Democratizing Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Societal Impact
Tech / Artificial Intelligence Solution
Presented by
Sponsored by
Open Innovation Partner
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This challenge is tied to the united nations’ sustainable development goals:
The development of your solution must take into consideration at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Background
As AI continues to transform our society, many communities and social organizations remain on the margins of this technological revolution. Barriers include lack of technical expertise, high costs, and difficulty adapting AI solutions to specific local needs.
Key issues:
- Growing digital divide between organizations with access to AI and those excluded.
- Lack of AI solutions adapted to the needs of community and social organizations.
- Concerns about algorithmic bias and fairness of AI systems.
- Difficulty in measuring and maximizing the social impact of AI solutions.
- Need to develop economically viable AI solutions for non-profit organizations.
Challenge as part of Cooperathon 2025
How can we develop Tech or AI solutions that meet the real needs of local communities while ensuring their accessibility, transparency and positive societal impact?
Goals
- Democratization: Creation of tech or AI tools accessible to organizations with limited budgets.
- Societal impact: Solutions that meet concrete community needs.
- Inclusive innovation: Participatory development involving target communities.
Stakeholders & Target Audiences
- Private companies (small, medium and large):
- Commercial organizations looking to integrate AI into their processes to generate positive impact, whether through their products, services or operations.
- Community and social organizations:
- Non-profit or cooperative structures seeking to solve social challenges and exploit the opportunities offered by AI to strengthen their efficiency and impact.
- Developers and AI experts:
- Artificial intelligence professionals and researchers wishing to apply their skills to create solutions with measurable social impact.
- Tech startups focused on social innovation:
- Young companies combining advanced technologies and innovative business models to meet social, environmental or economic needs.
- Public institutions and social service organizations:
- Public actors (municipalities, government agencies, hospitals, schools, etc.) using AI to improve the quality and accessibility of services offered to the population.
- Marginalized or underrepresented communities in AI development:
- Groups that have historically had limited access to technologies or have been poorly represented in the design and use of AI tools, but whose specific needs could be addressed by targeted solutions.
Scope & Constraints
- Focus: Accessible and low-cost AI solutions.
- Solution Stage: From working prototype to deployable proof of concept.
- Geographic Focus: Canada, with possibility of international extension.
Prize(s)
- 1st Prize: $5,000 (minimum)
Solution scope
- Accessibility: Cost per user, ease of use for non-experts
- Societal impact: Number of beneficiaries reached, quantifiable improvement in services
- Innovation: Originality of the solution, scalability potential
- Feasibility: Realistic deployment plan, economic viability
Confidentiality
All details relating to technologies, innovations or methods submitted to Cooperathon will remain strictly confidential, unless otherwise indicated.