Guidelines for Entrants of The National AI Awards 2026

The National AI Awards is a celebration of excellence and innovation for those who are committed to artificial intelligence. To ensure a fair and transparent judging process and to maximise the potential for recognition of outstanding achievements, entrants are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

Eligibility:

1. Entrants must meet the eligibility criteria specified for each award category. Please review the eligibility requirements carefully before submitting your nomination.

Submission Deadline:

2. All nominations must be submitted by the deadline specified for each award category. Late submissions will not be considered.

Accuracy and Completeness:

3. Ensure that all information provided in the nomination form is accurate, complete, and relevant to the award category. Include supporting documentation or evidence, where applicable, to substantiate your nomination.

Confidentiality:

4. Treat all information provided in the nomination form as confidential. Do not include sensitive or proprietary information that you are not authorised to disclose.

Originality and Ownership:

5. By submitting a nomination, you affirm that you have the legal right to do so and that the content of your nomination is original and does not infringe upon any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights.

We permit nominations supported by AI-written content; however, the person submitting must verify all information to ensure its accuracy, and all supporting elements such as evidence and metrics must be derived from company records, not fabricated by AI. We also encourage you to use your own unique tone of voice, rather than relying on the voice of tools like ChatGPT.

Consent:

6. Obtain consent from all individuals or organisations mentioned in the nomination, including any references or testimonials provided. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to share their information.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations:

7. Ensure that your nomination and any accompanying materials comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including those related to data protection and privacy.

Respect for Judges and Organisers:

8. Treat judges, organisers, and fellow entrants with respect and professionalism. Do not attempt to influence the judging process or engage in any behaviour that may compromise the integrity of the Event.

Communication:

9. Keep lines of communication open with Event organisers and judges. Respond promptly to requests for additional information or clarification, and notify organisers of any changes to your nomination.

Acceptance of Judging Results:

10. Accept the final judging results with grace and respect, regardless of the outcome. The decisions of the judges are final and binding.

Award Rules

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free, educational and enjoyable event experience for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion. 

All communication and interactions should be appropriate for a professional audience. Comments or images that are defamatory, slanderous, discriminatory, obscene or of a sexual nature are prohibited. 

By participating in the Event as a guest, you agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

Respectful Behaviour:

1. Treat all attendees, organisers, staff, and fellow guests with respect and courtesy. Harassment, abuse, discrimination, or any form of disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.

Inclusivity:

2. Embrace diversity and inclusivity. The Event welcomes attendees of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. Be mindful of your words and actions to ensure that everyone feels welcome and valued.

Professionalism:

3. Maintain professionalism in your interactions with others. Refrain from engaging in disruptive or inappropriate behaviour that may detract from the Event experience.

Compliance with Policies:

4. Adhere to all Event policies, guidelines, and instructions provided by organisers and staff. Failure to comply with Event policies may result in removal from the premises.

Privacy and Confidentiality:

5. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of fellow attendees and Event participants. Refrain from recording, photographing, or sharing sensitive or private information without explicit consent.

Responsible Consumption:

6. Consume alcoholic beverages responsibly. Intoxicated behaviour that disrupts the Event or compromises the safety of others will not be tolerated. If you have consumed alcohol and require assistance, please let the organisers know for assistance. Substance Abuse The use or dissemination of illegal drugs of any kind is strictly prohibited. Anyone found with or using illegal substances will be removed from the venue and banned from all future events.

Compliance with Laws:

7. Abide by all laws and regulations while attending the Event. Illegal or unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in legal consequences.

Reporting Concerns:

8. Report any violations of this Code of Conduct or any concerns regarding the behaviour of others to Event organisers or staff immediately. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Commercial Confidence 

To alleviate concerns, we require all judges to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), and they will not be able to judge a category that their company has entered. Any conflicts of interest are also challenges and disclosed before assigning them entries. Judges do not have access to categories they are not allocated to Judge.

Please mark and highlight anything that should not be disclosed by either our journalists or on screens during the ceremony with 'judges eyes only'. Where stated that content cannot be marked as Judges Eyes Only (JEO) in the entries, please note that this information may become public should you win. This information is used by our content and marketing team to help with elements such as winner bios and post-event communications. 

We appreciate your participation and look forward to recognising and celebrating excellence in Artificial Intelligence at The National AI Awards.

By submitting a nomination to The National AI Awards, you acknowledge and agree to comply with these guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in disqualification from the Event.