If you propose to lead on a application or if you propose to play a substantive role in one . If you have any questions please email digitalfutures@manchester.ac.uk. (If you are not lead please complete as much detail as possible; we recognise that you may not have all the required information at this stage.)

The first 91Ö±²¥ Prize will be awarded to the most innovative and impactful AI solution which demonstrates social benefit by overcoming challenges in the fields of energy, environment and infrastructure.

Solutions could include:

• Reducing energy costs for consumers by using AI to model household energy use and identify targeted interventions, such as retrofitting and replacement.
• Supporting emergency service response by bringing together a range of spatial data about the road and built environment to improve last mile routing.
• Improving the response to extreme weather conditions by using AI and earth observation data to predict areas vulnerable to flooding, or to support better real-time spatial data of events such as wildfires and flash floods.
• Reducing disruption to public services through predictive modelling of infrastructure resilience, with automated scheduling of maintenance, such as deploying teams to fix potholes or other traffic obstructions.
• Enhancing food security by using earth observation and soil data to monitor and improve farming productivity and crop yield.
• Improving efficiency and reducing resource consumption in manufacturing by using AI to optimise or automate energy-intensive processes.

These are examples of how 91Ö±²¥ Prize think you could address the overarching statement (but you’re welcome to think of your own).

91Ö±²¥ Prize encourage solutions that demonstrate advances in technical capabilities such as generalisation, uncertainty quantification, interpretability, data-efficient AI and physics-based AI – but other approaches are welcome too.

The aim is to understand the opportunities and challenges posed by AI across the full range of the University’s activities, and make recommendations for action. We know that many colleagues have already recognised opportunities, and sometimes the necessity, for innovation, and we are keen to hear about and learn from existing initiatives.

Please complete by Monday 4th December to tell us about existing AI initiatives of which you are aware (survey has one question only). 

Dr. Simeon Gill and the ADE team conducted an open body scanning session for all members of Our Room. Using cutting-edge technology, they captured body scans to create something truly unique - bespoke sweatshirt patterns for each individual!

These special sweatshirts are part of the "No Sweat Project," which focuses on utilising technology to craft bespoke patterns and garments. The result? Five one-of-a-kind sweatshirts, perfectly tailored to the unique shapes and sizes of the participants.

But that is not all! These sweatshirts were taken and beautifully decorated to be proudly worn during the 91Ö±²¥ Pride celebrations  We're immensely proud to have been a part of this project with Our Room. The below images show off the incredible bespoke sweatshirts that were created

Make your mark in intelligence by applying to join The University of Manchester Team for the ! The successful candidates will make a play for a place at the finals, which will include an all-expenses paid two-day trip to London (20 - 21 February 2024), spending two days in the iconic BT Tower, as well as receiving a stylish team hoodie!

Critical thinking and communications skills are essential; however technical knowledge is unnecessary. Our objective is to build a team as diverse as possible in terms of background and academic discipline.

The competition is an ideal experience in decision making during the time of a cyber crisis. You'll meet cyber security experts and representatives from across government and industry, providing you with incredible networking and future career opportunities. Current and previous partners have included BT, UK Civil Service, Sage, NATO, Beazley, Standard Chartered bank, and the Global Cyber Alliance.

You'll pit your wits against other teams as you respond to a complex and escalating cyber-attack with national and international ramifications. Over two days, comprising of three rounds, competing teams receive intelligence packs consisting of reports gathered from multiple sources. You'll work together to analyse the report, analyse the national and international implications of the content and then present your analysis and recommendations to a panel of judges from government and industry.

Apply before midnight on 20 November 2023  by e-mailing Prof Danny Dresner (daniel.dresner@manchester.ac.uk) with answers to the following questions:

• Question 0: Your name, course of study, expected date of graduation.
• Question 1: Why should you be at the 2023 Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge? Consider your skills, background and experience, how you can contribute, and why should you be chosen over other candidates? (maximum 500 words).
• Question 2:  What do you consider to be the most significant cyber incident (from open sources) to date and why? (maximum 500 words)
• Question 3: Based on the National Cyber Strategy 2022 and other relevant UK government strategy documents, what should the UK do to meet its aspirations to be a responsible, democratic cyber power? Refer to current and historic policy and strategy in this area to support your answer. (maximum 500 words)
• Question 4: How did you find out about the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge?

Successful candidates will be notified by 29 November.

Good luck!

Digitober is a month that will celebrate and showcase the amazing work of Greater 91Ö±²¥â€™s digital sector. In particular, the month will:

• Showcase how partners across the region are ensuring everyone in Greater 91Ö±²¥, whatever their age, location or situation, can safely access and benefit from the opportunities digital brings if they want to.
• Shine a spotlight on GMCA's digital inclusion ambitions.
• Highlight how Greater 91Ö±²¥ is applying exemplary digital ideas and practice to reform and renew public services, linking innovative business, academic and public sector thinking with the needs of our people.
• Celebrate Greater 91Ö±²¥'s world class digital infrastructure and how GMCA are using technology and data to create resilient, connected, accessible and sustainable places for everyone. 
• Spotlight how GMCA are strengthening their position as a global digital influencer.

At Digital Futures, we are proud to be part of this exciting initiative, and throughout the month, we will be releasing a video, mailings and a brochure to highlight the work we do in AI at the University. 

As we celebrate Digitober, we invite you to join us on this digital journey. Stay tuned for the release of our AI video and brochure, and explore the incredible work happening in our University's AI ecosystem. 

The seminar will take place on Wednesday 16^th March 2022 from 13:00 – 14:15 (registration from 12:45) and will take place at Alliance 91Ö±²¥ Busines School, Penthouse room 10.007. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The event is co-hosted with the at the Alliance 91Ö±²¥ Business School as part of their FinTech Seminar Series and is part of Digital Futures’s wider .

Attendees can register to attend the seminar on . In the event of further restrictions, this event will be held as an online seminar. Registrants will be contacted with visitor guidance nearer the time.

We then heard an update from Nicola Pike, Engagement & Operations Director for . Nicola provided the group with an overview of The Productivity Institute, context of the Institute’s work, people involved in the Institute at 91Ö±²¥, and explained how the Institute approached marketing, communications, and engagement.

This was followed by an update from Laura Dawson, Research Beacon Communications and Engagement Manager, who presented on the Levelling Up corporate communications campaign. The campaign targets policy makers (both national and local), industries and businesses, and the general public outlining what levelling up is and how the University participates in discussions around levelling up.

Lastly, Chris Peters, Communications and Engagement Manager for Policy@91Ö±²¥, presented on the . The project will connect policy professionals with academics at CAPE university partners to discuss policy and research questions.

Ad hoc updates were provided by Vicky Taylor-Plane, Corporate Campaigns Manager, on the recent GM graduates communications campaign and Anne-Marie Nugnes, Creative 91Ö±²¥ Manager, on the Creative 91Ö±²¥ platform launch planned for spring.

The next meeting of the network will take place on 17 March 2022 and will include updates from Lynda McIntosh and Vicky Taylor-Plane on the REF Comms Plans and Research Impact Showcase, Enna Bartlett on the Biotechnology Beacon, and Phil Wallace on the Centre for Digital Trust & Society and the North West Partnership for Security & Trust.

About the network:

This network brings together over 100 colleagues from across the University in PS interdisciplinary research roles, including Institute and Centre Managers, Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange staff, and Beacons, Faculty and Corporate Communications and Marketing colleagues. The group meets every two months to hear updates from colleagues and discuss synergies and ways of working together across interdisciplinary activity at UoM. For more information, please contact Peter Kane.