( CNN ) -- Can a photo competition change the world ? Probably not , but when paired with the brainpower of IBM and the problem-solving capabilities of the world 's most advanced artificially intelligent computer systems , it might just stand a chance . Last November , IBM opened its 12th global research lab -- and first on the African continent -- in Nairobi , Kenya . Though the lab employs 25 PhDs from the world 's best universities , as well as Watson -- the AI supercomputer that won Jeopardy against human competitors in 2011 -- the company recognized that in order to truly shape innovation in the continent , it had to first hear from the people who live there . `` If we 're going to solve the grand challenges of Africa it has to start here in Africa with us identifying and underscoring what they are , '' says Erik Hersman , founder of Nairobi 's iHub tech hub and CEO of BRCK , and one of the four photo contest judges . To better understand what areas to invest in , IBM launched its The World is Our Lab photo competition , which invited anyone with a camera ( or mobile phone ) to contribute images that highlight the continent 's grand challenges , city systems and examples of innovation . After three months ( and 1,200 submissions ) , they chose a winner in each of those three categories . The competition even succeeded in offering the judges a few surprises . `` I saw places in Nigeria I did n't even imagine existed , '' says Kenyan Mutua Matheka , official photographer for The World is Our Lab project and another judge in the competition . `` The winners each shared an Africa that most of us did n't know or did n't have access to . '' Kenyan TV producer Frank Odwesso won in the City System category with his image of a woman on the back of a `` boda boda , '' or bicycle taxi . The judges felt the picture demonstrated how locals in Western Kenya and Nyanza circumvent an unreliable public transport system to create a more efficient means of getting around . Mainly , though , it was the strength of the image that they were drawn to . `` It had the most vibrant colors , and it really summed up Africa to me , '' admits Matheka . See the best photos from the competition here . Imole `` Tobbie '' Balogun won the Grand Challenges category with `` Baby Sitting , '' which highlights the very adult responsibilities imposed on many of Nigeria 's children -- either because poverty forces them into jumpstarting their working lives , or because they have to assume the role of caretaker for their siblings . Visual artist Lawrence `` Shabu '' Mwangi won the Innovation category , and the competition overall , with `` Digital Migration , '' a shot he took of children playing with scrap in Nairobi 's Mukuru slum . `` We have these big dumping sites in Mukuru , and though we try to prevent the kids going to them , they find a way and use the scrap to play with , '' says Mwangi , who also grew up in the area . `` These kids were playing a role in the television . None of them have a TV at home , but here they had a chance to be reporters -- they could be anything they wanted to be within that television . I just wanted to capture the happiness in that moment , '' he adds . See more from Inside Africa . The competition is part of IBM 's $ 100 million Project Lucy initiative , which will employ Watson and other cognitive computing technologies to advance development and create business opportunities in Africa over the next 10 years . Matheka , a former architect and one of the continent 's most respected photographers , says the competition has also shown him how photography has grown in Africa . `` I feel like a lot of African photographers have observed how those in Europe and the U.S. have photographed in Africa , and many us still use that as a template of how Africa should be captured . I think we 're starting to get out of that now , '' he says . `` I think photography is starting to feel more approachable , to include the African public and focus on the textures and people of Africa . We 're starting to tell stories for Africans . It 's important , because our stories matter , and we need to hear them and to see our heroes so that we can know what is possible . ''
The photo competition looked at Africa 's challenges and opportunities . 1,200 photographers captured everyday Africa . IBM will use the competition to help generate ideas to spur development in Africa .