The excitement has settled, and we can officially announce our victory! Our project, "A.utism I.ntegration – developing AI-based educational tools to support the social integration of young people with cognitive disabilities," won in the Digital Skills category at the EDUinspiracje 2025 gala, hosted by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.

The project was a response to a real, grassroots-identified problem. During our years of work at the Special Educational Center No. 2 in Gdynia, we observed that young people on the autism spectrum are eager to build relationships with their neurotypical peers but lack the tools and a safe space for initial contact. The chatbot created during the project serves as a bridge: it facilitates peer integration, highlights the needs of neurodivergent individuals, and utilizes technology in a smart, supportive way.

For our foundation, this project was a breakthrough. It deepened our understanding of communication barriers, provided concrete tools for our work, and strengthened our efforts for youth with fewer opportunities. It also confirmed the value of the participatory approach we use when working with the autism community—a commitment we continue today through projects supporting youth participation. Thanks to this initiative, we have built new relationships with institutions across the region that support neurodivergent individuals, including the Lena Grochowska Foundation in Gdańsk, with whom we co-organized Autism Awareness Day. We are pleased to hear that partner organizations are now using the project’s results, such as the script and simulator, in their own educational practice. Locally, the project raised awareness about the experiences of young people on the spectrum by disseminating results in secondary schools, while contributing to broader efforts for equal opportunities and education rooted in empathy, technology, and an appreciation for diversity.

We would like to thank the Foundation for the Development of the Education System for this prestigious recognition of our work, with special thanks to our project supervisor, Mr. Adam Kułanowski, for his support and recognition of our efforts.