The excitement has settled, and we can officially say: we did it!

Our project, "A.utism I.ntegration – developing educational tools based on the potential of artificial intelligence to support the social integration of young people with cognitive disabilities," won the Digital Skills category at the EDUinspiracje 2025 gala, organized by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.

The project was a response to a real, grassroots-identified problem. During our many 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 neurotypical peers but lack the tools and a safe space for initial contact. The chatbot created during the project became that bridge: it enables peer integration, highlights the needs of neurodivergent individuals, and uses 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 established 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 receiving feedback that organizations we collaborated with are now using the project's results, such as the script and simulator, in their own educational practice. Locally, the project raised awareness about how young people on the spectrum function—we disseminated our findings widely in secondary schools—while aligning with broader efforts to promote equal opportunities and education based on empathy, technology, and an understanding of 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 recognizing our efforts.