UCL Computer Science hosted its annual Student Showcase, where second-year and final-year undergraduate students presented projects developed as part of their studies. The event marks an important milestone in the academic year, giving students the opportunity to share progress and receive feedback from academic staff and industry partners before their projects reach their final stage later in the term.
Projects presented this year explored themes including affordable and equitable AI PC applications for EdTech and SEND, alongside humanitarian-focused data science initiatives developed in collaboration with organisations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other international charities.
Collaboration with industry and public-sector partners
The Showcase provides a space for students, researchers and industry partners to exchange ideas and discuss emerging challenges in AI and technology. Throughout the day, visiting professionals engaged with student teams on topics ranging from open-source AI to inclusive education technologies.
Conversations included NHS doctors speaking with representatives from Intel and IBM about the future of open-source AI, while partners from Cisco and Microsoft explored new directions in EdTech and SEND innovation with student teams.
Student pitches and live demonstrations
Final-year students delivered a series of fast-paced project pitches to visiting companies, hosted by Professor Ivana Drobnjak. Meanwhile, second-year students spent the majority of the day in the UCL Tech for Good labs, demonstrating their projects and engaging with visitors as they approached the final stages of development.
Students responded confidently to questions and feedback, demonstrating strong technical understanding and professionalism as they refined their work ahead of final submission.
Dr Sanat Kumar Nagaraju from the Office of the CTO at NTT DATA joined the afternoon session and reflected on the students’ energy and technical command. One final-year presentation on simulation and telemetry systems for rocket landing technologies stood out in particular, delivered confidently without slides — described as “perhaps a Steve Jobs in the making”.
Industry and clinical perspectives
Feedback from partners reflected the overall quality and ambition of the Showcase, as well as the value of collaboration between students, industry and the public sector.
John McNamara, Master Inventor at IBM and UCL Honorary Professor, described the event as an “absolutely stellar showcase — innovative and inspirational”.
Julia Manning, Honorary Professor, clinician and policy adviser within the NHS, highlighted the impact of the projects developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals:
“Always so impressive to see ideas from NHS clinicians turned into solutions by the Computer Science students — amazing work and brilliant academic and industry support.”
Celebrating student innovation
The department extends its thanks to colleagues and partners from IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, the National Autistic Society, NTT DATA, Avanade, the NHS and many others who attended and offered thoughtful feedback and encouragement to students.
The Student Showcase is an annual highlight for UCL Computer Science, celebrating the creativity, technical ambition and collaborative spirit of its students. It offers a glimpse into the next generation of AI systems engineers, working on projects that connect cutting-edge research with real-world challenges.
UCL IXN Undergraduate Student Showcase 2026
