February 2025 saw the culmination of the First International AI Hackathon for Vulnerable Groups, organised by OdiseIA, an organisation I have been part of for five years. I participated as a mentor, supporting several teams during the different phases of the event: three weeks of online preparation and three days of face-to-face work in Madrid (25-27 February). These are my main reflections:

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01 | The organisational effort

 

Organising an event of this magnitude was a huge logistical and human challenge. Although I was not part of the central organisation, I was able to observe the work, dedication and ability to react to unforeseen events up close. The result was a resounding success for OdiseIA.

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02 | The appeal of responsible AI

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The high turnout, even with people travelling from outside Madrid or connecting from faraway places such as Sri Lanka, shows the growing interest in ethical AI with social applications. That enthusiasm is encouraging.

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03 | Real social impact

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Many projects proved to be viable and scalable. Mentoring initiatives such as that of the Complutense University (AI for water analysis in Ethiopia) or the winning plugin (which translates websites into simple language and easy reading to improve accessibility) allowed me to see their immediate potential for implementation.

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04 | Motivation and talent

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The event was buzzing with enthusiasm and creativity. Seeing such committed students and professionals reminded me that talent is the fusion of knowledge, ability and willpower, and there was plenty of that on display here.

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05 | Networking and people

 

Beyond the professional opportunities, what was most valuable was the pleasure of talking to and learning from motivated and interesting people. Although my role limited the time available, I came away with new contacts and future conversations.

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06 | Promising youth

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The generational diversity enriched the event, but the youth stood out: motivated, hard-working and brilliant students who reinforce my confidence that the future is in good hands.

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07 | The experience

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Beyond the results, the hackathon was a great shared experience. Even teams formed at the last minute enjoyed themselves and learned, showing that the experience is as valuable as the final product.

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08 | The future

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The best part: this won't be the last edition. OdiseIA has already confirmed that there will be a second International AI Hackathon for Vulnerable Groups. You can read the full reflection here (Spanish).