Forget Saving the World. Tell Us What 'Better' Looks Like
Picture a future that may not be perfect, but is attainable.
So say the Men in Black have finally realized your potential and they bundle you into a black van. You’re afraid they’re going to demand that you save the world. To your surprise, that’s not what they ask for. No, they just want you to tell them how to make things a bit better than they are now. They’re not hoping for Utopia—you know that’s not workable, at least for our generation. They tell you they’re sick and tired of Dystopia too; been there, done that. But, they say, it must be possible to imagine a future where things get somewhat better than today because of concrete actions we know we can take. And they want you to do the imagining.
Well, here’s your chance. This is exactly the challenge of the $5000 Protopian Prize. I’m proud to be one of the judges for this unique writing contest.
Good-enough-topia
What we’re looking for is previously unpublished short stories of between 500 and 6,000 words in two categories:
The Public AI Prize invites you to submit a previously unpublished short story about AI development, policy, and tools, built for—and following basic principles of— public benefit. Stories might address ethical training, sustainable maintenance, creator-friendly implementation, collective rather than corporate ownership, and/or new uses that complement rather than replace human strengths.
The Democratic Futures Prize challenges you to write about institutions, tools, and organizational methods that expand and enhance public autonomy and shared control over societal futures. Stories might address inclusive community-building, decision-making processes, better delivery of public goods, and/or new techniques for combating disinformation, surveillance, and authoritarian constraints.
Each category has a $5,000 prize for the winner. The judges include authors Ruthanna Emrys Gordon, Annalee Newitz, Deji Bryce Olukoton, Hannu Rajaniemi, and myself. Submissions open on May 1, and the deadline is July 31, 2026. You can learn more about the contest at ProtopianPrize.com.
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time, Locus Awards will be hosting a virtual seminar to introduce the contest. You can sign up here.
Use Your Voice
This is your chance to nudge us all in a better direction. I don’t want you to imitate me or try to pander to my ideas, or those of the other judges. This contest is about expressing your vision, and using your authentic voice to do it.
Even if you’re not able to participate, please spread the word; just making your friends aware of the contest and the attitude behind it will be a protopian act.
I hope to see you or a friend at the event next Wednesday!
—K