SINGULARITY
International AI Essay Contest
Where the next generation defines the future of artificial intelligence.
What Is Singularity?
Founded by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI has empowered 3,200+ students in 160+ countries to understand and engage with artificial intelligence at the highest level. We believe the most important conversations about AI should include the next generation of thinkers - not just the institutions building it.
The Singularity Essay Contest invites exceptional high school students to engage with the most consequential questions of our time. This is not a science fair - it is an intellectual arena. We are looking for clarity of thought, depth of argument, and the courage to take a real position.
Winners receive scholarships to Veritas AI programs - the same programs that have helped students gain acceptance to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and top universities worldwide. Your essay could be the first step toward a future you define.
Why Enter?
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Scholarship Awards Up to $2,490 toward any Veritas AI program - AI Scholars, Fellowship, or Deep Dive.
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Global Recognition Winners featured on the Veritas AI website, recognized across our international community.
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Expert Mentorship Judged by AI researchers and PhD candidates from MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford.
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World-Class Community Join 3,200+ students and 200+ mentors in the global Veritas AI network.
Choose Your Prompt
Select one of the three prompts below. Essays must be exactly 1,500 words (excluding in-text citations and bibliography), MLA 8th edition format.
The Future of AI
How will AI reshape human civilization over the next 25 years, and what choices must we make today to shape that future? Consider how AI might transform work, education, creativity, and human connection. Take a clear position: will this future be defined by abundance and liberation, or by new forms of inequality and displacement?
AI Safety & Risk
Does advanced AI pose an existential risk to humanity, and what does responsible AI development actually look like? Engage with both the technical and ethical dimensions. Consider questions of alignment, control, and who should be held accountable: companies, governments, or international bodies?
AI, Power & Society
How should society govern AI development to serve the common good, rather than concentrate power in the hands of a few? Consider algorithmic bias, surveillance, and the dominance of a handful of corporations and nations. Argue for a specific vision of AI governance: who decides, and by what principles?
What You Can Win
All scholarships apply to any Veritas AI program.
All finalists and above will be featured on the Veritas AI website and recognized across our global community of 3,200+ students and 200+ mentors.
Key Dates
Eligibility & Submission
Who Can Enter
- Open to high school students worldwide (Grades 9 to 12)
- Students must be currently enrolled in high school at time of submission
- No prior AI experience required
- International students welcome - essays must be written in English
- Students may submit only one essay
Submission Requirements
- Essays must be exactly 1,500 words (in-text citations and bibliography excluded)
- MLA 8th Edition citation format required
- Original, unpublished work only
- PDF or Word document (.docx) format
- Include: student name, grade, school name, country, and selected prompt number on cover page
- Submissions accepted via online form only
- No entry fee
Academic Advisory Board
Our judges are AI researchers, PhD candidates, and practitioners from the world's leading institutions.
Caltech PhD in Computing & Mathematical Science. AB Government, Harvard College. Brings a rare lens combining formal reasoning, applied math, and societal impact of AI.
BA & Integrated Masters in Mathematics and Philosophy. Specializes in AI ethics, value alignment, and the philosophical foundations of machine intelligence.
MIT PhD in Mathematics (expected 2025). BS in Mathematics and Physics, University of Toronto. Focuses on the mathematical structures underlying modern machine learning.
Stanford MS & BS in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and information systems. Works at the frontier of applied AI research.
Oxford DPhil in Biology. SM Computer Science and AB in Ontology of Autonomous Systems, Harvard University. Bridges AI, biological systems, and questions of machine agency.
Stanford BS and MS in Computer Science. Focuses on machine learning systems design and the real-world deployment of intelligent applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Singularity Essay Contest is completely free to enter.
No. Each student may submit one essay responding to one prompt.
No prior AI knowledge is required. We are looking for clear thinking, strong argumentation, and genuine engagement with the prompt.
All essays must use MLA 8th Edition format for citations and works cited pages.
The body of the essay counts toward the word limit. The title, works cited page, and cover page information do not count.
Scholarships apply toward any Veritas AI program, including AI Scholars, AI Fellowship, and Deep Dive Programs.
The shortlist will be announced on May 11, 2025. All shortlisted students will be contacted via email. The full award ceremony takes place May 16, 2025.
The award ceremony will be held virtually, allowing winners from around the world to participate.
Ready to Make Your Mark?
Join students from 160+ countries competing for scholarships to the world's leading AI education programs. Submissions close April 26, 2025.
Questions? Contact us at director@veritasai.com