Led by TUM Think Tank and co-organized together with AI Grid, StellDirVor, Women in AI, XR HUB Nürnberg, The Safe Zone and Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence – TUM, the hackathon became a place where academia, industry, and policy not only exchanged ideas but worked jointly on tangible innovations.
For AI Grid, it was especially inspiring to see 14 of our members contribute their expertise, learn from one another, and develop ideas at the intersection of XR und KI . Events like this vividly demonstrate what defines our community: interdisciplinary exchange, genuine collaboration, and the drive to advance future technologies responsibly.
Day 1: Kick-off & Team Formation
The hackathon began with a hybrid kick-off session in which the challenges were introduced and teams formed to begin developing their first project ideas. The event focused on three topic areas, each with two concrete challenges that provided participants with clear guidance for their concepts:
Topic 1: AI in Immersive Environments
- Challenge 1: Adaptive, cross-device training environments
- Challenge 2: Responsible-by-default emotion recognition
Topic 2: Social Agents in Immersive Worlds
- Challenge 1: Private-by-design self-representation
- Challenge 2: Ethical multi-agent “village”
Topic 3: Gamification in AR
- Challenge 1: AR safety coach for high-risk work environments
- Challenge 2: Everyday AR for behavior change & inclusion
Workshops on affective computing and XR provided participants with practical insights into how emotional intelligence can be responsibly integrated into immersive technologies. From the very beginning, our AI Grid members contributed with great commitment, creativity, and team spirit.
Day 2: Prototyping & Iteration
On the second day, teams worked intensively on their prototypes, tested concepts, and integrated feedback from mentors. The hybrid setup enabled effective collaboration both on-site and online via Zoom and Discord.
Our AI Grid members were represented across all three topic areas—from ethically designed agent villages and adaptive XR learning environments to AR solutions promoting inclusion and generating social value.
Day 3: Final Builds, Pitches & Awards
On Saturday, teams submitted their final projects and presented them to a jury of experts in XR, AI, ethics, and innovation. Our project lead, Laure Poirson, was also part of the jury and was particularly delighted that several teams with AI Grid members received awards:
Overall Winner – “Aura”
An XR application supporting individuals with communication disorders.
AI Grid members: Ashwin Nedungadi & Noman Arshad
Best Technical – „PigeonTown“
A mixed-reality “village” where learners can practice cultural scenarios with embodied AI agents.
AI Grid members: Daksitha Withanage & Shuyaun Shen
Best Idea – „ThXRrdSpace“
An AI-driven platform for peer-support communities that avoids unwanted emotional dependencies on agents.
AI Grid member: Joaquin Ayzanoa
Best Ethics – „Untangle“
An XR experience that guides users through reflections on their emotions, based on positive psychology and ethical principles.
Our Takeaway from the Hackathon
The hackathon gave our members the opportunity to deepen their knowledge across disciplines and apply it hands-on in interactive XR and AI projects. They gained valuable experience in:
- responsible AI for immersive environments
- collaborating with experts from technology, design, psychology, and policy
- rapid prototyping and presenting to professional juries
- developing solutions with tangible social impact
The awards for Aura, PigeonTown and „ThXRrdSpace“, involving AI Grid members, further highlight the potential within our community and how strongly their contributions can shape the advancement of responsible innovation.
