Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has launched the Venture AI Innovators Challenge - a new challenge designed to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence to solve real-world business challenge.
Delivered in collaboration with Tramshed Tech and launched during Wales Week London, the competition will support apprentices, graduates and earlycareer professionals who have taken part in CCR funded skills programmes to develop practical, ethical AI solutions that deliver measurable impact for their employers.
Participants are requested to design and prototype AI powered solutions that address genuine operational issues across key growth sectors including digital and data, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and net zero initiatives.
The winning project will gain a spot on CCR’s AI Enable Programme, helping to turn proof of concept ideas into scalable and deployable solutions. The winner's organisation will will a £1,000 innovation voucher to invest in software or training, £1,500 in career development mentoring for the winner and Amazon vouchers of £250 for the winner and £100 each for the two runners up.
Those taking part will benefit from mentoring from industry experts, access to technical resources and the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of employers, innovation leaders and investors.
Kellie Beirne, CCR’s Chief Executive, said: “The Venture AI Innovators Challenge is about putting talent, technology and opportunity together. We know in South East Wales we have incredible emerging talent and this competition gives them the platform to apply AI in a practical, responsible way that delivers real value for businesses and communities.
“Launching this initiative during Wales Week London sends a clear message, CCR is serious about developing future ready skills and positioning our region at the forefront of applied AI innovation on the UK and international stage.”
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety and MP for Vale of Glamorgan, Kanishka Narayan, said: “Wales is rapidly becoming a real powerhouse for AI innovation, with the South Wales AI Growth Zone set to create thousands of jobs and attract billions in investment. Initiatives like the Venture AI Innovators Challenge show exactly how we keep this momentum going – backing homegrown talent to build practical, responsible AI that boost productivity and sparks new opportunities across the region.
“We’re determined to make the UK the fastest AI-adopting nation in the G7, and that means making sure people everywhere have the skills and support to benefit. By investing in early-career talent here in South East Wales, CCR is helping connect the industries of the future with the workforce of tomorrow.”
