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DisTec Challenge 2024

Distec Challenge

The DisTec Challenge for 2024 was hosted and run in collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl). They identified two challenge areas to support their visions of the future, with a primary emphasis on refining training methodologies and integrating state-of-the-art technologies for the future workforce. The challenge aimed to address real-world issues faced by today's end-users.

Beyond simply transmitting knowledge, Dstl was looking to understand how Defence could create, enhance, and deliver the social aspects of learning in a virtual classroom, learning from other industries. Were you interested in joining us in London this April?

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Announcing DisTec Challenge finalists

We are delighted to announce the four finalists who will be presenting their solutions on stage at IT²EC on 10 April 2024. To see the finalists' entries in full, check out the DisTec agenda here. 

eduworks   Maxres   mission decisions   Obrizum

 

All finalists were selected anonymously by the Challenge judges and the winner of the DisTec Challenge 2024 will be announced live at IT²EC on April 10th.

Challenge title: Pixels & Personalities - Realising the social aspects of a future virtual classroom

1. AI tutors - personalised learning using AI instructors

This includes:

  • Context awareness
  • Co-operative systems
  • Virtual Assistants
  • Speaker recognition
  • Bots as microservices

2. Social learning through virtual classrooms

This includes:

  • Conferencing
  • Presence Technologies      
  • Enterprise Collaboration suites
  • Mobile collaboration applications
  • Social networking tools
  • Virtual worlds
  • Tele-immersion
  • Shared environments

DisTec Challenge reward

All DisTec Challenge entrants will benefit from significant exposure to Dstl. This includes increased brand/project awareness to the public sector and wider defence training and technology community. 

What do our finalists enjoy?

  • Speaking opportunity at the DisTec Theatre and opportunity to demonstrate physical products.
  • Full Speaker registration (including access to the exhibition, main conference and catering)
  • Prolonged exposure on the event website
  • Profile in the DisTec Challenge literature/website and DisTec agenda
  • Associated promotion on social media channels

The Grand Prize?

The DisTec Challenge winner will receive a free-of-charge stand at IT²EC 2025.

DisTec Challenge

More about the submission process

Eligibility criteria:

  • Submitted technologies can either be existing products not currently utilised in the Defence market or the UK, or new innovative disruptive technologies addressing the challenge outlined.

Download official rules guide

Key dates and timelines:

  • 31st January 2024 - Submissions Open
  • 8th March 2024 - Submissions Close (12:00 GMT)
  • 22 March 2024 - Finalists Selected 
  • 10th April 2024 - Live Presentations & Announcement of Winner

Entry and Judging Criteria

Submissions were judged by the Future Workforce & Training (FWT) programme team at Dstl. All submissions were provided to the judging panel anonymously by the Lead Conference Producer to prevent bias. 

To maintain fairness, photographs and videos will be excluded and judging will be conducted anonymously. Participants must comply with the Official Rules and abide by decisions made by the Host and Judges.

Winner selection process

Finalists were invited to pitch their solutions and innovations on stage at the DisTec Theatre on April 10, 2024.

The IT²EC community was invited to watch the Challenge live from the DisTec Theatre, and Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall CBE, Senior Defence Advisor, announced the winner.

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