Sponsoring Institution: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

Type: Story writing competition

Eligibility:  Anyone between the ages of 13-29

Application Deadline: Mid July

Highlight: Attention everyone interested in challenging their brain to predict the future! The “Sci-fAI Futures” Youth Challenge, organized by the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs, provides young people from ages 13-29 with the opportunity to compete in a creative challenge that allows them to be creative about what the future would look like in the presence of AI. The “Sci-fAI Futures” Youth Challenge is a creative challenge for young people to participate in from anywhere in the world. This challenge requires the participant to either write a sci-fi story with up to 2145 words or make up a short visual story like a comic-style graphic novel with up to 6 pages. Participants are invited to share their ideas on future implications regarding AI development to the military domain through their writing. These stories or graphic novels should be set in the year 2145 and a few themes to focus on include armed conflict, responsible innovation, and human-centered approaches to disarmament. The whole point of this creative challenge is for young minds to discuss and think about the risks and benefits of having AI involved with international security and the military. By submitting a story or graphic novel, participants have the opportunity to win various prizes, including $500 for 4 first-place winners, $250 for 4 honorable prize winners, and a trip to Seoul (South Korea) for all 8 winners with all travel expenses being covered for. This all-included invitation to Seoul is an opportunity for the winners to present their vision at the Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit (REAIM 2024). By participating in this creative challenge, students will be able to express their thoughts on AI being involved with the military and be creative with their writing. Applications open in May and applications are accepted through July 15th, so start thinking about what the year 2145 could look like if AI permeates the military domain!