Allstate is committed to developing digital skills and expanding technology opportunities for Northern Ireland youth through partnerships with STEM education charity partners. Pupils from across the region recently gathered at Allstate’s Belfast headquarters with a challenge to design, develop and pitch mobile app solutions that address real-world social, environmental and economic issues for the Sentinus Digital Futures Grand Final.
Students from the winning team, “Unstitched” from The Royal School Armagh won the competition and secured a trip to New York where they pitched their product directly to representatives from global tech organisations including Google, Meta and CNN.
Gerry Byrne, Senior Technical Trainer at Allstate Northern Ireland, said:
“Digital Futures highlights not only the incredible talent we have across Northern Ireland, but also the importance of encouraging more youth to see technology as a career they belong in.
“The final was filled with standout ideas and technical execution. It underscores the strength of rising talent in the field. Allstate is proud to support Sentinus in helping to inspire and invest in the future tech talent pipeline.”
The winning app included an AI-powered “Behind the Label” feature which assesses the risk of child labour in supply chains, enabling purchasers to make more informed and ethical decisions. While accessible to all users, the fashion-focused app primarily targets women and teenage girls.
Allstate’s partnerships with charities like Sentinus increases access to STEM and digital skills across Northern Ireland, The Digital Futures program connects schools with industry partners to help build confidence, capability and ambition among young people.
David Pilkington, Chief Executive at Sentinus said:
“The Digital Futures Grand Final demonstrates the talent, creativity and ambition young people bring to technology when given the opportunity to explore and develop their skills. Programmes like Digital Futures help build confidence, remove barriers and show students, including more girls entering STEM, that a future in tech is both achievable and exciting.
The ideas showcased this year highlight how technology can be a force for positive change, and we are incredibly proud to support young people across Northern Ireland as they develop into the innovators and digital leaders of the future.”
