EU Delegation to the UAE and Dubai AI Campus Launch Women-Only AI Ideathon on Water Sustainability

EU Delegation to the UAE and Dubai AI Campus Launch Women-Only AI Ideathon on Water Sustainability

Bringing together female-led teams of university students from across the UAE

The Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Dubai AI Campus at DIFC Innovation Hub, organised a unique women-only Ideathon on 15 September 2025 under the theme "Women Shaping AI for Water."

Bringing together female-led teams of university students from across the UAE, the Ideathon challenged participants to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence to address urgent global and local water sustainability issues.

As part of the EU's #WaterWiseEU campaign, the competition encouraged students to design innovative AI-powered solutions tackling water conservation, purification, sustainable management, accessibility, and transportation.

In her opening remarks, EU Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Lucie Berger, said:

"This Ideathon ensures that women are at the forefront of AI, helping to build sustainable futures that serve all. And it is not just about technology, it is about empowering the next generation of innovators, the young women leaders of tomorrow.

By focusing on female-led teams, we are actively working to break down barriers in sectors where women are still underrepresented, while showcasing the UAE and EU's shared commitment to sustainability and gender equality."

The half-day event featured a design thinking workshop, team ideation sessions, and a rapid-fire pitching round before a jury of industry experts, academics, and representatives of European companies.

Winning ideas will be highlighted in a forthcoming report, showcasing the potential of AI-driven innovation to strengthen global water resilience and sustainability.

This initiative is one of many by the EU Delegation to the UAE aimed at empowering women and youth in the UAE, while building connections through knowledge-sharing and innovation.