UCD Innovation Academy hosted a ‘UCD Creative Hackathon’, bringing together 70 students from across disciplines to explore a timely question: Can AI help to foster human connection at UCD?
The event was generously sponsored by UCD Innovation Academy’s industry partner EXL, a global leader in data analytics and digital operations, who contributed €2,100 in prizes alongside their expertise and encouragement on the night.
Opening Insights from EXL
The Hackathon kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Sanjay Dutt, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at EXL, who shared the company’s success since expanding its operations to Dublin in October 2023. He emphasized EXL’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in Ireland, highlighting that many of the company’s global leaders have trained with UCD Innovation Academy.
“At EXL, we don’t just look at qualifications—we value that innovation spark, that mindset that sets you apart. That’s what truly stands out in a global AI company,” he told students, encouraging them to embrace creativity and problem-solving.
From Pitch to Prototype
The evening’s challenge invited students to pitch problems related to AI and human connection at UCD that they wished to solve. After twelve compelling pitches, twelve teams were formed around the most popular ideas. Over the next few hours, students engaged in ideation, prototyping, and refining their solutions.
The final presentations took the form of a one-minute video advertisement on their solution, showcasing each team’s vision with creativity and humour.
The Winning Ideas
Judges assessed teams based on novelty, market readiness, and presentation. After much deliberation, the judging panel comprising of Donal McCarthy, Global Solutions and IP Centre of Excellence Leader at EXL, Eleanor Kelly, Head of Strategy and Partnerships at UCD Innovation Academy, and Fiona Martin, Facilitation Specialist at UCD Innovation Academy, announced the winners:
🥉 Bronze: UCD Bridge – An AI platform designed to enhance collaboration amongst students across languages at UCD.
🥈 Silver: Chat UCD – an AI chatbot with all UCD Educational resources in one place.
🥇 Gold: UCD Conn<3ct —an AI-powered dating platform designed to help students build meaningful connections on their own terms.
Gold Winning Team: Blessed Rita Fonkoh, Tara Ava Angeline, Ghofran Abourayana, Hetha Putane, Rasbah Anwar, and Lina Chen.
“What I admire about UCD Innovation Academy is that they truly drive the creativity out of people, and we can see that here tonight. You should all be really proud of what you have delivered and achieved with such creativity, humour, and outside-the-box thinking—it’s incredible in such a short time.”
Many thanks to our Hackathon facilitators Jiaqi Zhang, Fiona Martin, and Gwen Kenny from UCD Innovation Academy, for creating an energizing and supportive space for innovation.
With EXL’s continued commitment to fostering talent in Ireland, and UCD Innovation Academy’s dedication to experiential learning, this event showcased how AI can inspire new ways to enhance human connection—both on campus and beyond.
“I had a great experience, it’s my second one at the Innovation Academy and right from the question it was just such a fun experience. We got to meet new people, eat great food and solve problems that all of us had.”
Blessed Fonkoh, Gold Winner
“I had so much fun throwing ideas at the wall and pitching ideas with my new teammates and it was just so much fun! Super proud of what we’ve achieved! I would also like to thank Gwen Kenny who gave us that extra push to step out of our comfort zone with our idea, and the team & EXL for making this experience possible.”
Tara Ava Angeline, Gold Winner
Undergrads – Keep up to date with undergraduate events and opportunities by registering your interest here