AI & Real-World Application

Objective  

Your first week focuses on building a practical foundation in artificial intelligence. You will connect with a local organization to identify a challenge in your new community—like product development at a startup, access to urban green spaces, or food pantries—and begin brainstorming potential prototypes of solutions. Through your in-class lessons and time in the field, you’ll begin to understand the people, systems, and contexts connected to a complex problem while developing ethical and grounded practices for working with AI.   

Alongside fellow Global Navigators, you’ll conduct real-world observations to identify examples of AI or digital solutions and analyze their impact on society. By the end of this week, you’ll be equipped with the foundational knowledge and ethical mindset needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of technology and innovation. 

Highlights 

• Experience London’s most iconic landmarks on a classic red double-decker bus 
• Visit the Tower of London, one of the city’s most famous historic landmarks 
• Explore Borough Market, one of London’s oldest and most vibrant food markets

Objective  

In your second week, you will move from understanding a problem to imagining and shaping possible solutions. You will learn practical prototyping methods as you and your team research a potential solution for the local organization. Together, you will generate ideas, compare approaches, and begin identifying prototypes of solutions that are both creative and realistic.  

As you continue in your program, you learn the importance of iteration: trying ideas, gathering feedback, and improving them through reflection and revision. Through it all, you will learn to use AI as a support tool to help reframe challenges and refine concepts, helping you develop the confidence to communicate your ideas clearly.   

Highlights 

• Explore how emerging technologies shape policy, ethics, and governance at the Alan Turing Institute 
• Step into the world of Stranger Things: Catalyst at Sandbox VR  
• Visit Bletchley Park and The National Museum of Computing on an overnight trip to Milton Keynes 
• Take a cruise along the River Thames 

Objective  

In your final week, you will refine your prototype, learning how to sharpen its reasoning and clearly communicate the story of its solution. You will use AI as a partner to help organize ideas, improve the clarity of your reasoning, and tailor your message specifically to the partner organization.   

You will also reflect on what you have learned about responsible AI use, teamwork, human-centered design, and engaging with real-world challenges in an international setting. Together, these experiences equip you with the skills and insights to approach future challenges with creativity, empathy, and responsible innovation. 

Highlights 

• Examine how artificial intelligence is used in healthcare at the Welcome Collection 
• Visit University College London (UCL) and explore its Center for Artificial Intelligence 
• Explore immersive digital art experiences at the Frameless Exhibition  
• Try the AI Animal Chat experience at the Museum of Zoology on a day trip to Cambridge 

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

• Breakfast at your hostel/student accommodation  
• Hands-on training with local instructors and industry experts 
• Real-world observations with community organizations  
• Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators  
• Out and about for a cultural activity or workshop  
• Dinner at the study center or out in the city 

Weekends  

• Overnight or day excursions to top sites  
• Quality time with friends     

Housing  

Hostel/hotel, shared rooms with other Global Navigators