​​Nepali Youth Create AI Tool Through Hackathon to Help People With Disabilities

Kathmandu: Nepal has completed its first national-level Artificial Intelligence (AI) hackathon aimed at supporting people with disabilities. The event, titled Sunflower Spectrum Presents AIDA 2025, was organized by Pratik Innovations and supported by RxPIN’s Sunflower Spectrum. The goal was to promote inclusive innovation.

In the grand finale held on November 15, the ‘Think AI’ group won first place and received Rs 50,000. ‘Mission Chaurasi’ secured the first runner-up position with Rs 30,000, while ‘Access Code’ became the second runner-up with Rs 20,000. ‘Team Synaptic’ won the ‘Best Innovation Award’ for its assistant AI solution.

According to the organizers, seven groups made it to the finals. They were selected from more than 30 applications submitted from across the country based on their ideas, technical skills, and long-term plans. Inclusivity was a key part of the event. Four people with disabilities participated directly, and about 40 percent of the participants were women.

The finalists spent 36 hours in residential accommodation at Sunway College to build their prototypes. They worked in four main categories: smart mobility and communication, AI for autism, digital caregiver systems, and educational technology for people with hearing and speech impairments. Some of these projects were also showcased at the ‘ICT Awards 2025 Startup and Ideafest’.

The jury panel included Sarita Khadka of Kathmandu University School of Education, Vikas Nahata, Director of One Point, Manoj Shakya, Head of KU’s AI Department, Ankur Sharma, Director of Leapfrog, and Dhruv Adhikari, Founder of RxPIN. They judged the teams based on educational impact, technical feasibility, user experience, and real-life usability.

In the ‘Assistant AI for Autism’ category, Team Synaptic and Mission Chaurasi will support AAC devices and learning.

Dhruv Adhikari, Founder of RxPIN, said the main aim of the program is to instill empathy and innovation in young people. “We believe this program has initiated a positive change, even if small,” he said.

Program Director Jatin Bhusal said AIDA will continue annually. Sunflower Spectrum has also begun preparations to host Nepal’s first international conference on ‘AI for People With Disabilities’ in 2026.

According to the organizers, the top 16 groups from the initial phase will now enter an incubation process. They will receive mentorship and investment opportunities.

 

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: मंसिर ११, २०८२ १६:५३

टिप्पणीहरू