As part of its pioneering efforts to enhance inclusive innovation, The US Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Economic Governance Activity, is proud to partner with Vodafone Egypt, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Plug and Play Egypt, and the ATAA Charitable Investment Fund, in launching the second edition of ” Vodafone’s AI Assistive Tools Hackathon”.
This hackathon brings together young innovators, developers, and technology enthusiasts from all over Egypt to leverage technological innovation to help create inclusive, safe, and efficient workplaces for everyone, especially persons with disabilities.
Over three days, from May 30 to June 1, 2024, around 100 Egyptian participants will develop technological solutions that alleviate the obstacles facing persons with disabilities in the work environment, implementing 6 teams from different governorates (Menoufia, Assiut, Luxor, Alexandria, Suhag, Qalyoubia and Ismailia).
Under the guidance of experts from USAID, Vodafone Egypt, and Plug and Play, participants will work collaboratively to create prototypes that leverage the power of artificial intelligence to complement human capabilities and facilitate access to technology for persons with disabilities.
This competition will provide an outstanding opportunity for participants. The winning team will receive a grant of 600,000 Egyptian Pounds from Vodafone Egypt and the ATAA Charitable Investment Fund to help them transform their winning idea into a startup. They will also receive incubation training from Plug and Play Egypt. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams will receive incubation training and access to technological tools to continue developing their solutions.
In his address to the audience, Sean Jones, the Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Egypt, expressed his pride in partnering with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Vodafone Egypt, ATAA Fund, and Plug & Play.
He emphasized that disability is not a limitation but rather one dimension of diversity that enriches our collective experience. Events like this hackathon provide a platform for collaboration, creativity, and collective problem-solving, reminding us that innovation knows no bounds.
Jones further affirmed that by working together across different sectors, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. He underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in driving innovations and solutions to empower people with disabilities.
The ultimate goal is to create lasting change that transcends borders, cultures, and generations, building a society where inclusion is not an afterthought but a fundamental principle woven into every aspect of our lives. He also highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector to promote a shared culture of comprehensive innovation.
At the beginning of his speech, Catalin Buliga, Technology Director at Vodafone, expressed his delight in announcing the launch of the Second Edition of the Vodafone AI Assistive Tools Hackathon. He also acknowledged his gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Ataa Fund and Plug & Play for their valuable partnership in this event.
He further discussed the role of technology in providing comprehensive digital services to customers, improving the quality of life for millions of people, reducing inequality, and encouraging innovation.
This competition is not just about winning prizes but also about creating innovative, practical, and scalable solutions that make a real difference in the lives of persons with disabilities and can transform workplaces in Egypt. The ” Vodafone’s AI Assistive Tools Hackathon” is a significant step towards achieving the Egyptian vision of providing a more inclusive and accessible digital environment for all by empowering persons with disabilities through technology-based solutions.
This competition contributes to the USAID Economic Governance Activity’s overall objective of improving Egypt’s investment climate. Funded by USAID as part of the bilateral agreement between the Government of Egypt and the United States, the project supports the investment climate in Egypt by strengthening economic governance reform, improving the capacity of public institutions, and developing and implementing new models for service delivery in line with Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2030, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2023-2030, and administrative reform vision in Egypt.
By supporting the Government of Egypt in adopting more inclusive and efficient tools that meet the needs and priorities of citizens and the private sector, the project contributes to a positive investment climate in Egypt.
