From classroom to coding: SA teen builds AI diffusion model while achieving academic excellence

Trinityhouse student Tristan Jay Neale is a remarkable example of tenacity and ingenuity, having received six distinctions during a challenging academic year.

"The first half of the year was very draining," he says, reflecting on his experience. I've always dreaded assignments. Once I reached exams, it got a lot better because I felt more in control of my life and how each day was spent.”

It was during the exam period that he found a sense of control, allowing him to channel his efforts into a remarkable educational outcome.

Tristan's trajectory is further enhanced by a noteworthy project: a self-built diffusion model, despite his great academic accomplishments. This sophisticated form of artificial intelligence, which uses calculus to create visuals, has not only demonstrated his proficiency in technology but also solidified his aspirations for the future.

“My biggest highlight of the year was building my own diffusion model (Artificial Intelligence that uses calculus to generate images,” he added.

Tristan intends to focus on computer science at the University of Pretoria and specialise in machine learning. His ultimate goal? To become an AI Safety Engineer at respected firms such as Anthropic or Nvidia.

Beneath his commendable academic results lies a story of perseverance. Tristan has opened up about family and personal difficulties he encountered while attending school, which were made worse by the pandemic.

"My results don't reflect the difficulty I faced. School as an isolated environment was okay, but COVID, personal and family catastrophes made surviving it very hard."

As a symbol of inspiration for the Class of 2026, Tristan offers heartfelt advice rooted in his own experience: the tangible freedom that arises from hard work.

"The hard work pays off because it lets you choose how to live the rest of your life instead of picking up after your mistakes for the rest of your life.” His words ring true as he recounts the successes that have followed his finals, including lucrative job offers, the development of successful applications, and significant reported security exploits.

The Star