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Contact

Women in AI Award

The Contest

The Women in AI Awards is an initiative of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in partnership with allWomen, supported by the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ). This initiative aims to tackle the visibility challenge women face in the AI field by showcasing outstanding women-led innovations in the MENA region.

As technology—particularly AI—continues to reshape our ecosystems, diversity in its creation is more crucial than ever. These awards celebrate women-led AI projects, not only recognizing their impact but also highlighting new role models in tech, fostering more inclusive innovation.

Deadline: 21 April 2025

Read the guidelines (PDF)

Eligibility and participation

Women originally from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Tunisia, and Türkiye are invited to participate, including those living abroad in one of the UfM member states. Applications are open to individuals and teams, as long as at least 80% of the team members identify as women and are actively involved in the technical development and/or hold leadership roles (including C-level positions) in the AI project. Entrepreneurs, startups, and teams within companies of all sizes are welcome to apply.

Participants can submit projects, products, or services that have already been implemented and are generating impact. Projects still in development are also eligible, as long as they have a clear vision, demonstrate tangible progress, and provide an overview of their next steps.

Applications open on 7 April 2025, with submissions closing on 21 April 2025. Finalists will be announced on 5 May 2025, leading up to the awards ceremony and networking events on 27 May 2025 in Istanbul.

Application process

To apply, participants must complete an online form providing key details about their AI project. This includes the project title, selection of one or more award categories, and a concise summary outlining its objectives, methodology, and impact. Applicants will also need to describe their project’s innovation, social and environmental contributions, scalability, and ethical considerations.

Supporting materials are required to strengthen the submission, including a presentation deck (PDF, max. 10 pages) and an optional video pitch (max. 3 minutes). Additional documentation, such as impact studies or letters of support, may also be included. Submissions must be presented in English.

Contest objectives

The Women in AI Awards celebrate groundbreaking projects and success stories, inspiring innovation and providing much-needed role models for women in the AI field. By recognizing these initiatives, the awards contribute to a more inclusive and representative AI ecosystem.

Women in AI continue to face significant barriers, from underrepresentation to limited access to resources, networks, and opportunities for collaboration. Strengthening connections among women in the field is essential to fostering innovation, sharing knowledge, and driving meaningful change in the AI landscape.

The mission is to support women driving AI innovation by equipping them with the tools to develop, implement, and scale their projects. A key focus is also on fostering networking and community-building among women in tech, creating spaces where knowledge, experience, and opportunities can be shared to accelerate progress.

Contest categories & Awards

The Women in AI Awards recognize outstanding women-led AI projects across three key categories:

Most Disruptive Innovation
This category celebrates pioneering AI initiatives that introduce significant technological advancements or revolutionary solutions. Projects in this category redefine industry standards, create new market opportunities, or push the boundaries of AI innovation.

Most Socially Impactful Project
This category highlights AI-driven projects that address critical social challenges and drive measurable positive change. Recognized initiatives contribute to societal well-being, focusing on underserved or marginalized communities through technology-driven solutions.

Most Sustainable AI Initiative
This category honors AI projects committed to sustainability and responsible development. Eligible initiatives demonstrate contributions to environmental conservation, ethical AI practices, or sustainable resource management, ensuring long-term positive impact.

For each category, four finalists will be selected and invited to be fully sponsored to Istanbul for the award ceremony and a capacity-building workshop. In the case of team applications, one representative will be invited.

Capacity-building and networking opportunities

Finalists and winners of the Women in AI Awards will take part in an exclusive capacity-building program on May 27th in Istanbul, designed to strengthen their AI expertise and expand their professional networks. The program will cover key AI concepts, AI-powered business models, ethical AI practices, and regulatory frameworks, using interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and real-life case studies to ensure practical application.

Training content will be tailored to participants’ backgrounds, fostering engaging discussions, peer learning, and meaningful connections among women in AI.

Visibility and recognition

Finalists in all categories will be recognized for their exceptional contributions at the awards ceremony, where they will also participate in a capacity-building workshop. This workshop will feature keynote speakers and experts from the women in AI ecosystem, offering valuable insights and practical guidance. The awards provide a vital platform to amplify the impact of women-led AI projects, fostering connections between participants and established referents in the field, helping them build relationships, gain visibility, and advance their initiatives.

Awards ceremony

The Women in AI Awards will take place on May 27, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. On May 27th, the Award Presentation & Winner Recognition will be held, followed by a panel discussion. The winners will join a woman leader in AI for an engaging discussion on their projects and the future of women in AI. On May 27th, an expert in AI will lead a capacity-building workshop for finalists and winners, providing valuable insights to further empower their initiatives.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation of entries will be based on the following criteria:

Innovation and Originality
The degree of technological advancement, originality, and the uniqueness of the solution compared to existing market offerings. A clear value proposition should be demonstrated.
Impact and Relevance
The social, economic, environmental, or technological impact of the project. This includes defining the target group and showing measurable positive effects on beneficiaries.
Feasibility and Scalability
The practicality and viability of the solution, with clear identification of resources and next steps. The scalability potential across different markets or regions will also be considered.
Sustainability
The long-term sustainability of the project, including financial, operational, and environmental considerations, ensuring the project can continue to create impact over time.
Ethical Considerations
Addressing potential ethical risks, including data privacy, biases, and transparency, with a clear ethical framework and adherence to responsible AI guidelines.

Quality of Application and Supporting Materials

The clarity, completeness, and professionalism of the application, along with the quality and relevance of supplementary materials such as presentations, videos, and letters of support.