✨ AI Short Story Contest: Tell a Tale About Lexce!

We’re excited to launch an AI Short Story Contest, and you’re invited to unleash your creativity with the help of artificial intelligence! Your task? Craft a compelling, imaginative short story about Lexce—VinUni’s beloved mascot—with the help AI tools.

Please keep in mind that AI is not intended to replace human intelligence (your work), but to enhance it. In this contest, we encourage you to explore how AI can support your creative process while ensuring that your own voice, ideas, and storytelling shine through.

In today’s interconnected and fast-evolving world, knowing how to use AI tools wisely is not just an advantage—it’s a crucial skill. By integrating AI into this contest, we hope to give students an opportunity to learn, experiment, and develop digital literacy in a meaningful, hands-on way. AI is a tool,and learning how to leverage it creatively and ethically is a vital ability for any global citizen of the future.

Let this contest be your playground to explore storytelling—and to practice using AI not as a shortcut, but as a collaborator in the creative process.”

🧠 How to Start Your Story with AI

📍 Option 1: Use Story.com

Story.com is a powerful platform that helps turn your story ideas into fully developed narratives with the support of an AI story generator. You can create:

• Unique short stories
• Video stories
• Interactive narratives with consistent characters

📝 Prompt Example:

“Write a short story about Lexce’s first day at VinUni. Lexce faces many challenges during their first day at university. Please identify these challenges and explain how Lexce overcomes them with help from students and faculty members.”

👉 See a sample story here:
Lexce’s First Day at VinUniversity

Additional AI Tools You Can Use

Don’t limit yourself to one tool—here are other AI agents that can help you brainstorm, write, and revise your story:

✍️ Writing & Storyline Development

• ChatGPT – Develop characters, build plots, and get grammar support.
• Google Gemini – Brainstorm creative twists, dialogue, and settings.
• DeepSeek – Explore culturally rich storytelling elements.

Use these tools to:

• Generate character arcs
• Explore different storytelling perspectives (first-person, third-person, etc.)
• Inject humor, suspense, or emotional depth

Example: ChatGPT.

🎨 Enhance with AI-generated Illustrations

Bring your story to life visually! You can add custom illustrations to your story using image-generation AIs:

• ChatGPT (with image support)
• Gemini (Pro versions)
• Artbreeder / Artistly / Midjourney – These tools can generate:
  • Character portraits of Lexce and friends
  • VinUni-inspired backgrounds
  • Action scenes or key emotional moments

✨ Tip: Choose a consistent art style to make your story visually cohesive.

You can even create comics for pleasure.

💬 Get Support from Our Writer in Residence

Need help refining your ideas or giving your story a final polish? Our Writer in Residence is here to help!

• Book a consultation for brainstorming
• Get feedback on your storyline or style
• Learn more about character development and narrative structure

🏆 Submission Guidelines

1. Your story must feature Lexce as a central character.
2. Word limit: 500–1500 words
3. Submit your story in PDF or Word format.
4. Optional: Include 1–3 AI-generated illustrations.
5. Deadline: April 10, 2025

💡 Bonus Ideas to Make Your Story Shine

• Write a choose-your-own-adventure using Story.com’s interactive mode.
• Explore genres like sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, or realistic fiction.
• Introduce supporting characters: maybe Lexce’s robot roommate, a mysterious library ghost, or a wise professor with an AI-powered lab.
• Highlight themes like friendship, curiosity, overcoming fear, or embracing diversity.

Let AI be your co-author and let your imagination soar. We can’t wait to see how Lexce’s story unfolds—through your words!