TCS adds generative AI to LatAm women’s coding contest
Tata Consultancy Services opened applications for the second edition of Codificadas, a regional programming competition exclusively for women in Latin America.
The new edition will incorporate artificial intelligence-based tools and challenges throughout its training and competition stages.
The integration of artificial intelligence tools into educational and competitive programming environments is beginning to gain traction across technology and education initiatives in Latin America. In this context, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) opened applications for the second edition of Codificadas, a regional programming competition for women across the region.
Applications will remain open until June 12 under a free and open format for participants from different academic backgrounds and technical experience levels. Interested participants can register and find more information at tcscodificadas.com.
Programming and AI.
Participants may use AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot, Gemini and Perplexity to understand concepts, optimize code and solve technical challenges throughout the competition.
The initiative will also seek to strengthen skills related to programming, problem-solving, logical thinking and adaptation to new technologies.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “The AI Generation” and will incorporate activities and challenges in which artificial intelligence tools will support learning and technical solution development.
Competition categories.
The competition will be divided into two categories. NextGenCoder will target young women between the ages of 15 and 18 enrolled in secondary education and designed for participants taking their first steps in programming and computational logic.
Meanwhile, MasterCoder will target undergraduate, technical and graduate students expected to graduate in 2026 or later. In this category, participants will face more complex challenges related to competitive programming, strategy and applied use of artificial intelligence.
Regional reach.
The first edition brought together more than 4,700 participants from 16 countries and featured an in-person final in Bogotá, Colombia. Among the winners were Milagros Osimi and Bianca Vicente, from Argentina, and Rosangel Bullon, from Peru.
Carolina Álvarez, a student at the National University of Colombia and finalist in the first edition, recalled her experience:
“When I signed up for Codificadas, I did not really know what to expect, but I quickly understood that it was much more than a competition: I found a community of talented women from across the region, a space that confirmed that this is our moment to claim our place in technology; experiences like this show that there is no need to wait until university to begin and that talent knows no age, which is why I hope many girls see in Codificadas what I saw: an open door to take a chance, trust themselves and take the first step.”
Women in STEM.
The initiative is taking place in a context where women continue to have lower representation in competitive programming spaces and STEM careers within the regional technology industry.
Ximena Jofré, HR Head of TCS Latin America, said:
“Technology is advancing, and women in Latin America must advance alongside it. With this second edition of Codificadas, we are not only seeking greater female participation in technology, but also aiming to equip a generation of women with AI tools that will allow them to play a role in the future of digital transformation.”
Finalists will travel to the competition’s in-person grand finale, where they will also gain access to job opportunities, internships and academic projects linked to Tata Consultancy Services.
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