This year’s topic for the annual essay competition was 'Is AI a Threat to Human Creativity?'. It was open to all Oxford undergraduates. Entrants were required to write no more than 1,500 words, providing 'original, thought-provoking essays that offer compelling arguments, critical analyses, and visionary perspectives'. 

The finalists presented their essays on Wednesday 4 December, during the final Lunchtime Research Seminar of term. Xiaolan, who is in the second year of her course at Christ Church, commented: "This achievement would not have been possible without the guidance and encouragement I’ve received at Christ Church. Winning the prize means a lot to me – this recognition motivates me to keep pursuing my passion for the intersection between technology and philosophy."

The Mathematical Sciences portfolio at Christ Church includes Computer Science (CS), Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS), and Computer Science and Philosophy (CSP). Christ Church started to admit undergraduates in Computer Science in October 2017.