‘20 Years, 20 Visions’ invites students to explore artificial intelligence, creativity, and future learning as part of the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the university’s Year of AI 2026.

As classrooms across the UAE continue to adapt to online learning, universities are finding new ways to keep students engaged—beyond lectures and assignments. At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, that response is taking a creative turn.

The university has launched a nationwide short film competition, inviting students to imagine what the next 20 years could look like in an AI-driven world. Titled ‘20 Years, 20 Visions’, the initiative is part of its wider Year of AI 2026 and upcoming 20th anniversary celebrations.

But this isn’t just another student contest. It’s designed as a platform for expression at a time when students are largely learning remotely—giving them a way to explore ideas, experiment with storytelling, and build digital skills while staying connected to their education.

Open to high school students in Grades 10 to 12, as well as university undergraduates across disciplines, the competition challenges participants to create a three-minute film that reflects on the university’s journey—and more importantly, its future. The lens? Artificial intelligence.

Students are encouraged to think broadly: how might AI reshape the way we learn, research, and collaborate? What will campuses feel like in two decades? And how will graduates contribute to a society increasingly shaped by intelligent technologies?

It’s a theme that goes beyond tech students. In fact, the brief actively invites perspectives from across fields—from media and design to humanities—making it as much about storytelling and critical thinking as it is about innovation.

The initiative also aligns closely with the UAE’s long-term ambitions, particularly the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to position the country as a global leader in AI while building a knowledge-based economy.

For students, the benefits go beyond participation. Selected entries will be showcased at university events, while winners will gain access to internships and training opportunities at the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence. There’s also the added incentive of having their work featured on the university’s official platforms—an early boost for anyone building a creative or academic portfolio.

Importantly, the competition doesn’t limit how stories are told. Participants can use live action, animation, archival material, or even AI-powered tools—reflecting the very theme they’re exploring.

Entries are open until 8 June 2026, with winners set to be announced later that month. The shortlisted films will eventually be screened as part of the university’s 20th anniversary celebrations in October, bringing student voices into a much larger institutional milestone.

In many ways, ‘20 Years, 20 Visions’ captures where education is heading right now: less about passive learning, more about participation, creativity, and asking bigger questions about the future.