AI is transforming the way we live and work, and its impact will only continue. With global spending on AI expected to double between 2023 and 2026 to more than 300 billion dollars, its use is growing at a rapid pace. This meteoric rise has sparked debate about the role we want AI to play in society, but AI’s significant contributions to solving some of the biggest and most complex societal challenges cannot be understated. -estimated.
From cancer identification twice as accurate as biopsies In addition to predictive AI helping us better prepare for and counter the impacts of climate change, AI innovation plays a central role in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve health public, while many industries are witnessing the benefits of AI in improving productivity in the workplace.
To encourage more innovation in AI for the public good, the UK government announced the Manchester Price to celebrate and reward innovations that will tackle some of society’s biggest challenges, inspiring the next wave of UK-led AI innovators.
“With its potential to improve public services, drive economic growth and support the transition to net zero emissions, AI-driven innovation has the capacity to transform society and our daily lives,” says Sarah Munby, permanent secretary at the Department of Science and Innovation. and Technology (DSIT), which funds the Manchester Prize.
Each year the prize will award £1 million to UK-led teams developing innovative solutions to these challenges using AI. As cost of living pressures impact many people and businesses in the UK, safe AI innovation can help reduce costs, reduce emissions and improve the health of the UK .
“I’m excited to see the cutting-edge innovations developed by the finalists in our first round, which will showcase the UK’s enduring scientific and technological excellence and the enormous potential of AI for the public good “Munby said.
Public attitude towards AI
DSIT Center for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) The Public Attitudes Tracker Survey 2023 found that, following the emergence of major language models, such as ChatGPT, made public in late 2022, self-reported awareness of AI has increased significantly. The survey, which monitors how attitudes towards data and AI vary over time in the UK, reveals that 95% of people had heard of AI by 2023, an increase of 6% increase from 89% the previous year.
Further results from the CDEI survey demonstrated that the UK public was generally optimistic about the potential of AI to increase everyday convenience, make services more affordable and improve public services such as healthcare and education. ‘education.
However, the public also sees risks associated with these data-driven technologies including concerns about job displacement (45%), threats to human creativity and problem-solving skills (35%), and fears about losing control over AI (34%).
On how government can manage the risks and unlock the benefits of AI, Munby said: “We have a golden opportunity right now to think seriously about the type of AI we want to see thrive in our society, to answer actively address these concerns and demonstrate the benefits. this can bring.
“Our ten-year financial commitment to the Manchester Prize will enable the UK to continue to harness the transformative opportunities of AI for the public good,” said Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI and Intellectual Property .
“The inaugural Manchester Prize is an exciting new initiative to advance this agenda,” says Munby. “It will award £1 million each year to groundbreaking UK-led AI innovation that will help solve some of our societies’ biggest challenges. This year, the focus is on energy, environment and infrastructure.
The Manchester Prize: in search of pioneers of innovation
With applications now open for the award, UK-based start-ups, individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organisations, universities and charities are invited to submit their work to help raise the highest major societal challenges.
The award builds on the £3.5 billion injection to make the UK a “science and technology superpower”, announced in the UK Government’s Spring 2023 Budget.
“The UK is Europe’s leading technology ecosystem, ahead of Germany and France, and with initiatives like this we can consolidate our position as a science and technology superpower, helping to grow our economy,” said Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
A legacy of innovation in AI
The name of the award comes from the world’s first stored program computer, built in 1948 at the University of Manchester, known as Manchester baby.
In its first program, the Small Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM), or “the baby”, it took 52 minutes, performing 3.5 million calculations before arriving at the correct answer, making it the first computer to world to execute a program electronically. stored in its memory.
“Manchester is the birthplace of the world’s first modern computer and has inspired countless innovations in computing,” says Hunt. “I hope that this award will in turn inspire the next generation to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges.” »
Talents in all sectors
The inaugural Manchester Prize was open to entrants from December 2023 to February 1, 2024, with the grand prize announced in March 2025. The prize is an open competition aimed at inspiring entries from a broad community of innovators and inviting competitive British talent in all sectors.
In April this year, up to ten entries will be selected to become finalists, each of whom will win a £100,000 prize to develop their ideas into a working prototype. One of these teams will advance to win the grand prize.
“The Government has already provided £3.75 million for AI-powered decarbonisation projects, and this new competitive funding is an exciting opportunity to unlock new innovations,” said Energy Minister Andrew Bowie.
These finalists and the winner will be selected based on five judging criteria to ensure that the most promising solutions are celebrated. These cover how the finalists’ innovative solutions are compared to existing technology, the impact of the solution, long-term viability, feasibility of delivering a working prototype and evidence of safe and ethical AI development.
Finalists will have access to a pool of free computing power to deliver their solutions, as well as opportunities to interact with key stakeholders, potential investors and users of their technology within the public and private sectors to share their knowledge and encourage collaboration.
“In the coming years we will undoubtedly see fascinating and impactful applications of AI that will have a profound impact on our lives, society and the planet,” said Nick Jennings, chair of the Manchester Prize jury. “Science and technology work best when multiple perspectives and ideas come together. Encouraging innovation and collaboration is the aim of the Manchester Prize, and I can’t wait to see who takes part.
Decarbonize the energy sector
Facilitating the installation of electric vehicles (EVs) by optimizing charging methods or reducing household energy consumption are just a few examples in which the use of AI can identify opportunities to reduce costs for consumers or reduce emissions.
With the growing urgency to reduce emissions to meet net zero targets, AI technology plays a crucial role in decarbonizing the energy sector, while also contributing to infrastructure development United Kingdom Technical Authority.
“AI could help us take advantage of the incredible progress we’ve made in decarbonizing our energy system,” Bowie says. “From forecasting solar power generation in real time to better grid management, technology has huge potential to help reduce emissions by 2030.”
As the prize continues to welcome applications from across all sectors in the UK, its ambition is to foster the continuation of pioneering work that will help address key societal challenges in a future marked by climate change and digital transformation , for which the potential of AI to provide solutions is only at the beginning.
For more information about the Manchester Prize and how to enter before February 1, 2024, visit manchesterprize.org.
