AI & Data Science for Good Hackathon - Winter 2026

In collaboration with Reception House Waterloo Region, the Future of Work Institute, and generously supported by MCIS Language Solutions, the Waterloo Data & Artificial Intelligence Institute (Waterloo.AI) — with additional support from Wat.AI and UWDSC — is hosting a one-day AI & Data Science for Good Hackathon focused on designing AI-powered, oral-first language learning tools for refugees and newcomers who rely primarily on spoken rather than written language.

Many refugees and newcomers with limited literacy face significant barriers when accessing traditional English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. These programs are often not designed for non-literate learners, and in the Waterloo Region, waitlists can exceed one year. As a result, newcomers frequently struggle to build the foundational English skills needed for daily life, confidence building, and early employment.

This hackathon challenges students to create accessible, audio-driven English learning solutions that prioritize listening and speaking, cultural relevance, and real-world usability.

Join us to apply your AI and data science skills to a meaningful, community-driven challenge — and help build solutions that create real impact!

• Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
• Time: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
• Location: E7 Ideas Clinic (Pearl Sullivan Building)

Teams will develop prototype AI-powered language learning tools for newcomers, focusing on Rohingya refugees and women with caregiving responsibilities. Prototypes should:

• Support everyday and job-specific English for low- or no-literacy learners

• Build confidence and early employment readiness

• Prioritize oral-language interaction (audio/video over text)

• Be culturally sensitive and ethically inclusive

• One-day, in-person hackathon 
• Team-based collaboration 
• Open-ended solution design 
• Judging criteria: 
  • Usability & accessibility 
  • Relevance to community needs 
  • Feasibility & clarity of concept 
  • Social impact & ethical awareness

This hackathon is more than a technical challenge — it is a call to action to advance language justice, equity, and inclusion through responsible and human-centered AI. Participants will collaborate with community partners to co-create tools that uphold dignity, accessibility, and opportunity for newcomers building new lives in Canada. 

This hackathon is open only to University of Waterloo students from all faculties and disciplines. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. No prior hackathon experience is required.

Registration deadline: Monday, March 9th, 2026 (or until capacity is reached)
Capacity: Limited (max. ~150 participants / 30 teams)
Cost: Free

Team formation details will be shared with registrants shortly.

To stay connected with future opportunities and updates from Waterloo.AI, we recommend subscribing to our undergraduate or graduate mailing list: Join Waterloo.AI Mailing List

For more information or questions, please contact the event organizer, Jacob Witmer, Waterloo.AI Admin, at jacob.witmer@uwaterloo.ca.

We extend our sincere thanks to our event organizers and supporters for their partnership and generous support in making this hackathon possible.