DualTech Challenge
The DualTech Challenge will return for its third iteration at ITEC 2026, marking its return to London and continuing its collaboration with Dstl. In 2024, Dstl set the DualTech Challenge, and since then the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has increased the focus on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in defence.

Building on Dstl's previous 2024 challenge, the 2026 edition seeks to identify how AI can be applied to Defence Learning, with a specific focus on learner-facing applications.

Submissions will be assessed by Dstl and Front Line Command Stakeholders. Three finalists will be selected by a Dstl-led judging panel to showcase their innovations live on stage at ITEC 2026.

The winner will receive a commendation and a complimentary pod at ITEC 2027, offering unparalleled credibility and exposure within the industry.

Submit Your Entry (opens in a new tab)

 

Challenge area: How can AI be used in Defence Learning?

The Challenge looks beyond the transmission of knowledge alone, aiming to understand how defence can further integrate AI into the classroom environment. Submissions are welcomed from academia, SMEs, and research organisations that demonstrate how defence can accelerate its understanding and adoption of AI to enhance learning delivery.

Of particular interest are submissions that consider:

  • Human-centric AI solutions
  • AI as an extension of human instruction
  • Systems that incorporate AI into a wider learning ecosystem

In early 2025 the UK Government published the AI Opportunities Action Plan in which it sets out the ambition to exploit the potential of AI tools and technologies to support the public sector. This aim is also shared by defence who recognise, that there is a strategic requirement to prevent the UK from falling further behind competitors and allies with regards to exploitation of technologies such as AI (MOD, 2022). Their specific priorities are set out in the defence Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2022) and include achieving:

  • “Decision Advantage- Increase operational tempo and agility through better-informed and distributed decision-making and machine-speed responses to threats.
  • Efficiency- Improve flexibility, productivity and availability through intelligent automation.
  • Unlocking New Capabilities- Secure operational advantage by developing novel ways to operate, deliver enhanced military effect and protect our people from harm.
  • Empower the Whole Force- Reduce burdens and focus human talents on higher value functions requiring ingenuity, contextual thinking and judgement.”

Submissions that can demonstrate how they align with these Strategic priorities will be favourably received.
 

Submit Your Entry (opens in a new tab)

2026 Collaborator - DSTL

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the UK Ministry of Defence’s in‑government science and technology organisation. Part of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, Dstl delivers critical scientific insight and innovative solutions that enhance UK defence and security. By working across government, industry, academia and international partners, Dstl helps identify risks, solve complex problems and strengthen sovereign capabilities to ensure UK warfighting readiness in an increasingly complex world.

Testimonial

A great experience and a great opportunity for us as small businesses to be able to be in.

- Jamie Anderson, MAXRES 

 Testimonial

The Reward

Each finalist will receive: 

  • Speaking opportunity at the DualTech 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 DualTech Challenge literature/website and DualTech agenda 

  • Associated promotion on social media channels 

The Grand Prize

The DualTech Challenge winner will receive a commendation and a complimentary pod at ITEC 2027.

Submit Your Entry (opens in a new tab)

 

DualTech Challenge

Entry and Judging Criteria

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

To enter, submit a short description of your solution (up to 650 words), discussing how to address the challenge area. The title can be of the product or how this challenge is addressed. 

If selected as a finalist, you will be invited to present your solution on stage in the DualTech Theatre. 

All entrants must be eligible to attend ITEC in person on the 15th of April 2026. Due to security restrictions at the exhibition, entrants must be 18 years or older and successfully pass security checks during event registration. 

All submissions will provided to the judging panel anonymously by the ITEC team to prevent bias. 

All participants must comply with the Official Rules and abide by decisions made by the Host and Judges.
 

Key Timeline:

DualTech Timeline
Testimonial

We got off the stage and we couldn’t thank the organisers because we couldn’t get through
the people that came out of the audience to engage with us, to take business
cards, to understand what we were doing, to get a demo for the rest of their teams.

- Representative from Mission Decisions (2024 Winner)

 Testimonial