The Beginning of CompetencIA
AI and Sports: A Partnership for Socio-Emotional Development
On October 17, 2024, the official launch of the project CompetencIA: Women’s Adaptive Sports North-South and Artificial Intelligence for Socio-Emotional Skills Development, took place at the iconic Palacio del Condestable in Pamplona. This innovative project is led by Navarra-based entities SAMAY, Innovactoras, and Human AI. It was selected as part of the 2024 Innova Program, supported by Fundación Caja Navarra and Fundación “la Caixa.”
The event was attended by representatives from the sports organizations involved in the project, including the Navarra Federation of Adaptive Sports, Wheelchair Basketball, Club Deportivo para Ciegos, Iruña Rugby Club, Club Deportivo El Molino, and Balonmano Betionak Popurri.
A Collaborative and Global Approach
CompetencIA is a pioneering initiative that bridges the worlds of adaptive sports and artificial intelligence to enhance the emotional well-being of people with disabilities, with a special focus on female athletes in Navarra and Guatemala. Over the next two years, the project will drive research and raise awareness of adaptive sports as tools for social inclusion and personal development.
The launch event featured key presentations from representatives of the three leading entities and international collaborators. Ana Belén Albero, co-founder of Innovactoras, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of highlighting women in innovation. She noted that since its creation in 2018, Innovactoras has received international awards for its commitment to gender equality and inclusion in both scientific and social fields.
Natalia Galbán, a teacher in the class specializing in Artificial Intelligence, and coordinator of digital technologies at Colegio El Molino, shared the background of the CompetencIA project. Colegio El Molino received the Innovactoras Award in 2023 for its work using AI to foster socio-emotional skills in individuals with disabilities. Natalia explained how applying AI to develop these skills has significantly improved students’ lives, inspiring the inclusion of women with disabilities in the Innovactoras network.
Technology and Sports: A Partnership for Socio-Emotional Development
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the artificial intelligence tool developed by Human AI, delivered by Íñigo Benito, Innovation Manager of the company. Benito explained how Human AI’s technology enables immediate analysis of socio-emotional skills through natural language texts. This key tool eliminates self-perception biases and enhances assessments, particularly for athletes with disabilities.
Íñigo Ayerra, president of SAMAY, shared insights from the association’s work in rural areas of Guatemala. Ayerra, highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in impoverished environments and how adaptive sports can serve as a crucial tool to foster their autonomy and self-esteem.
The event also featured Shirley Juárez from the Guatemalan NGO FUNDAP. She discussed the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in rural areas. Further, Maribel Dugo from Special Olympics Argentina, provided an international perspective on the impact of adaptive sports on global inclusion.
CompetencIA’s Goals: Local and Global Impact
During her presentation, Celia Pinedo, coordinator of CompetencIA and expert on the 2030 Agenda, outlined the project’s primary objectives to be achieved between October 2024 and August 2026:
- Developing socio-emotional skills: Validating Human AI’s tool with 80 adaptive athletes in Navarra, ensuring that 60% of participants are women.
- Systematization in Guatemala: Extending the validation process to rural Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, involving 80 youth with disabilities, with a focus on women.
- Raising awareness of women’s adaptive sports: Strengthening the Innovactoras Awards by introducing new accolades for women excelling in adaptive sports and disability advocacy.
- Scientific dissemination: Publishing findings and evidence in academic conferences and international meetings, promoting adaptive sports as a path to socio-emotional development and well-being.
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CompetencIA, aligned with the 2030 Goals and focused on a human development approach, ultimately aims to reduce inequalities faced by individuals with disabilities. And raise the profile of adaptive sports, especially for women. According to Spain’s National Sports Council, only 3,500 women and girls with disabilities are registered in sports federations across the country. This accounts for less than 0.15% of the total population of women and girls with disabilities (2 million). The project seeks to transform this reality, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future.
For more information, visit the CompetencIA website or contact samay.asociacion@gmail.com.
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