Introduction
This year we are excited to announce that we are working with the Oxford Foundry and EY to bring you a thoroughly researched and planned AI + Climate Change Impact Weekend, in February 2020!
The OCS committee have been contributing their combined knowledge and expertise to help facilitate your teams to generate and create the best projects over the weekend by:
The OCS committee have been contributing their combined knowledge and expertise to help facilitate your teams to generate and create the best projects over the weekend by:
- participating in a knowledge-gathering round-table on the potential benefits and ethical considerations for AI solutions to climate change, and directing the focus of the event
- defining the challenge and task for the weekend (download below), and researching and writing an evidence-based impact report (download below) looking into the benefits of risks in using AI to tackle climate change for inspiration and reference for the participants in the weekend. These were researched and written by Tristram Walsh (OCS President, MPhys Physics), Alice Evatt (DPhil Philosophy), and Christian Schroeder de Witt (DPhil AI Research, Young Green).
- creating and co-hosting a high-profile panel discussion, on the opening night of the event, covering the potential of AI to combat climate change. A panel of experts from industry, academia, entrepreneurship, and government will address fundamental questions on the use of AI in climate change.
OCS contributing to a round-table offering their knowledge of climate change and AI in the initial phases of shaping the AI Impact Weekend
And now from the Oxford Foundry:
Are you concerned about the climate crisis? Have you ever wondered how AI can be used to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and reduce the worst effects and risks of climate change?
Then you should definitely sign up for the Foundry's third annual AI Impact Weekend being co-developed with OCS, and delivered in collaboration with EY.
Come along and form inter-disciplinary teams and learn how to build innovative, financially viable and ethically responsible AI-based solutions to address one aspect of climate change of your choosing.
You will gain new skills, learn from some brilliant mentors from industry and academia, and could win some amazing prizes!
You can can also find this information at the Foundry's website.
Then you should definitely sign up for the Foundry's third annual AI Impact Weekend being co-developed with OCS, and delivered in collaboration with EY.
Come along and form inter-disciplinary teams and learn how to build innovative, financially viable and ethically responsible AI-based solutions to address one aspect of climate change of your choosing.
You will gain new skills, learn from some brilliant mentors from industry and academia, and could win some amazing prizes!
You can can also find this information at the Foundry's website.
The Task
Over the Weekend, inter-disciplinary teams will design an innovative, financially viable and ethically responsible AI-based solution to address one aspect of global warming of their choosing. Each project should directly address the question of how AI can help limit global warming. Additional reading is provided to participants to help them better understand the various problem areas related to climate change, as well as the opportunities for AI application, to help teams determine their individual projects. For example, projects could include designing an AI solution that will lower emissions and energy demand, increase efficiency, or encourage a shift away from fossil-fuel-based infrastructure and reliance. Another example is designing an AI solution that will encourage increased public or private awareness and help drive climate action to reduce emissions.
Download the reports written by:
Tristram Walsh (OCS President), Alice Evatt (DPhil Philosophy), Christian Schroeder de Witt (DPhil CompSci)
Tristram Walsh (OCS President), Alice Evatt (DPhil Philosophy), Christian Schroeder de Witt (DPhil CompSci)
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Ways to Get Involved
As a student participant, attend the entire weekend and work on a team to build a competitive AI-based climate solution.
As a student mentor, attend parts of the weekend, and provide advice and mentorship to teams as they build their solutions. We are seeking approx. 10-15 student mentors with expertise across 4 key areas: technical, business, societal and creatives to help teams build innovative solutions. As such we welcome students from all backgrounds, for example science, ethics, law, policy, creative, social science, computer science, etc.
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Agenda
Friday 7 February 2020, 3.30pm - 9.00pm
AI educational games, information session, Panel discussion, and team-forming mixer social.
The AI Games are a fantastic chance for you to develop some practical, hands-on skills in using AI, particularly if you are non-techie and have had no experience using AI before!
The Information Session will show you how to access the datasets.
This will be followed by a high-profile panel discussion on the potential of AI to combat climate change. A panel of experts from industry, academia, entrepreneurship, and government will address fundamental questions on the use of AI in climate change. Speakers to be announced soon!
The team mixer will take place in the evening to give you the opportunity to form your team! Grab a drink and mingle, share your thoughts on the use of A.I. for tackling climate change and hear students pitch some of the ideas that you might work on over the course of the weekend.
Saturday 8 February 2020, 9.00am - 9.30pm
A weekend of Solution Building, supported by specialist mentors. Access to datasets from IBM, 1:1 mentoring and expert guidance. Plus a happy hour, food and drink throughout the weekend. You'll work in inter-disciplinary teams of 3-5 people, using your collective skills and the data and materials provided to create an actionable solution which holistically accounts for a range of considerations across four key areas: technical, business viability, societal considerations, and overall innovation.
(Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided)
Sunday 9 February 2020, 8.30am - 7.00pm
Creative problem solving in teams.
Tuesday 11 February 2020 Pitch night and prize giving, 6.00 - 8.00pm
The whole experience wraps up with an exciting pitch event, where student teams present their A.I.-based solution to an audience of peers and professionals, and the expert panel makes a judgement on whose proposal is the strongest.
All events will take place at the Oxford Foundry, and have been developed in collaboration with EY.
Our work complements the University of Oxford's AixSDG initiative
AI educational games, information session, Panel discussion, and team-forming mixer social.
The AI Games are a fantastic chance for you to develop some practical, hands-on skills in using AI, particularly if you are non-techie and have had no experience using AI before!
The Information Session will show you how to access the datasets.
This will be followed by a high-profile panel discussion on the potential of AI to combat climate change. A panel of experts from industry, academia, entrepreneurship, and government will address fundamental questions on the use of AI in climate change. Speakers to be announced soon!
The team mixer will take place in the evening to give you the opportunity to form your team! Grab a drink and mingle, share your thoughts on the use of A.I. for tackling climate change and hear students pitch some of the ideas that you might work on over the course of the weekend.
Saturday 8 February 2020, 9.00am - 9.30pm
A weekend of Solution Building, supported by specialist mentors. Access to datasets from IBM, 1:1 mentoring and expert guidance. Plus a happy hour, food and drink throughout the weekend. You'll work in inter-disciplinary teams of 3-5 people, using your collective skills and the data and materials provided to create an actionable solution which holistically accounts for a range of considerations across four key areas: technical, business viability, societal considerations, and overall innovation.
(Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided)
Sunday 9 February 2020, 8.30am - 7.00pm
Creative problem solving in teams.
Tuesday 11 February 2020 Pitch night and prize giving, 6.00 - 8.00pm
The whole experience wraps up with an exciting pitch event, where student teams present their A.I.-based solution to an audience of peers and professionals, and the expert panel makes a judgement on whose proposal is the strongest.
All events will take place at the Oxford Foundry, and have been developed in collaboration with EY.
Our work complements the University of Oxford's AixSDG initiative
Further Information
WHO IS IT FOR?
Open to ALL current University of Oxford students, undergrads, postgrads, DPhils, both techie and non-techie 🤝. If you're curious about AI, and want to get some real hands-on skills in using emerging tech to address global problems, this is for YOU.
**No previous knowledge of A.I. or associated technologies required**
WHAT DO I GET OUT OF IT?
Here are some of the benefits of taking-part:
😀 Meet new people, mentors, industry and work with people from different disciplines and with different skills
There'll be a fantastic mix of people taking part. Students from all Colleges and Divisions, academia, industry, corporates and entrepreneurs.
🌍 Help solve a vital problem and make a positive difference to society
Use tech for good and use your skills and talent to give back and contribute to society.
💯 Gain new skills
Pick up valuable skills in Ai, communication, pitching, creative problem-solving, data analyse, team-work, and much more to help you in your career journey.
🙌 Be inspired
Meet our inspiring speakers and expert judges and learn from their journeys and experiences.
🎉 Have fun!
Free food and drink throughout the weekend, a happy hour and networking mixer.
🏆 Win Top Prizes!
The team with the best overall solution will win an incredible prize to be announced soon. Previous prizes have included educational week-long trips to Silicon Valley and California's Palm Springs.
The team with the best technical solution will win a £500 cash prize.
The team whose solution has the strongest non-tech solution - including the consideration of the idea's business case, and its societal considerations (e.g. ethical, regulatory and political), as outlined in the judging criteria - will win a £500 cash prize.
Everyone taking part will receive a certificate of participation signed by EY and a goodie bag. 6 finalist teams will receive follow-on support.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A TEAM ALREADY?
No. The majority of students (Undergraduates, Postgraduates, and DPhil's) form their multi-disciplinary teams at our Team Formation Mixer on the Friday evening over drinks and canapes.
Open to ALL current University of Oxford students, undergrads, postgrads, DPhils, both techie and non-techie 🤝. If you're curious about AI, and want to get some real hands-on skills in using emerging tech to address global problems, this is for YOU.
**No previous knowledge of A.I. or associated technologies required**
WHAT DO I GET OUT OF IT?
Here are some of the benefits of taking-part:
😀 Meet new people, mentors, industry and work with people from different disciplines and with different skills
There'll be a fantastic mix of people taking part. Students from all Colleges and Divisions, academia, industry, corporates and entrepreneurs.
🌍 Help solve a vital problem and make a positive difference to society
Use tech for good and use your skills and talent to give back and contribute to society.
💯 Gain new skills
Pick up valuable skills in Ai, communication, pitching, creative problem-solving, data analyse, team-work, and much more to help you in your career journey.
🙌 Be inspired
Meet our inspiring speakers and expert judges and learn from their journeys and experiences.
🎉 Have fun!
Free food and drink throughout the weekend, a happy hour and networking mixer.
🏆 Win Top Prizes!
The team with the best overall solution will win an incredible prize to be announced soon. Previous prizes have included educational week-long trips to Silicon Valley and California's Palm Springs.
The team with the best technical solution will win a £500 cash prize.
The team whose solution has the strongest non-tech solution - including the consideration of the idea's business case, and its societal considerations (e.g. ethical, regulatory and political), as outlined in the judging criteria - will win a £500 cash prize.
Everyone taking part will receive a certificate of participation signed by EY and a goodie bag. 6 finalist teams will receive follow-on support.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A TEAM ALREADY?
No. The majority of students (Undergraduates, Postgraduates, and DPhil's) form their multi-disciplinary teams at our Team Formation Mixer on the Friday evening over drinks and canapes.