The UC Tech community includes many creators who are making significant progress in advancing their work through AI. In recognition of UC’s leadership in this area, the UC Tech Awards Program is expanding with the introduction of the AI Impact Award. Since 2001, the UC Tech Awards have celebrated IT innovation and achievement across the University of California. In 2025, the program will feature eight award categories:
- AI Impact (new)
- DEI Leadership
- Design
- Innovation
- IT Security
- Operational Excellence
- Sustained Impact (individuals only)
- UC Collaboration
About the AI Impact Award
The AI Impact Award honors an individual or team for developing an AI-driven solution that exemplifies value creation. The winning project must address a unique use case, effectively solve a business challenge, and uphold UC AI Principles, including transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy, and non-discrimination.
Judging criteria
Applications will be judged based on the following three criteria:
1. Complexity – How challenging was the problem addressed?
- Clear articulation of the challenge or problem
- Distinctive aspects of the solution, such as:
- Technical complexity
- Coordination of multiple stakeholders or navigating complex relationships
- Consideration of the UC environment, including location and department/unit
- Creation of a unique and reliable solution to overcome these challenges
2. Impact – What was the scope and effectiveness of the solution?
- Number of individuals, systems, or processes affected
- Depth of impact (extent of change on affected individuals, systems, or processes)
- Longevity of impact over time
- Whether the solution is novel and has been adopted elsewhere within UC or beyond
3. Mission Alignment – How does the project support the university’s mission and relate to the award category itself?
- Demonstration of how the person or project advances UC’s mission of serving California and the world
- Explanation of why AI was the right solution for the problem
- Alignment with UC AI Principles, including transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy and non-discrimination
Next steps and deadlines
The winners (one Gold and one Silver award) will be announced at the UC Tech Conference on June 26, 2025, at UC Riverside.
📅 Application & Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
The CIO Council is excited to receive applications and nominations from across UC, reinforcing its commitment to advancing impactful AI solutions.
Apply or Nominate a Colleague!
Have you used AI to solve a business challenge? Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Would you like to support the growth of impactful AI across UC?
👉 Apply or Nominate a Colleague Here (link to UC Tech Awards Program Announcement Page)
Info Sessions: Learn More & Meet Past Winners
Join an info session via Zoom to ask questions, meet past award winners, and connect with the program director.
📆 Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 4-4:30 p.m. [📍 Zoom registration link]
📆 Tuesday, February 26, 2025, 11-11:30 a.m. [📍 Zoom registration link]
🎤 Host: UC Office of the President
📩 Contact: Laurel Skurko (Laurel.Skurko@UCOP.edu)
For additional inquiries, please contact:
Laurel Skurko
Program Director, UC Tech Awards 2025
📧 Laurel.Skurko@UCOP.edu
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