Teens in AI successfully hosted its annual International Women’s Day (IWD) Global Techathon at the Kliptown Youth Program in Soweto, bringing together 60 teenagers from Johannesburg and Cape Town for a two-day AI innovation sprint. The Johannesburg event produced several incredible AI-powered prototypes, with the Cape Town edition scheduled for 28 February – 1 March 2026.
The Teens in AI IWD techathon is a global initiative designed to help teens, particularly girls and underserved youth, with practical AI skills while solving real-world challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
Teens in AI is a global non-profit organisation that has hosted 9 international Women’s Day techathons across countries, strengthening access to ethical AI education and innovation opportunities for young people worldwide.
In partnership with Ikigai People Advisory, the Johannesburg techathon brought together teenagers, mentors, leaders, and tech professionals to collaborate on AI solutions addressing urgent social and economic issues.
Participants were encouraged to develop solutions aligned with the following SDGs:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
A total of 35 teens between 13 and 15 participated in the Johannesburg event. They were divided into 6 groups and supported by 14 mentors. The first day focused on AI fundamentals (AI 101), exploring ethics, understanding responsible technology use, and identifying SDG challenges to address. Most groups chose Quality Education since they can relate to the topic, while one group focused on Gender Equality.
Group 5 emerged as winners with their app, Teena Sonke, that was developed under SDG 4: Quality Education. The app addresses the challenge faced by teenagers who lack internet access and quality educational support. The key features include:
The second day focused on building a functional app or prototypes and preparing their pitches for the judging panel, featuring Sheldon Tatchell (CEO of Legends Barber), Yashmita Bhana (CEO of Nihka Technology Group), Vijat Pillay (Director at School of Technology and AI), and Boikanyo Mazibuko (CEO at Authentic Choice Hub). For their prototypes, the participants were allowed to use Lovable, Bolt, Glide, Voiceflow, and other tools they are familiar with.
- A progress streak tracker to encourage consistent learning
- Rewards and digital certificates
- An AI-powered chatbot that assists with homework by explaining concepts step by step rather than simply providing answers.
One of the participants noted that some learners often become lazy and copy answers without fully understanding the work. The chatbot is designed to promote comprehension rather than shortcuts, encouraging meaningful learning. While Teena Sonke received recognition, the organisers emphasised that the techathon was not purely about competition. The primary goal was to demonstrate the power of AU and expand career options beyond societal norms.
The judges expressed how incredible every participant’s work was, with the innovation and critical thinking involved. Mentors also played a huge role, guiding teams through ideation, development, and presentation stages.
Following the success of the Johannesburg event, Teens in AI and Ikigai People Advisory are preparing for the Cape Town edition of the IWD Techathon. Innovations like this are particularly significant in South Africa, where many young people lack exposure to emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems. By introducing teenagers to AI education, ethical technology, and entrepreneurship, the program opens pathways into the future-focused careers in AI, data science, and technology.
To learn more about upcoming techathons and AI education opportunities, follow Teens in AI and Ikigai People Advisory on their social media platforms:
Teens in AI:
- Website: https://www.teensinai.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teensinai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teensinai
- X: https://x.com/TeensInAI
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeensinAI/
Ikigai People Advisory:
