#Hackathon26 was proof of what happens when academia and the public sector unite to drive meaningful digital innovation! 🎓🏛️🚀
From June 5 to 7, 2026, the MA in Digital Transformation at Panteion University hosted its annual Hackathon — a student-exclusive, hands-on innovation competition designed as the ultimate capstone to the second semester.
This year, we had the distinct honor of co-organizing the event with the General Secretariat for Communication and Media (GSCM) of the Presidency of the Greek Government, with the valuable support of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
From June 5 to 7, 2026, the MA in Digital Transformation at Panteion University hosted its annual Hackathon — a student-exclusive, hands-on innovation competition designed as the ultimate capstone to the second semester.
This year, we had the distinct honor of co-organizing the event with the General Secretariat for Communication and Media (GSCM) of the Presidency of the Greek Government, with the valuable support of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
This Year's Challenge
Thematic focus for this year targeted one of the most critical issues of our time: “Shielding the Integrity of Communication in the Era of Pervasive Mis/Dis-Information.”
In an environment where deepfakes, automated bots, anonymous networks, malicious content, and foreign hybrid threats heavily pressure public trust and democratic legitimacy, our postgraduate students stepped up.
They learned to think fast, collaborate under pressure, and seamlessly blend creative vision with strategic engineering.
In an environment where deepfakes, automated bots, anonymous networks, malicious content, and foreign hybrid threats heavily pressure public trust and democratic legitimacy, our postgraduate students stepped up.
They learned to think fast, collaborate under pressure, and seamlessly blend creative vision with strategic engineering.
The result? Comprehensive proposals and functional AI prototypes built to track disinformation, manage national communication crises, streamline e-briefing workflows, and build citizen resilience against modern digital threats.
The 3 Winning Solutions
1. “Traceproof”
Category: Evidence-Based Governmental Communication & E-Briefing Workflow
This student team built an internal GovTech dashboard that completely changes how public servants communicate during an active crisis.
This student team built an internal GovTech dashboard that completely changes how public servants communicate during an active crisis.
- Speed: Instead of waiting hours for final reports, the platform allows a government spokesperson to post official “Under Verification” updates to a government website in 3 clicks and under 3 minutes.
- Clarity: It leverages an AI simplification engine to instantly turn dense, technical briefs into clear, plain-language summaries.
- Trust: The solution strictly blocks any update that isn’t digitally anchored to an official, independent scientific source.
2. “Crisis Compass”
Category: Crisis Communication Governance Model
This team designed a web-based tool for the GSCM to establish a coordinated and resilient communication system during emergencies.
This team designed a web-based tool for the GSCM to establish a coordinated and resilient communication system during emergencies.
- Structure: The platform seamlessly guides authorities through a structured crisis lifecycle across 7 integrated modules.
- Detection: It captures incident intake, feeds a real-time Social Listening Engine to score disinformation risks, uses an AI Escalation Assessment to suggest threat tiers, and instantly triggers dynamic role activation for relevant state actors.
- Execution: Spokespersons utilize a Narrative Builder Matrix to lock in official drafts, route statements through automated approval channels, and close the loop with a Post-Crisis Evaluation report.
3. “Corpus Electica”
Category: Institutional Disinformation Shield
This team proposed a powerful app designed to protect democratic legitimacy and shield public dialogue during sensitive election periods when disinformation peaks.
This team proposed a powerful app designed to protect democratic legitimacy and shield public dialogue during sensitive election periods when disinformation peaks.
- Dual-Portal Architecture: For the government, it provides a real-time operational dashboard featuring an automated threat detection engine and AI narrative risk scoring. For citizens, it offers a trusted mobile interface delivering localized alerts and pre-bunking/debunking educational tips.
- Ethical by Design: The system enforces absolute anti-censorship operational limits. It defends democratic trust by relying entirely on transparent threat labeling rather than content takedowns or account interventions, fully preserving freedom of expression.
Esteemed Participants & Mentors
Hackathon 2026 welcomed esteemed academics, researchers, professionals, and policymakers who provided diverse perspectives and invaluable mentorship. They guided our student teams, inspiring them to push boundaries and propose innovative, practical solutions.
The hackathon kicked off with an inspiring opening address by Secretary General Dimitrios Kirmikiroglou. He spoke directly to our postgraduate students about the importance of initiatives that bring academia and the public sector together to protect democratic trust.
The hackathon kicked off with an inspiring opening address by Secretary General Dimitrios Kirmikiroglou. He spoke directly to our postgraduate students about the importance of initiatives that bring academia and the public sector together to protect democratic trust.
We were also deeply honored to welcome Mr. Andrei Popov, Ambassador of Moldova to Greece, who delivered a special address. Drawing directly from Moldova’s recent frontline experiences with extensive foreign interference during electoral cycles, Ambassador Popov detailed the profound political and economic consequences of coordinated hybrid campaigns.
To bring this initiative to life, our student teams were supported by an exceptional lineup of guest speakers and mentors. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed (listed in alphabetical order by last name):
- Dora Farmaki, Computer Engineer, MSc, GSCM
- Tonia Gogou, General Manager V+O International (Representative of Hellenic Association of Advertising-Communication Agencies - EDEE)
- Anastassios Ioannidis, Director for Media, GSCM
- Spyros Kapralos, Political Analyst, Journalist, ECI/Andrássy Universität Budapest, PhD-candidate in political communication, NETPOL
- Dr. Akis Karatrantos, ELIAMEP, Scientific Collaborator of the Minister of State for the Coordination of government policies
- Kostas Karpouzis, Associate Professor, Dept. of Communication, Media and Culture, Panteion University; Board Member, National Bioethics & Technoethics Commission
- Veni Kleonakou, General Manager, Weber Shandwick (Representative of Hellenic Association of Advertising-Communication Agencies - EDEE)
- Konstantina Kollia, Director of Communication of the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson
- Vasilis Roungas, Assistant Professor in Media Information Literacy, Dept. of Communication, Media and Culture, Panteion University
- Dr. Nikos Sarris, Senior Researcher, CERTH / ΙΤΙ, MedDMO coordinator
- Dimitra Tomprou, Advisor, Secretary General of Communication and Media, Institute of European Management, EPLO
- Dr. Lida Tsene, Communications Strategist, CSR & Impact Measurement Expert.
- Prodromos Tsiavos, Head of Digital Development and Innovation, Onassis Foundation
A Powerful Synergy
Ultimately, #Hackathon26 stands as a testament to the profound importance of institutional synergies in driving positive social impact.
As modern digital threats grow increasingly complex, effectively responding to real-world issues requires bridging the gap between academic excellence and practical innovation. Initiatives like this ensure that both our institutions and our future professionals remain agile, forward-thinking, and fully equipped to tackle the pressing societal challenges of our time.
As modern digital threats grow increasingly complex, effectively responding to real-world issues requires bridging the gap between academic excellence and practical innovation. Initiatives like this ensure that both our institutions and our future professionals remain agile, forward-thinking, and fully equipped to tackle the pressing societal challenges of our time.
🍹And One Last Thing…
To celebrate surviving 72 hours of high-pressure innovation, we cooled down with a relaxing summer cocktail gathering at the EPLO terrace in Plaka. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to recharge, bond over the weekend’s chaos, and casually chat about what comes next in their final semester. A perfect, well-deserved wrap-up to an epic Hackathon!
