Who should enter the ‘Best Use of AI of the Year’ category?

The ‘Best Use of AI of the Year’ category recognizes the most impactful and innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning within a cloud environment. This award is about real-world utility as much as it is technical sophistication. It honors solutions that use AI to solve specific business problems, automate complex decision-making, or unlock insights from data that were previously unreachable.

Entries may showcase advancements in Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), demonstrating how they have been integrated into workflows to boost productivity or enhance creativity. The category highlights excellence in Predictive Analytics and Pattern Recognition, where AI is used to forecast market trends, optimize supply chains, or preemptively identify equipment failures.

In addition, submissions should highlight ethical AI and transparency, showing how the solution addresses challenges like algorithmic bias, data privacy, and hallucination risks. Judges will look for evidence of seamless integration, rewarding projects where AI doesn’t feel like a “bolt-on” but is an intuitive, essential part of the user experience.

Successful entries will provide clear evidence of quantifiable ROI, such as a measurable increase in accuracy, significant time savings through automation, or a direct uplift in revenue driven by AI-powered personalization.

Developers Discussing Programming Code

Example Use Cases

Uses of AI eligible for this award could sit within almost any area of cloud computing. Here are some examples:

Investment Consultant strategy planning

Applying AI to automate complex processes and improve operational efficiency. AI solutions reduce manual intervention while enhancing accuracy and scalability.

Typical use cases:
• AI-driven workflow automation
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA) enhanced with machine learning
• Intelligent document processing and data extraction
• Automated decision-making systems
• Process optimisation through predictive modelling

Some examples of results from this application:
• Reduced operational costs and manual workload
• Increased process speed and accuracy
• Improved scalability of business operations
• Measurable efficiency gains across workflows

Business Analyst Examines Financial Dashboard On Laptop While Jotting Notes

Using AI to generate forward-looking insights that inform strategic and operational decisions. These solutions transform data into actionable intelligence.

Typical use cases:
• Demand forecasting and trend prediction
• Risk modelling and anomaly detection
• Customer behaviour prediction
• Financial and operational forecasting
• Scenario modelling and simulation

Some examples of results from this application:
• Improved forecasting accuracy
• Better strategic planning and resource allocation
• Early identification of risks and opportunities
• Increased confidence in decision-making

Highest customer satisfaction with SaaS award

Enhancing user experiences through AI-driven personalisation and recommendation systems. AI enables more relevant, timely, and engaging interactions.

Typical use cases:
• Recommendation engines for products or content
• Personalised marketing and customer journeys
• Dynamic user interfaces based on behaviour
• Chatbots and virtual assistants
• Real-time engagement optimisation

Some examples of results from this application:
• Increased customer engagement and conversion rates
• Improved user satisfaction and retention
• Higher revenue through personalised experiences
• More relevant and timely customer interactions

A man holds a smartphone and speaks voice commands while working in an office setting

Unlocking value from large volumes of data through advanced AI techniques. These solutions enable organisations to extract insights that would not be possible through traditional analytics.

Typical use cases:
• Natural language processing (NLP) for text analysis
• Image, video, or speech recognition
• Knowledge discovery from unstructured data
• Automated summarisation and insight generation
• Research and analytics acceleration

Some examples of results from this application:
• Faster insight generation from complex data sets
• Improved accuracy in analysis and interpretation
• Enhanced research and innovation capabilities
• Greater utilisation of previously untapped data

Employees Working Together Using Desktop Computer for Supervising Work Process in Automated Factory

Ensuring AI systems are transparent, fair, and accountable. Leading solutions incorporate governance frameworks to support ethical and responsible AI deployment.

Typical use cases:
• Explainable AI models and decision transparency
• Bias detection and mitigation tools
• AI governance and compliance frameworks
• Model monitoring and performance tracking
• Data privacy and ethical AI controls

Some examples of results from this application:
• Increased trust in AI-driven decisions
• Reduced risk of bias or unintended outcomes
• Improved regulatory compliance
• Stronger governance of AI systems

Hall of Fame: Previous Winners

LogicMonitor Logo

LogicMonitor demonstrates what meaningful artificial intelligence in cloud computing actually looks like in practice. Its use of agentic AI to turn observability into autonomous action sets a clear benchmark for the industry. At The Cloud Awards, we look for AI that delivers real operational outcomes, not just novelty, and LogicMonitor delivers that at scale. This win reflects its leadership in applying AI to solve the hardest problems in modern hybrid cloud environments.”

Lead Judge, Nitin Gupta

Best Use of AI in Cloud Computing 2025/26, LogicMonitor
Vonage Logo

Vonage’s VCC Intelligent Workspace redefines the agent and customer experience in contact centers by seamlessly integrating AI-powered tools and communication channels into a single, intuitive interface. This innovation not only enhances agent efficiency by reducing the need for toggling between systems, but also ensures that agents have the right information at their fingertips to provide seamless, personalized service. VCC Intelligent Workspace represents a true advancement in AI-powered customer engagement, delivering measurable business benefits and a superior experience for both agents and customers.”

Lead Judge, Nitin Gupta

Best Use of AI in Cloud Computing 2024/25, Vonage
BigPanda Logo

BigPanda clinches the AI Cloud-Based Solution award by ingeniously applying Generative AI to reinvent DevOps and ITOps. Their platform ensures service stability for major brands, leveraging Generative AI for Automated Incident Analysis with a 95% accuracy, revolutionizing incident resolution. The ‘Open Box’ transparency in AI logic establishes trust, addressing data security concerns. As the first to operationalize LLM in IT operations, BigPanda’s transformative impact and client testimonials validate its pioneering role, ushering in a new era of AIOps and digital service innovation. Congratulations from everyone at The Cloud Awards!”

Lead Judge, Maneet Bansal

Best Use of AI in Cloud Computing 2023/24, BigPanda

Areas to Highlight in Your Submission

Judges score nominations across these five key areas:

  • Innovation: The features or technology that makes your use of AI unique - or has transformed your market.

  • Impact: Evidence of the positive effect your use of AI has brought to your customers, or your own organization.

  • Scalability: How your use of AI has enabled your organization, or customers, to scale without costly future upgrades.

  • User Experience: The impact the use of AI has had for users of varying roles or skill levels.

  • Relevance: What makes your solution a worthy winner in this particular category.

Although not formally scored, focus on these areas specific to this category, can help your nomination stand out:

Automation

The extent to which the use of AI has automated labor-intensive processes or workloads.

Integration

How easily your use of AI integrates and operates alongside other services or multiple data sources.

Ethical AI

How the solution mitigates bias, respects user privacy, and complies with relevant regulations and standards.

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Next Steps to Enter The Cloud Awards

To enter this Cloud Awards category, or any other category in The Cloud Awards, please follow these three simple steps:

  • Download the entry form. Open up the ‘Cloud Awards Simple Form’ document.
  • Complete your form. You only need to complete the form once, even if entering multiple Cloud Awards categories.
  • Submit your entry. Head to the ‘Submit Now’ section on our website, select ‘The Cloud Awards’ and the category/categories you are entering from the list, upload your form and any other materials you would like the judges to review, and process your fees.

Since 2011, The Cloud Awards been helping organizations across the globe gain the recognition they deserve for market-leading innovation in the cloud computing and software sectors.

For a detailed breakdown of all the benefits you receive as an awards entrant as either a shortlistee, finalist or ultimate winner, please see our “Why Enter?” page. The many benefits are replicated across all international awards programs. If you have any questions about this category, please contact us.