At ZAKA, we believe AI is not just about speed. It is about smart solutions that empower people to think, learn, and grow. That is why we were proud to cohost the Women in AI Hackathon with e& enterprise, in collaboration with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and Katonic AI.
Held at the e& enterprise Innovation Centre, the hackathon brought together talented Emirati women who had completed their AI training, giving them the opportunity to turn their learning into action. Each team was tasked with building impactful AI solutions using the Katonic AI platform, and the results were deeply inspiring.
#1: CodeCracker by Maryam Al Sabaa and Lina Benna
While many are using AI to boost productivity, Maryam and Lina took a bold and thoughtful direction. They built AI to make students smarter, not just faster.
Their project CodeCracker tackled a real issue facing today’s learners:
- Over reliance on AI code completion tools
- Decline in deep problem solving and creativity
- Surface level understanding replacing true comprehension
CodeCracker guides students through critical thinking without giving away the answers. It helps break down complex coding tasks into smaller, digestible parts. It encourages independent learning, creativity, and problem solving. In a world where AI often gives you the what, CodeCracker is all about teaching the how.
This is exactly the kind of impact we strive for at ZAKA. Using AI to support human potential does not replace it.
#2: Start Smart AI by Fatima Alshamsi and Amal Almenhali
The runner up team tackled an equally important challenge. Repositioning youth as job creators instead of job seekers.
Their solution Start Smart AI is an AI powered assistant built to support early stage startup founders through every step of their entrepreneurial journey. From crafting a pitch to building a go to market strategy, the tool delivers personalized and contextual advice tailored to the founder’s stage, sector, and needs.
Key features include
- Real time expert guidance powered by GPT 4 and startup specific prompts
- Embedded resources like the Dubai Startup Guide
- Actionable advice delivered in conversational form
- Integration with e&’s ConnectAI ecosystem for added support
Start Smart AI is more than just a tool. It is a scalable mentorship platform that bridges the gap between ideas and implementation. It empowers young entrepreneurs to launch with confidence.
Innovation Beyond the Winners
Participants built a range of standout projects using Katonic AI including
- Bilingual AI chatbots for parents of autistic children
- Tools to help parents explore UAE schools
- Startup copilots
- Smart assistants for education and infrastructure
The hackathon culminated in final pitches to a panel of expert judges followed by recognition of two winning teams for their creativity, technical execution and real world impact.
A Celebration of Talent Diversity and Purpose
This event was not just about coding. It was about celebrating women in tech, amplifying local innovation and giving our AI graduates a platform to shine. Together with our partners we are committed to advancing diversity in AI and shaping a future led by purpose driven innovators.
👏 Congratulations to all the participants and especially to our winners for their outstanding contributions. Your work reflects what the future of AI should look like human centered inclusive and empowering
🎥 Stay tuned for the upcoming video recap showcasing the projects energy and creativity that lit up the Innovation Centre.
Watch how Emirati women turned their AI training into real-world impact at the Women in AI Hackathon, hosted at the e& Innovation Centre.
