YRP AI Innovation Challenge
Event: January 23-29, 2026
Empowering you to shape the future of community‑centred safety and trust
Join post‑secondary students across the University of Toronto to design and build data‑driven solutions exploring how AI and emerging technologies can support safer, more connected communities. This hands-on innovation challenge gives teams three focused days to collaborate, prototype, and submit solutions that support community safety in thoughtful, responsible ways.
A 3-Day Challenge for Smarter, Safer Communities Through Applied AI
The YRP AI Innovation Challenge invites you to work in teams to create technology that reflects public priorities, concerns, and expectations.
At its core, this challenge is about listening to the community and designing solutions that meaningfully enhance safety and trust. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges, with the top five teams advancing to a live pitch on January 29 for a chance to win amazing prizes!
See schedule detailsOur Mission
Put Community Perspectives at the Centre
Technology that affects public life should reflect the experiences, values, and concerns of the people it serves. This challenge brings student and community insight into the design process to inform more people-centred solutions.
Create Space for Open Dialogue and Collaboration
This challenge is designed as an open environment for learning and collaboration. You are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and engage in honest conversations about technology and community safety.
Advance Responsible, AI Innovation
The challenge explores how data-informed AI can be used thoughtfully in public contexts. Ethics, privacy, fairness, and transparency are treated as essential design requirements from the start.
Support Hands‑On, Purpose‑Driven Technology
By building functional prototypes, teams explore how AI-driven tools could support safer communities while grounding innovation in real-world needs, practical constraints, and public trust.
Why Participate
Drive Innovation and Impact
Collaborate with YRP and apply creative problem-solving to design AI solutions that respond to real public safety needs and support stronger communities.
Strengthen your Skills
Develop hands-on experience in applied AI, data analysis, and cloud-based development as you build and test working technology in an AWS sandbox environment.
Collaborate with Diverse Minds
Work alongside students and professionals across various disciplines to tackle meaningful, real-world challenges.
Discover Opportunities
Gain exposure to public-sector technology challenges and learn about potential pathways to future student placements or co-op roles with partner organizations.
Learn from Experts
Engage with mentors from YRP and OnX who bring experience in AI, data, cloud technologies, and responsible innovation as you develop your solution.
Shape the Future
Share your perspectives and priorities to help inform how emerging technologies and AI-powered tools could be designed to better serve communities with transparency and trust.
Prizes
Top teams will earn exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences with York Regional Police, offering rare insight into real-world operations.
YRP Helicopter Ride
Experience aerial operations and see how aviation supports community safety.
Marine Unit Tour
Explore water-based policing and emergency response on patrol vessels.
Training Experience
Participate in a hands-on training session with YRP professionals.
Teams will also be recognized with special awards celebrating standout achievements across creativity, innovation, and impact.
Sponsors and Partners
Ready to get involved?
Bring your curiosity, your ideas, and your perspective. Together, we can explore how responsible AI can help build smarter and safer communities.