Build a Bridge Program and Competition

How can AI be used to solve immigrant integration challenges?

Build a Bridge is a six-week initiative designed to inspire and empower students to identify challenges in migrant integration and develop innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to address them. This initiative is hosted by the CERC in Migration and Integration and the Bridging Divides programs at TMU. Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) sponsors the competition award.

Build a Bridge's primary goals are to:

1. Promote understanding of immigration integration issues: Students will explore and gain a deep understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants integrating into new communitie.
2. Support high technologies that can address immigrant issues: Participants will design an AI technology to develop creative and practical solutions for the identified problems.
3. Help students build their entrepreneurial skills: Through a series of workshops and roundtable discussions, students will receive expert guidance and dedicated support in three critical areas: immigration studies, AI engineering, and product/business development.

Program structure

Workshops and roundtables: Students will engage in four workshops and one roundtable discussion over the six weeks. These sessions are designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop their AI solutions.

Mentorship: Teams will have access to weekly meetings with program mentors, who will offer tailored advice and feedback in their respective fields.

Educational resources: All workshop recordings and additional learning materials will be made available through the Bridging Divides learning management system platform, ensuring teams have the resources they need to succeed.