Two thirds of people want to see the UK become a clean energy superpower (64 per cent), and for the UK to make enough clean energy to export it to other countries (65 per cent).

The findings from Opinium on behalf of the Manchester Prize found 39 per cent also want the UK to prioritise leading other economies in developing clean tech.

Named after the first stored-program electronic digital computer, known as Baby, that ran its first program in Manchester, and the birthplace of modern computing, the Manchester Prize is a multi-million pound, multi-year challenge prize funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to reward UK-led breakthroughs in artificial intelligence for public good. Every year for a decade, it is rewarding innovations that will help to transform the lives of people across the UK and continue to secure the UK’s place as a global leader in cutting-edge innovation.

The first Manchester Prize was launched in December 2023, seeking breakthrough ideas for overcoming challenges in the fields of energy, environment and infrastructure. The winner of the £1 million grand prize for the first Manchester Prize will be announced in March 2025.

Now in its second year, the second Manchester Prize will be awarded to the most innovative and impactful AI solution enabling the UK to accelerate progress towards a net-zero energy system.

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