else knows more, but you learn by trying. That’s how you build experience,” says Shaemaa.
“As long as you focus and do your best, that’s enough. It’s about daring to try,” Munira adds.
They’ve also seen their technical skills develop throughout the project. They’re working with frontend, backend, and full-stack development, learning how different systems are connected to form a comprehensive solution.
Future Dreams and Curiosity
What the future holds is still open—perhaps master’s studies, perhaps a job in software development, UX design, or smart systems.
“We’ve gained so much. Both about development, energy data, and how to work in larger project groups. This experience will definitely stay with us,” says Munira.
“The best part has probably been meeting engaged people who want to make a difference—both at KTH and within the project,” says Shaemaa.
Text: Carina Näslundh
