In a world where artificial intelligence is transforming fields such as education, healthcare, and support for vulnerable populations, initiatives like OdiseIA4Good aim to steer technological development toward real-world problems and solutions that have a social impact.
The second edition of the OdiseIA4Good International Hackathon was held in Madrid with the goal of putting artificial intelligence to work for vulnerable communities. In this context, Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV) strengthened its presence with seven projects presented by various schools and departments, two award-winning initiatives, and institutional participation in the signing of the OdiseIA Call to Action.
UFV's participation has grown this year
UFV has increased its participation compared to last year. This year, it submitted seven projects, compared to the three it submitted in 2025, and once again ranked as the institution with the most entries in the hackathon in both rounds.
The projects have emerged from various departments within the University. The Faculty of Education and Psychology has presented RISE IT; the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government, Young Academy; the UFV Entrepreneurship Center, Talentum Gaudium; and the Higher Polytechnic School, EquiJob, Desperdicio Zero, Ariadna, and GoMad.
Two projects linked to the UFV have received awards
Among the awards received by the University, RISE IT took sixth place in the hackathon. Alejandra Saavedra Boss, a fifth-year student in the dual Bachelor's Degree Psychology and Criminology, participated in this project with a platform designed to help schools detect signs of depression and anxiety in students through non-invasive tools and with the option of professional follow-up.
Young Academy was also recognized, winning ninth place. The initiative was developed by Alicia Peña de la Puente, a fifth-year student in the Double Bachelor's Degree Advertising and Marketing, and proposes a platform to support families with daughters aged 12 to 16 in building a healthy relationship with self-care, cosmetics, and personal image.
In total, 118 projects were submitted and 10 awards were presented, two of which went to proposals linked to the University.
Seven socially focused initiatives
The UFV's participation has highlighted a variety of approaches to the application of artificial intelligence. Talentum Gaudium has worked to provide support aimed at improving the mood of children undergoing long-term hospitalization, such as cancer patients.
EquiJob was designed as a two-way recruitment platform to connect companies with talent from vulnerable communities. Zero Waste has proposed optimizing food distribution at soup kitchens and providing support to diners facing food insecurity.
For its part, Ariadna has developed an assistant capable of detecting inactivity or sadness in a person’s voice and suggesting conversations to keep the mind active and maintain a positive mood. GoMad has designed a platform for delivering food and essential goods to seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited mobility.
Taken together, these proposals reflect the hackathon’s focus on promoting useful solutions for older adults, patients, people with disabilities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups. The 2026 edition saw the participation of more than 100 teams from five continents, and the organizers describe it as a leading international platform for innovation in artificial intelligence with a social purpose.
Institutional Participation in the OdiseIA Call
The UFV’s involvement has not been limited to the competition. Vicente Noguerales represented the University at the signing of the OdiseIA Appeal, a manifesto endorsed this year under the leadership of CRUE Universidades Españolas that calls for accessible and sustainable funding models for artificial intelligence projects aimed at the common good and places ethical considerations at the heart of their development.
This event underscored the academic focus of this year’s conference, which brought together academic institutions, government agencies, and social organizations around a shared vision: that artificial intelligence must be developed with a commitment to responsibility, social utility, and care for the most vulnerable. The closing ceremony also drew nearly 300 attendees from the institutional, academic, business, and social sectors.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Impactful Education
Participation in OdiseIA4Good aligns with an initiative that UFV has already been promoting in the field of entrepreneurship and applied innovation. In the previous edition of the hackathon, the university highlighted the value of these experiences in enabling students to apply classroom knowledge, develop transferable skills, and tackle real-world challenges with a focus on the common good.
"In fact, 'initiatives like this spark students' entrepreneurial spirit and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among faculties—a particularly important factor in a field like artificial intelligence, which increasingly requires dialogue among experts in technology, the social sciences, education, and the humanities,' explained Vicente Noguerales."
A Commitment to Purpose-Driven AI
Through this participation, UFV is consolidating its presence at OdiseIA4Good as a platform where education, innovation, and service to society go hand in hand. The seven projects presented and the awards received reflect an approach to artificial intelligence that views it not as an end in itself, but as a tool to address specific needs and serve specific people.
