Under Royal Patronage, King Salman Center Launches AI Hackathon for Persons with Disabilities

The King Salman Center for Disability Research has launched the “Artificial Intelligence Hackathon for Persons with Disabilities,” one of the accompanying events of the 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, which is being held under the theme “Smart Innovation for Sustainable Impact.” The conference is held under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

A Qualitative Initiative to Foster Innovation and Empower Persons with Disabilities

The hackathon represents a pioneering initiative that coincides with the “Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026” and reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to empower persons with disabilities and enhance their quality of life. It also builds upon the Center’s leading role in supporting scientific research, innovation, and the development of sustainable disability-related solutions.

Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Position in Innovation and Advanced Technologies

His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Center for Disability Research, emphasized that the Artificial Intelligence Hackathon promotes innovation and the development of solutions based on robotics and assistive technologies. It also provides participants with an opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions that improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities while reinforcing the Kingdom’s position in innovation and advanced technologies.

Strong Participation and Diverse Tracks for Developing Innovative Solutions

The hackathon has witnessed significant interest since its launch, attracting more than 2,251 participants who formed 918 teams. Their projects are distributed across four main tracks: assistive technologies for daily living, health and rehabilitation, education and access to knowledge, and smart solutions aimed at improving the experience of persons with disabilities during Hajj and Umrah.

A Series of Specialized Workshops to Advance Hackathon Outcomes

The Center continues to organize a series of specialized workshops from June 14 to June 22, 2026, with the aim of refining hackathon outcomes and enhancing their practical applicability. The workshops cover the latest applications in rehabilitation robotics, inclusive educational technologies, and principles of inclusive AI and robotics design, with the participation of experts and researchers from international universities and institutions.

Final Results to Be Announced During the 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation

Submissions are being evaluated by a specialized scientific jury according to criteria including innovation, expected impact, technical feasibility, applicability, sustainability, and prototype quality. The shortlisted projects will be showcased, and the final results announced, during the 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation in Riyadh in October 2026.

Acceleration Program to Support Winning Teams

The hackathon includes a specialized acceleration program designed to help winning teams further develop their prototypes and transform them into scalable, practical assistive technologies. The program provides scientific and technical mentorship, funding opportunities, and partnership support to enhance the sustainability of the projects.

For more information about the hackathon:

hackathon.kscdr.org