GoodShip* AI Activator Shortlisted for a Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Award

We are excited to announce that GoodShip’s AI Activator programme has been officially shortlisted in the 2026 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards, in the Creative Innovation category. The awards are organised by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to recognise work that has made a significant contribution to culture and creativity across the region. More than 500 nominations were considered this year, and the shortlist includes 55 finalists across 17 different categories.

The Creative Innovation award celebrates work that introduces new ideas, products, processes, or ways of thinking that make a real difference. We are proud that the AI Activator has been recognised in this space alongside world-class cultural, artistic, and technology-driven projects.

What the AI Activator Programme Is

GoodShip’s AI Activator programme was developed in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University Student Futures. It was designed to reimagine the traditional internship model by combining emerging technology with creativity, collaboration, and purpose-led thinking.

Over the course of the one-week pilot programme, 15 students from a range of disciplines came together to:

• Learn how to use AI tools practically and ethically.
• Work on real challenges by applying human-centred communication and creative problem-solving.
• Build prototypes, explore ideation, and present their work with confidence.
• Reflect on wellbeing, purpose, and how they see their future careers.

This blend of technical understanding, soft skills, and purposeful exploration helped participants develop not only job-ready capabilities but also a stronger sense of direction and confidence in their own agency.

Why the Shortlisting Matters

Being shortlisted in the Creative Innovation category highlights the impact of the AI Activator’s approach. Rather than focusing only on technical training, the programme emphasised real-world application, creative exploration, teamwork, and personal growth. It reflects GoodShip’s belief that education, creativity, and ethical technology can work together to prepare people not just for employment, but for meaningful and fulfilling roles in the future world of work.

We are particularly proud that this recognition comes from the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards, which celebrate organisations and individuals that contribute to the cultural and creative life of our area.

What Happens Next

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in June 2026. We are thrilled to be in the running and are hopeful of success on the night. More importantly, this shortlisting reinforces the value of programmes that centre creativity, human potential, and socially driven innovation in tech education.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the pilot, our partners at Liverpool John Moores University, and all those who have supported the AI Activator journey so far.