startAD AI for Good Sandbox
Innovating for Health. Empowering Communities.
startAD AI for Good Sandbox, supported by Google.org, is a 4-week AI Builder Challenge where teams develop open-source AI solutions to improve health and well-being for vulnerable communities in the UAE and KSA.
15 finalists will pitch their innovations, compete for cash prizes, and connect with industry leaders. The day also features the panel “Growing up with AI: The Future of Mental Health of Children & Youth.”
Join us on November 15, 2025, at 42 Abu Dhabi for the AI for Good Sandbox Pitch Day, where innovation meets purpose.
AI for Good Sandbox Pitch Day
From nearly 1,000 applications across the region, over 60 teams embarked on a four-week journey of innovation and co-creation, tackling 18 real-world challenges identified by five partner organizations. Through mentorship, technical guidance, and collaboration, participants developed open-source AI solutions advancing health and well-being (SDG 3).
The journey culminates in the AI for Good Sandbox Pitch Day, where 15 finalist teams from across MENA present their pioneering AI solutions designed to create lasting social impact.
What to expect…
Pitch Competition
Out of 15 Teams Pitching, Top 3 Winners awarded Cash Prize Upto $15,000
Abu Dhabi Youth
Challenge Winner
Awarding of Cash Prize $4,000
sponsored by Early Childhood Authority
Panel Discussion
Growing up with AI: The Future of Mental Health for Children and Youth.
Networking and Sandbox
Closing Ceremony
TRACK
SPONSOR
PANEL KNOWLEDGE
PARTNER
VENUE
PARTNER
Our Partners and Challenge Statements
The AI for Good Sandbox brought together mission-driven organizations and innovators to address 18 real-world challenges aligned with SDG 3, Good Health & Well-being.
Each challenge statement was co-created with a partner organization committed to driving positive change.
- Empowering Emirati Youth in Life Planning, Family Formation & Financial Readiness
- Homegrown Health Heroes
- The Smart School for Healthy Habits
- Optimizing Assessment-to-Treatment Workflows for Better Rehabilitation Outcomes
- Easing Parent Engagement in Pediatric Home Therapy Programs
- AI-Powered MS Companion for Independence, Motivation, and Personalized Self-Management
- AI-Powered Support for Screening, Reviewing & Ensuring Compliance in Research Grant Applications
- AI for Early Detection & Support in Riyadh Schools
- Improving Analysis of Helpline and Support Service Feedback for Faster System Adaptation
- PathFinder: AI-Powered Career and Academic Guidance for Remote Emirati Youth
- MindForward: Culturally Sensitive AI Support for Youth Mental Well-Being and Job-Seeking Resilience
Program Partners
startAD experts will be present in Al Warsha during a two-hour timeslot to help you experiment with prototyping and turn your idea into something tangible
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