In addition to the Golden Nicas of Prix Ars Electronica 2026, the AI for Social Impact Initiative, a collaboration between CARE Austria & Ars Electronica, will be awarded for the first time as part of Prix Ars Electronica. A total of four award winners will be honoured: two projects will each receive 5,000 EUR, and two further projects will each receive 2,500 EUR. The projects will be selected from all submissions to the Prix Ars Electronica 2026 and the S+T+ARTS Prize 2026.
The AI for Social Impact Initiative (a successor to the STARTS Prize Africa) seeks projects that explore how artificial intelligence can contribute to concrete, positive change in social, environmental, and humanitarian contexts. Launched by CARE Austria in collaboration with Ars Electronica, the initiative aims to connect artistic imagination, technological innovation, and development practice, supporting ideas that are grounded in real-world conditions and oriented toward practical application.
The initiative highlights projects originating from, or developed in close collaboration with, regions such as Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. The organisers are especially interested in projects that demonstrate cooperation between individuals, collectives, and organisations across sectors and address social or environmental challenges rooted in local contexts.
Submissions do not need to present fully functional prototypes, but must go beyond purely speculative or theoretical proposals. Some selected projects may be invited to collaborate with CARE through a workshop at a CARE field office. Subject to available funding, selected teams may also be invited to submit a follow-up application for a development grant to further advance their project toward a functional prototype or application.
Extended deadline
