UniPaws

Inspiration

In a world where people are more connected than ever yet increasingly divided, I wanted to build something that brings people closer instead of pushing them apart. UniPaws was inspired by the idea that learning about each other’s cultures, languages, and perspectives is the first step toward unity. By combining AI, gamification, and emotional engagement through a virtual companion, this project turns cultural learning into a fun daily habit instead of a boring task.

What it does

UniPaws is an AI-powered, gamified learning platform designed to promote unity through education.
Users adopt a virtual companion that grows as they:

• Complete daily study and focus sessions
  
• Take AI-generated quizzes on global cultures, history, and languages
  
• Learn through interactive challenges and thematic content
  
• Build consistency and streaks while exploring diversity
  

The more they learn, the more their companion evolves — turning personal growth into a visual and emotional experience.

How we built it

UniPaws is built as a full-stack web application using:

• A React + TypeScript frontend for interactive UI
  
• A Node.js + Express backend for handling AI and data processing
  
• Supabase for authentication, database, and user profiles
  
• Mistral AI for generating smart quizzes and study content
  
• Wolfram Alpha API for mathematical explanations
  
• A gamification system with XP, streaks, and companion evolution
  

The architecture separates frontend and backend for scalability and smooth real-time interaction.

Challenges we ran into

Some major challenges included:

• Managing multiple AI APIs together without conflicts
  
• Handling real-time data sync between frontend and Supabase
  
• Maintaining smooth performance with heavy AI processing
  
• Integrating multilingual and RTL (right-to-left) support
  
• Debugging authentication and database permission issues
  

Each of these required deep debugging, refactoring, and testing under time pressure.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Successfully built a full-stack AI-powered application within hackathon time
  
• Integrated multi-language support including RTL for Arabic
  
• Designed an emotional bond system using a virtual companion
  
• Created a gamified system that encourages consistent learning
  
• Connected education with unity in a meaningful and engaging way
  

What we learned

Through UniPaws, we learned:

• How to architect and deploy a full AI-integrated application
  
• How to work with real-time databases like Supabase
  
• How to design systems that balance technical complexity and user experience
  
• How AI can be used for social impact and not just automation
  

This project strengthened both my technical skills and my vision for using technology for communities.

What's next for UniPaws

Future plans include:

• Adding global leaderboards and collaborative challenges
  
• Expanding cultural content and global topics
  
• Introducing voice-based companion interaction
  
• Mobile app version for Android and iOS
  
• Community-hosted quizzes and multilingual expansions
  

UniPaws is just the beginning of a larger mission to make learning a unifying force globally.

Built With

• express.js
• html5
• mistral-ai-api
• node.js
• react.js
• supabase
• typescript
• vite
• wolfram-technologies