In collaboration with CYENS – Centre of Excellence and the Nicosia Municipality Multifunctional Foundation, we are organising an educational activity blended with a hackathon focusing on shaping the future of technology.
You will learn about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, synthetic biology and automation, as well as their impacts. Emerging technologies are having an increased effect on us all so how can we shape this technological wave? At the event you will learn to anticipate future trends and steer the development and use of a range of emerging technologies.
Building on our previous AI for the Common Good programme, Tech for Humanity aims to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to envision a world where technology serves as a catalyst for positive change.
We invite young people aged 18–35 who are passionate about new technologies and interested in innovation and creative problem-solving to work together in interdisciplinary teams and create AI-based recommendations on how technology can be used for the common good.
The event will take place on 22–24 November 2024 in Nicosia.
Who is it for?
Participants must be aged between 18–35 and have an interest in one or more of the following fields:
- Environmental or social sciences: People who support social justice and/or are advocates for environmental and human rights.
- Design or business/entrepreneurship: People who design or develop products or solutions that aim to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. People who can be creative and think outside the box.
- Computer Science or STEM: People who have an interest in sciences and/or computing.
- Communication/new media: People who have an interest in communications and new media.
Note: There is no need to be an expert on AI, new technologies or multimedia to participate as the event will involve training in fundamental AI principles. We are looking for people with diverse backgrounds. Mentors from CYENS – Centre of Excellence will support each team through the process.
How it works
Participants will form teams and receive input from our expert Mike Lloyd on AI-driven technologies, their effects and how to humanise these technologies.
Teams will create a video with a message for leaders and influencers to help shape the future of technology. There will be a selection process and the winning team will be awarded a study visit to Edinburgh, where all the winning teams of the Tech for Humanity events across Europe will meet.
What is in it for you?
- Two and a half creative days, where you will have the chance to meet new people, learn more about emerging technologies and apply your knowledge to create a video message for the world.
- The opportunity to win a study visit to Edinburgh and meet other teams from similar events in Europe.
- Food and coffee to energise you.
What is required
Participants should:
- have a good understanding of English as the event will be in English
- bring their personal laptops and mobile phones – tablets are not advised
- have the latest version of Windows or MacOS installed on their laptops (Linux is not supported), and either a webcam or a smartphone with a high-definition video capability
- be able to fully attend all days of the event.
You will be sent pre-event instructions for accessing online assets and platforms, which you will need to test prior to joining.
When and where
The event will take place on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2024 in two locations.
On Friday 22 November, the event will take place at KEEAED in Nicosia, and on 23–24 November it will take place at the Nicosia Municipal Multifunctional Centre.
Participants are expected to be present for the whole duration of the event.
How to apply
To take part in the event, complete the online application form by Wednesday 13 November 2024 (23.00 Cyprus time).
Please note that places are limited.
We will notify successful applicants by the evening of Thursday 14 November.
Our UK expert
Our trainer Mike Lloyd is a leading expert in technology and will assist teams in facilitating their ideas and transforming them into real solutions based on AI. Mike is a technology leader and Fellow of the British Computer Society. His passion lies in democratising Deep Tech. Mike started his career in engineering, spent a decade teaching in schools and at the Open University, and then held a senior international position at Microsoft for over a decade.
Mentors
George Dimoglou
George is a photographer and videographer. He works as a Multimedia Officer at CYENS, where he documents all activities, events and research projects for marketing purposes.
Sophia Koni
Sophia serves as a Project Officer at CYENS and has honed her expertise in digital transformation initiatives across various industries, focusing on unlocking valuable business insights, enhancing efficiency and accelerating innovation. More specifically, she has worked on the development of digital solutions, including automation, data engineering and analytics, utilising both code environments (Python, R) and low-code platforms (Microsoft Power Platform).
Kyriakos Mosphilis
Kyriakos is a Research Assistant at CYENS and is interested in explainable AI (XAI), using logic based approaches for reasoning, learning and explainability, and nature-inspired algorithms – such as genetic algorithms and evolution strategies for optimisation – the emerging field of quality diversity (QD), with the aim of finding optimal and diverse solutions on a given problem.
Haris Psallidopoulos
Haris is a Research Assistant at CYENS, focusing on virtual reality environments. Haris possesses expertise in coding, academic research, Unity development and UI/UX design. Additionally, he has practical experience with 3D printing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and the testing of aerospace, defence and tactical equipment manufacturing.
Marios Thoma
Marios is a Research Associate at CYENS, specialising in neural-symbolic AI, which aims to enhance the robustness and explainability of artificial intelligence systems. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Open University Cyprus, exploring the intersection of neural-symbolic integration, biology and evolution.
Our partners
The programme is delivered in collaboration with CYENS – Centre of Excellence and the Nicosia Municipality Multifunctional Foundation. The latter is a partner within the framework of the Information and Training Center for Employment and Entrepreneurial Activity – KEEAED project, which is co-funded by the European Union.
It is also supported by the Cyprus University of Technology, the University of Cyprus, the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, European University Cyprus, the University of Nicosia and Frederick University.
The event is powered by Synthesia.
Information
For more information, please contact Marilena Kyriakou at Marilena.Kyriakou@cy.britishcouncil.org.