Students worked in small groups, shared ideas, and developed practical applications of artificial intelligence to help with real-world problems. It wasn’t about getting everything perfect — it was about experimenting, figuring things out as they went, and seeing what they could create in a short amount of time.

The event highlighted how young people are already thinking seriously about the role of AI in everyday life — and how they can shape it for the better.

One of the standout projects to emerge from the sprint was “AI Eat,” created by Duarte Lourenço. The idea focuses on helping families plan affordable, healthy meals and shows how simple concepts can have a real impact. We had the chance to speak with Duarte about his project and his future plans.

1. First of all, congratulations on winning the AI Design Sprint. How did it feel when your project “Ai Eat” was announced as the winner?

Thank you. To be honest, I didn't expect to win at all, so it was a big surprise. There were many great projects in the competition. When they announced 'AI Eat' as the winner, it felt good to see that our team's work was valued. We are very happy with the result.

2. What inspired you to create an AI tool focused on meal planning and budgeting?

The inspiration came from a very common problem: many people want to eat healthily but find it hard to manage their budget and time. We realised that AI could make this much easier by quickly creating personalised plans that save money and reduce food waste. We just wanted to build something practical that solves a real, everyday struggle.


3. How does “AI Eat” work in practice? What would the user experience look like for families using the tool?

In practice, it’s very simple. The user just enters their budget, dietary needs, and what they already have in the fridge. Then, the AI generates a weekly meal plan and a smart shopping list. For families, the experience is about saving time: they get recipes that everyone likes, adjusted for allergies or food preferences, without spending more than they planned.

4. During the design sprint, what was the most challenging part of developing your idea?

The main goal of 'AI Eat' is to help people eat healthily consistently. The AI creates balanced meal plans tailored to nutritional needs, making it easier for families to follow a healthier diet. By suggesting healthy recipes that fit their budget, the tool removes the stress of planning and helps users make better food choices every day.

5. What did you learn from participating in the AI Design Sprint?

The experience taught me a lot about using AI to solve real problems. I learned how to turn a complex idea into a simple tool that helps people. It was also great to see how much a team can achieve in a short time when we focus on a clear goal, such as healthy eating and budgeting.

6. How do you imagine “AI Eat” could develop in the future? Do you see it becoming a real app or platform one day?

There is still a lot to think about, and we have some doubts about the best way to scale it. However, we see potential for 'AI Eat' to become a real platform. We would love to add features like supermarket integration, but for now, our focus is just on making healthy eating simpler for families. It’s a step-by-step process.

7. In what ways do you think “AI Eat” could help people in the future, especially families who are trying to save money while eating well?

In the future, 'AI Eat' could help families by automating the most challenging aspects of healthy eating. Many people struggle to find recipes that are both nutritious and easy to make. Our tool solves this by suggesting balanced meals based on what people already have at home. It takes away the stress of planning and helps everyone maintain a healthy diet every day.


8. What are your personal plans for the future? Are you interested in continuing to work with artificial intelligence or technology?

I’m interested in technology and AI, but I’m still not sure what my next steps will be. Participating in the sprint was a great experience, and it showed me how these tools can help people. For now, I just want to see where it leads me.

9. Do you already have ideas for new projects or improvements you would like to add to “AI Eat”?

Yes, I have some ideas for the project. I want to make the tool even simpler and more practical for families to use every day. My focus is on improving the user experience and finding better ways to help people maintain a healthy diet without any stress.

10. What advice would you give to other young students who are interested in AI and innovation?

I wasn't very interested in coming at first, but I’m glad I did. My advice is to just give it a chance, even if you’re not sure. You don't need to be an expert to start; you just need to focus on a problem that you want to solve.