Deadline: April 15, 2025

Eligibility: 9-12th graders 

Submissions: Please register for the contest and submit your work at https://apply.ncf.edu/register/ai. Questions may be emailed to ai@ncf.edu. 

Artificial Intelligence: The Intersection of Technology and Imagination

We want to see how you think about—and imagine—the role of AI in our world.  We've come up with four exciting lines of questioning to get you going.  Think about them.  Combine them if you like.  Then send us a short writeup--aim for about 500–700 words. Your submission can be in the form of a short story, a personal essay, or a piece of speculative writing (e.g., a first-person narrative from the future). Show your creativity, voice, and any personal experiences or observations that make your perspective unique.

1.      A Day with AI
Imagine it’s the year 2035 and AI has become seamlessly integrated into everyday life—from personal digital assistants to city-wide networks ensuring efficiency. Write a short story or narrative following a teenager’s day, highlighting how AI assists (or interferes) with their routines, decisions, and relationships. How does AI shape education, communication, transportation—or even hobbies?

2.      My AI Invention
Picture yourself as an inventor tasked with solving a real-world problem using AI. You have a small team (and unlimited imagination!) to design a creative AI solution. Describe the problem you’re solving—anything from climate change to the spread of misinformation to the challenges of remote learning—and outline the key features of your invention. Show us the potential pitfalls, ethical considerations, or everyday benefits.

3.      Prompt Engineering Gone Right (or Wrong)
Prompts are the questions or instructions we give to AI models like ChatGPT, DALL·E, or other generative systems. Write a short story or anecdote about a scenario in which careful prompt engineering leads to an incredible breakthrough—or, alternatively, where a careless prompt causes unexpected chaos. Let your imagination run wild.

4.      AI’s Next Frontier
AI is moving into fields like blockchain, finance, and multi-agent systems. Write a future-focused essay or story exploring how AI might revolutionize one of these areas—whether it’s automating on-chain transactions in Web3 or analyzing the stock market for anomalies. Why is this technology so promising, and where might things go off track?

What We’re Looking For

1.      Creativity & Originality

• How inventively do you approach AI-related ideas?
• Do you bring a fresh perspective or unique voice?

2.      Clarity & Organization

• Is your writing cohesive and easy to follow?
• Do your ideas flow naturally?

3.      Depth of Thought

• Did you explore both potential benefits and drawbacks?
• Does your piece invite deeper thinking about AI’s impact?

4.      Engagement & Personal Connection

• Do you show genuine curiosity or enthusiasm about AI?
• Does your writing style captivate or inspire?

First Prize: $600
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $100
Five Finalists: $50 each

Winners and finalists will be invited to an-all-expenses-paid trip to New College for the Artificial Intelligence Summer Scholars Program, June 22-27, 2025.

In addition, winners and finalists are eligible for full- and partial-tuition undergraduate college scholarships. Winners who apply, are admitted, and enroll at New College will receive a full-tuition scholarship. Finalists who apply, are admitted, and enroll at New College will receive a 50% tuition scholarship.

Submission Guidelines/Process:

Contest entries must be in English.

Submissions must be in .doc, .docx, .pdf, or .rtf format and contain a cover page with student’s name, date of birth, high school, and submission genre. Google Docs are not accepted