AI for Accessibility

In teams of 2-4, show us how Artificial Intelligence can be used to create a more accessible world.

chevron_leftMore
Previous
Morechevron_right
Next

Challenge Details 

Challenge Steps

 

STEP 1: REGISTRATION & IDEATION: THINK IT  

November 24, 2022 – January 29, 2023  

Create or join a team consisting of 2-4 students. First, each team needs to present their idea and clearly describe their concept in a 5-7-slide PDF presentation (you can use the presentation template available on the platform). Teams can also submit any other documents illustrating their idea if they wish to do so. All ideas must be new and never presented before, it is your job to be innovative and bring a fresh idea to the table.  

Each team must upload their deliverables to their participation space before 11:59PM (EST) on January 29, 2023! Submissions must be made in English.   

The voting stage will take place on January 30-31. Up to 25 teams will be selected to move on to the second round. The selected teams will be notified on the evening of February 1, 2023.  

  

STEP 2: DEVELOPMENT: CREATE IT  

February 1 – March 5, 2023  

The 25 best teams will move on to the second round. During the development stage, your team will refine your solution and create a prototype or wireframes. Your team will also be connected with a mentor who will support you in developing your idea. 

The deliverables for this stage include a 3-5-minute video explaining and demonstrating your prototype and its functionalities as well as a 10-20-slide PDF presentation outlining the project and its potential impact. All submissions must be in English and uploaded to the platform by 11:59PM (EST) on March 5, 2023. 

The voting stage will take place between March 6-7, 2023. Up to five teams will be selected to participate in the finals. The finalist teams will be notified on the evening of March 8, 2023.  


STEP 3: THE FINAL PITCH: WIN IT  

March 24, 2023 

Between March 8-24, you will have time to finalize your solution/prototype and prepare a ten-minute presentation (including a short prototype demonstration). The five teams of finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to the jury at a live hybrid event on March 24, 2023. The teams will have the chance to win up to $8,000 cash!

 

Challenge Resources

 
The following resources may help your team with the challenge:
 

Evaluation Criteria  

 
ORIGINALITY & INNOVATION- 25%  
Does the project offer an original, innovative approach to addressing the selected problem? Is the project ambitious or creative within the constraints of the challenge timeline? Is this a new idea or has the team used this idea in the past?  
 
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE - 25%  
Does your team make effective and appropriate use of the main features of the selected Microsoft tools and technologies? Does the team effectively communicate how AI technology is used to solve the chosen challenge?  
 
TEAM DIVERSITY & COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS - 25%  
Does your team reflect diversity? Does your team have a complementary skill set that enables you to tackle the different aspects of your project?  
 
IMPACT & FEASIBILITY - 25%  
Does the project address a clear need, problem, or opportunity? Does the project fit the problem it addresses? Does the team have a credible plan for implementing their proposed solution and does the solution have a good product/market fit?  

 

 

Eligibility/Rules  

 
  • Must be a Canadian post-secondary student (including abroad) or an international student in a Canadian post-secondary school  
  • Teams must be 2-4 people  
  • Team members must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary school  
  • Note: we will require documentation of the above to process any prizing 
  • Must be a new idea and not used in previous pitch events, school projects, grant proposals, etc.  
 
 

Prizes

 
  • $2,000 each for first place ($8,000 total)
  • $1,250 each for second place ($5,000 total)
  • $750 each for third place ($3,000 total)