San Sebastián Launches an International Artificial Intelligence Competition for College Students

The Talent House building in San Sebastián’s Fomento district served as the venue for the launch of the International Science, Technology, and Innovation Competition for University Students “Donostia Meeting Minds.” This is a pioneering initiative created with the goal fostering young talent, driving innovative solutions to global challenges through the use of AI, and promote exchange of knowledge universities, research centers, companies, and society.

Collaboration is the driving force behind this project was launched by Fomento de San Sebastián, the School of Engineering at the University of Navarra— Tecnun and El Diario Vasco, with the support of Multiverse Computing, forging a partnership between the academic and business communities and the city.

The launch event was attended by Ane Oyarbide, Councilor for Economics Local Employment; Iñigo Olaizola, director Development for San Sebastián; Francisco Javier Planes, director Tecnun School of Engineering at the University of Navarra; and Román Orus, Founder and Director of Multiverse Computing.

The spirit of the competition: young talent, innovation, and collaboration

“Donostia Meeting Minds” is designed as a space for meeting dialogue, fostering the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the field of artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to promote scientific and technological thinking, as well as the entrepreneurial and creative skills of university students, by supporting AI projects with a social impact.

Councilwoman Ane Oyarbide emphasized that “this initiative reflects our commitment to young talent and to creating real opportunities for them to develop their potential in an environment that connects knowledge, business, and society. ‘Donostia Meeting Minds’ is tool for establishing San Sebastián as a reference letter city reference letter innovation.” 

For his part, Iñigo Olaizola emphasized that “the launch of this initiative is part of the Sociedad de Fomento’s commitment to innovation, and to achieving this through collaboration with various stakeholders to create spaces where talent—especially young, local, and international talent—can flourish. AI, as a major opportunity to address both urban and business challenges, takes center stage in this first edition.”

Francisco Javier Planes noted that “at Tecnun this competition as a direct bridge between the classroom the social and business world; our Chair the social impact of artificial intelligence seeks not only technological excellence, but also to ensure that young talent proposes solutions with a human and ethical impact that will transform San Sebastián.”

Román Orus added that "artificial intelligence is transforming the way we tackle the major challenges of our time, and it is essential that this change be led by the younger generations. At Multiverse Computing, we are convinced that initiatives like 'Donostia Meeting Minds' are exactly subject we need between university talent, business, and the city."