Dida launches innovation challenge to UK universities

Students can win trip to China with AI travel tech specialist

AI-first travel technology group Dida has opened applications for an innovation challenge aimed at UK university students.

The Chinese firm’s Future of Travel challenge, in partnership with Headstart Global, is designed to encourage students to reimagine the future of global travel through creativity, innovation, and technology.

Teams of students from universities - including the London School of Economics, University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick and the University of Manchester - are among those seeking to develop and submit solutions across three innovation streams: AI-powered travel, sustainable tourism and future accommodation design.

The finals will take place on 1 November 2025 at the Shangri-La Hotel, London, where the top nine teams will pitch their concepts to a panel of judges from Dida’s global executive leadership.

Winners will receive cash prizes and an all-expenses-paid Insight Week at Dida’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, China, giving them hands-on exposure to AI applications and product development expertise helping to shape the future of travel.

Daryl Lee, Group chief executive of Dida Holdings, said: “The future of travel belongs to those who can combine technology, creativity, and human insight.

“Through this challenge, we’re giving students the opportunity to experience how global travel is being transformed from the inside out - not just through AI, but through the ideas and imagination of the next generation.

“Dida has always been driven by innovation, and this initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing the brightest young minds who will define the next era of travel tech.”