Student Spotlight: RAI Student Omid Shokrollahi Wins First Stage of Norman Esch Award for AI Startup Supporting Cultural Integration

We’re excited to celebrate Omid Shokrollahi, a member of our Responsible AI research group, for being selected as a Stage 1 recipient of the Norman Esch Entrepreneurship Award for his innovative AI-driven startup concept:
A Bridge in the Third Space: Adaptive AI Solutions for Cultural Integration and Identity Representation.

The Norman Esch Entrepreneurship Award supports students who are developing high-potential ideas with strong technical and social impact. Awarded through Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Learning network, the program provides early-stage funding and support to help students bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.

About the Startup Idea

Omid’s project proposes an AI-powered app with a built-in chatbot that serves as a cultural coach — helping people navigate difficult or conflicting moments they may face when adapting to a new culture. Whether visiting short-term or settling in a new country, users can engage with the app to reflect on challenging situations, receive guidance, and process their experiences in a way that feels supportive and home-like.

The app is grounded in the idea of the “third space” — a conceptual space where multiple identities, cultures, and experiences meet and evolve. It aims to help users not only integrate into new environments but also retain and represent their existing cultural identity with pride and clarity.

Award and Recognition

Earlier this year, Omid’s idea was selected for Stage 1 of the Norman Esch Award, providing him with seed funding and entrepreneurial support to develop a prototype and explore further validation of the concept. His work exemplifies the socially responsible and empathetic use of AI that our research group strives to promote.