Mauritian ‘Game of Code’ Awards Top 3 Human-Centered AI Innovations

Charles Telfair Education and Curtin Mauritius hosted the second edition of Game of Code in 2025, an annual hackathon focused on combining technology with human values. The event took place at the Charles Telfair campus and aimed to showcase young Mauritian talent in digital innovation.

This year’s theme, “Your Human Twist,” emphasized the importance of human-centered innovation.

Participants, divided into 20 teams from five institutions—Curtin Mauritius, University of Mauritius, University of Technology Mauritius, Middlesex University Mauritius, and Polytechnics Mauritius—worked over several days to develop solutions that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with emotional understanding.

The challenge was to create digital tools to support students experiencing psychological distress.

AI Supporting Mental Well-Being

Teams designed chatbots that detect early signs of mental health issues, interactive avatars with empathetic behavior, and platforms encouraging emotional resilience and self-expression. Their goal was to develop AI as a tool to improve well-being, not just technology for its own sake.

A total of 80 students participated, with their work judged by a panel of 18 experts from 13 partner companies, including DayForce, RAPP, Infomil, Accenture, ICPS, IBL, Eclosia Technology Services, Investec, Standard Bank, MCB, Deloitte, Checkout.com, and MSIRI.

After presentations and demonstrations, three teams stood out:

• Team Ctrl C Ctrl V from Curtin Mauritius, awarded first place for creating an intuitive app that uses voice detection and personalized recommendations.
• Team Halal.exe from the University of Mauritius, for developing a virtual assistant that recognizes emotions via facial recognition.
• Team Snack Overflow from the University of Mauritius, recognized for their engaging and comforting interface.

The event served as a launchpad for future careers, with several participants already being approached by the partner companies for potential opportunities. Some companies expressed interest in supporting their projects beyond the hackathon.

According to Dr. Sarita Ramanan, Head of the Faculty of IT at Charles Telfair Education, Game of Code is more than a competition.

“It’s a catalyst for change. Young people no longer just want to build apps—they want to make a difference in the world,” she said.

Building on the success of 2025, organizers are already planning for 2026, promising even bolder innovations. Yet, the core mission remains the same: fostering human-centered technological solutions.

Source: Defi Media