AiEconLab

Shaping Tomorrow with AI

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Inspiration

AiEconLab was founded on the mission to make AI intuitive, inclusive, and responsible. Our core inspiration stems from the belief that cutting-edge artificial intelligence should be accessible and beneficial for everyone, not just a select few. We aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications, solving pressing challenges in education, logistics, and business by applying AI thoughtfully to make systems smarter and lives better. We are driven by the vision of building the future, one intelligent solution at a time, with a strong emphasis on innovation with purpose, accessibility for all, and responsibility in every decision.

What it does

AiEconLab develops proprietary web-based platforms and consulting solutions that integrate machine learning, cloud infrastructure, geospatial analytics, and personalized automation. Our comprehensive suite of AI solutions is designed to transform various industries:

  • AI in Education
    Chatbots and learning companions for personalized academic support, adaptive learning paths, and seamless LMS integration (e.g., Canvas, Moodle). Real-time engagement analytics help increase student engagement and improve learning outcomes.

  • Data Engineering, AI, and GIS
    End-to-end workflows for data ingestion, modeling, and deployment, enhanced with GIS-based insights and real-time dashboards.

  • SAS to Python Migration
    Modernizing legacy codebases with cloud-native PySpark and Python tools, integrated into platforms like Databricks and Azure Synapse.

  • SpiceVoice (AI for Business)
    Voice-enabled ordering assistant for restaurants. Built with OpenAI GPT and ElevenLabs, it supports multilingual conversations, real-time menu handling, and delivery integration.

  • AiEconLab Drone
    Autonomous drone logistics for last-mile delivery, featuring AI-optimized routes, real-time tracking, and sustainable design.

  • Interactive AI Games
    We develop educational games such as Secret Hitler AI Edition, The Trust Market, Warped Truths, and The Last Transmission that promote systems thinking, economic reasoning, and AI literacy.

How we built it

AiEconLab is engineered with a modern and modular full-stack development approach:

  • Frontend: Next.js + React + TypeScript with Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui for streamlined and responsive UI.
  • Backend: Supabase handles authentication, database queries, and file uploads.
  • Key Integrations:
    • @supabase/ssr for server-side user sessions
    • ElevenLabs for natural-sounding voice agents in SpiceVoice

All API routes for data collection and file uploads (resumes, contact forms, demo requests) are built with Next.js API and stored securely in Supabase Storage.

Challenges we ran into

One major hurdle was handling server-side authentication within the Next.js environment. We initially misused getSession with the wrong Supabase client (createClient), causing build failures and type errors.

Resolution:

  • Removed invalid session properties from the admin client
  • Switched to createServerClient from @supabase/ssr for secure session management

This experience reinforced the importance of matching client type with authentication use cases.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • ✅ Multi-Domain AI Impact: A robust pipeline of AI applications across sectors—education, logistics, data engineering, and AI gaming.
  • ✅ Scalable Infrastructure: Built entirely on open, modular, and cloud-ready systems (Supabase, Next.js, PySpark).
  • ✅ Inclusive Design: Developed user-centric UIs that balance technical complexity with accessibility.
  • ✅ Technical Debugging: Overcame Supabase auth bugs and refined server-side logic for secure deployment.
  • ✅ Purpose-Driven Impact: All solutions align with our values—equity, responsibility, and real-world problem-solving.

What we learned

  • 📘 Next.js + Supabase Integration: Deep understanding of secure client-server communication and SSR implementation.
  • ⚙️ TypeScript Reliability: Leveraging strong type checks to preempt runtime bugs.
  • 🧩 Scalable Architecture: Built for reuse, maintainability, and long-term deployment.
  • 🧪 Debugging Discipline: Improved diagnosis via isolating components and reviewing browser/server logs.
  • 🔗 API Integration Experience: Gained fluency in implementing and customizing third-party APIs like ElevenLabs.

What's next for AiEconLab

  • ✈️ Expand Drone Pilot: Continue testing in Waterloo with blueprints for scaling to other Canadian cities.
  • 🎮 New Game Releases: Bring new educational AI games to production.
  • 💡 Open Innovation Program: Launch our “Submit Your AI Idea” platform to gather collaborative input from the public.
  • 🔄 Product Iteration: Refine AI features (e.g., chatbots, dashboards, migration tools) based on feedback.
  • 📚 Public Research: Share findings and tools through papers and open-access resources.

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