AI for auditory wellness: Surya Maddula’s quest to tackle noise pollution

(January 19, 2024) According to World Bank estimates, by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have hearing loss, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. Also, over one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This is an issue 16-year-old Bengaluru boy Surya Maddula wants to tackle. 

The youngster was intrigued by the cacophony surrounding him. The never-ending noise stirred his curiosity to find a solution, whether it was the clamour of traffic and ongoing construction work nearby, animals around, or the thunderous departure of planes. 

Fueled by the constant disturbances, he devoted himself to inventing a solution for the challenges posed by such man-made environmental challenges and was able to. He came up with the idea of ‘open-air active noise cancellation using artificial intelligence’.

Surya Maddula

When the teen was confident about the potential of the solution he developed after dedicated research, he filed a patent at The Patent Office, Government of India, and was granted the patent for an invention of ‘A noise cancellation system and a method to operate the same’.

 “Later, I applied at the India Book of Records,” Surya shares with Global Indian. He is glad to have earned their appreciation certificate and medal for getting a patent for his AI-powered solution to combat noise pollution at 15 years and 10 months.

 Apart from working on this burning issue, Surya has other achievements to his credit. He is engaged in an apprenticeship with a Professor from Columbia University and is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS), a teenage accelerator programme. He has also contributed to and received value from entrepreneurial skills development programmes conducted by Google, Y Combinator, and BITS Pilani – Dubai Campus, to name a few.

Addressing noise pollution

“I realise that Noise Pollution is a big problem that is putting millions of people at risk, and as a responsible citizen of my country, it is important to me to address this problem to change the lives of people in India for the better,” he says. Surya has leveraged the power of AI to find a solution. “One of many abilities of my solution is using AI to understand foreground and background noise and classify them to eliminate unwanted background noise.”

 With validation received as a Patent Certificate from The Patent Office, Government of India, the youngster is now working on the hardware.

“My hardware design is about using strategically placed sensors/sound level meters that send sound data to the Home Device, which processes noise using Cloud Computing. It puts out a sound wave with the amplitude inversed so that the sound waves cancel each other out as proved by destructive interference,” he says. “It will also help in emergency noise detection and intelligent noise sensory capabilities.”

Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru

Apprenticeship with Columbia University professor

Though noise pollution is his primary interest, the 12th-grade student is curious about many other applications of AI. Although Surya is still in school, he is working closely with Columbia University Professor Alejandro Zarate, and under the professor’s guidance, he is learning about Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and applying it for data extraction and customization of documents. “Document processing is a big business problem, and extracting the relevant data is key for organisational success.”

Talking about the opportunity to learn from a Columbia University professor while still in school, he remarks, “I reached out to him on LinkedIn because I had been following him on the platform, and he inspired me so much that I wanted to learn under his guidance. Through the tips and guidance given by my Directors at The Knowledge Society, I learned efficient networking, helping me get opportunities I never thought I’d get,” he adds.

He is working on a project under Professor Zarate’s guidance on Large Language Models (LLMs). “The opportunity to work under the professor has improved my professional skills, and has led me to understand how LLMs work is of utmost significance,” he says. “The Zoom calls, the brainstorming sessions, the WhatsApp chats, the guidance I get, and the entire scenario of working with such an experienced professional is so exciting. There is something to learn from every call with him and every message I get from him. I feel privileged and humbled that I was able to get this opportunity,” he remarks.

Association with The Knowledge Society

Surya is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS) – a group of highly ambitious youngsters who want to, ‘quite literally put a ding in the universe.’ “TKS alumni go to some of the best universities in the world. They have raised millions of dollars, launched successful companies, partnered with dozens of multi-billion-dollar companies, and spoken at events and conferences, creating an impact.” Surya believes in ‘getting value and adding value,’ which is why he loves being part of TKS. The organisation has changed his perspective towards giving back and boosted his confidence with some great speaking opportunities.

Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru

“I started with TKS as part of their ‘Innovate’ program in September 2022. Since then, I’ve worked on many projects while learning about new technologies.” As part of TKS activities, he has also had an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial bent of mind by working on problem statements and pitching solutions to problems to senior business executives of multi-billion-dollar companies who are partners of TKS.

 Apart from that, he has learned from case studies to prepare for real-life entrepreneurial situations and develop skills like networking, building relations, adapting to technologies, and thinking like a business leader or future entrepreneur. “It’s a life-changing programme,” remarks Surya.

 “The more effort and work you are willing to put in, the greater the outcome. That’s exactly how it was for me. You can’t even compare pre-TKS and post-TKS Surya,” he remarks.

 A business leader in the making

Surya aspires to have a career focusing on making life better for people around him and is enrolled in Google’s Student Entrepreneur Program. It’s a self-paced instructor-led program with coursework and lectures to prepare future entrepreneurs.

Surya Maddula pitching at BITS Pilani Dubai’s YEB

He also traveled to Dubai for the Young Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp (YEB) held at the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus. It was his first international flight alone after passing the selection process that comprised a written application with several questions.

 “My experience there was fantastic,” he says about the trip. “I was able to explore the city, understand it, and navigate the differences between Bengaluru and Dubai. I spent an entire day with one of my friends from TKS, and we explored the city together on the metro, the tram, and on foot from Al Karama to Atlantis. The city is magical. There’s a lot a person can learn from being in a foreign country.” Surya is grateful to everyone who made this trip happen, especially Dr. Ramachandran from the BITS Pilani – Dubai Campus.

While exploring different career options, after finishing university, he is determined to work around computer science and AI, irrespective of what he chooses to become.

Finding support in family, hobbies, and a good lifestyle

The youngster finds immense support in his family, and just by looking at his parents, he learns life lessons every day. “My dad is the best life coach, and my mom’s perspective on things is on par with how good her food is,” he says. Being always ready to face anything while keeping the environment at home peaceful, working hard, and not letting one part of one’s life affect the other are the qualities of his parents that he would like to learn.

Surya Maddula at Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru with Yuri Sebregts, CTO, Shell

The teenager loves swimming, sketching, and basketball and considers sleep integral to well-being. “Sleep is so underrated. I can feel myself getting recharged when I get a good night’s sleep,” he says.

He is an avid currency collector and has currency from across the globe – from Venezuela to the UAE to Uzbekistan to Hong Kong to Singapore. “I haven’t visited all these countries but got them by trading with other collectors,” he signs off.

• Follow Surya Maddula on LinkedIn