Workshop: Innovation prizes to accelerate AI for social good

The sophistication of artificial intelligence is advancing fast. With every breakthrough comes greater mainstream and expert awareness of the breadth of applications where AI could be used.

We’re already seeing the evolution of large language models (like GPT-4, which can generate human-like language from a prompt), and diffusion models (like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, which can generate illustrations). Having originated as clunky proofs of concept, they’ve become remarkably effective tools with real-world applications – all within a few years.

As a general-purpose technology, AI could transform whole sectors. At current, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the possible applications.

Our Longitude Prize on Dementia seeks AI solutions that help people live independently as they begin to experience the symptoms of dementia. That’s just one example of where we can see how AI is capable of making a positive difference.

The UK government is awake to the promise of AI too.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced that £10 million will be awarded over the next decade to the most promising, exciting and practical use cases of AI. The “Manchester Prize”, named after the birthplace of the world’s first stored program computer, is part of a ‘quantum strategy’; a research and innovation programme totalling £2.5 billion. That’s on top of a £250m package of funding for three critical technologies, including AI, announced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology earlier this year.

How can we support these tech aspirations and create change?

At Challenge Works, we catalyse breakthroughs in frontier technology to improve the lives of those around us. More challenge prizes in AI – like the government’s Manchester Prize, and our Longitude Prize on Dementia – could steer the direction of this fast-advancing technology towards innovations that benefit our society and economy.

As such, we’re hosting a workshop next month to explore opportunities for AI innovation in the UK, bringing together experts and stakeholders. Our research team, alongside entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers and more, will discuss and prioritise how we can use innovative applications of artificial intelligence to improve our quality of life, and how challenge prizes could make those ideas a reality. 

We’ll use key insights from the event to inform and shape our future prize programmes, as well as sharing outcomes with attendees, stakeholders in government and R&D funders. This is a unique opportunity to have a say in where our efforts in AI should be focused.

The workshop will take place on Tuesday the 23rd of May at our London office. Alongside discussion and thought-curation, we will provide the opportunity to network and enjoy refreshments.

If you work in AI, have relevant qualifications in the field, or are in an industry equipped to take AI understanding to the next level, apply to join the free expert event.

EDIT: This event has now passed. Our upcoming events can be found on our website, or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about future announcements.

Please note that registration does not guarantee a space. We are keeping attendance numbers low to ensure the event is high quality. We’re likely to be oversubscribed, and as such, will assess registrations for suitability and inform applicants if a space is available. 

Your information will only be kept for the purposes of organising the workshop and will be dealt with under the Challenge Works Privacy Policy.