Milken-Motsepe Prize names 10 AI manufacturing semifinalists

The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced 10 semifinalist teams for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, awarding each team $50,000 in unrestricted funding to support inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Africa.

• Main announcement: The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation named 10 semifinalists for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, each receiving $50,000 in unrestricted funding; the prize program features a $2 million total prize pool and is intended to accelerate AI-enabled manufacturing solutions in Africa.
• Background and timeline/details: The semifinalists will present at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit (sub-bullets):
  • Date: December 4–5, 2025
  • Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Agenda/subject: semifinalist pitches judged on commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability in Africa
  • Prize timeline: Five finalists chosen in December; a $1 million Grand Prize, a $250,000 runner-up, and a $100,000 award for Most Advanced Use of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies will be awarded at the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.