World JAIN Challenge 2026: Winners Announced

The World JAIN Challenge 2026 has been successfully completed, resulting in the selection of two winners across the categories Best Prototype and Best Full‑Fledged Product.

The Prototype category was awarded to OPALINE (Paolo Fedele, UK), a voice‑first AI companion designed to address loneliness and support cognitive health in older adults. The Full‑Fledged Product category was won by PALL0®, developed by AI2AI (Finland) and represented by Henrik Terävä – an AI-powered intelligent ball designed to support people with cognitive and neurological challenges through natural, screen-free interaction  supporting people living with cognitive and neurological conditions through embodied interaction.

All finalist submissions were assessed through a structured, multi‑stakeholder review process involving international experts in dementia and technology, as well as people living with dementia and family caregivers. Across submissions, a clear trend emerged towards low‑burden, practice‑aligned AI-technologies that support care and everyday living.

The winners were announced by the Chair together with Hans Arnold, CEO of the JAIN Foundation, and Franka Meiland, former Chair of the World JAIN Challenge and board member of JAIN. Special thanks are extended to Hans Arnold for his invaluable support of the event and his continued commitment to enabling technology developers to meet WJC requirements. Franka Meiland is gratefully acknowledged for her significant contributions to the jury process and for providing guidance to the incoming Chair.

As members of the independent international jury, INTERDEM researchers including David Neal, Shirley Evans, Ulla Eloniemi‑Sulkava, Thomas Engelsma, and Duygu Sezgin contributed actively to the review process. Sincere thanks also go to Marjolein de Vugt, Chair of INTERDEM, for her role in the final selection of nominated and winning products.

Additional thanks are extended to Professor Arlene Astell for her contribution as guest speaker at the winner ceremony on 21 April 2026, and to the JAIN Foundation Board, chaired by Professor Rose‑Marie Dröes, as well as Alzheimer Europe, for their longstanding support of the JAIN Challenges.

Dr. Rikke Gregersen, VIA Aarhus, Denmark