How do new technologies shape the media and information landscape?
The hackathon “Media Literacy at the Age of AI” was successfully completed, organized by the British Council with the support of Athena Research Center
21-01-2026
An educational event dedicated to young people, focusing on Media Literacy in the age of Artificial Intelligence, took place as part of “Youth Connect Europe” from 9–11 January 2026 at the Eugenides Foundation.
The event was organized by the British Council and the Eugenides Foundation, with the support of Athena, and was implemented by the European organization Think Young. More than 30 young participants from the fields of technology, communication, and other natural and social sciences had the opportunity to learn about the critical analysis of digital content and the responsible use of media and communication platforms. At the same time, they collaborated on designing innovative solutions that promote conscious engagement with the media.During the first day, a discussion with experts explored the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence in the fields of media and information. Research Director of Athena, Haris Papageorgiou, participated as a speaker and talked about the information reliability and the challenges of the digital era.
Over the following two days, the teams that were formed, developed their proposals under the guidance of mentors. From Athena’s side, the mentoring team included Stratos Kakalis, Fotios Vorlou, and Giannis Altanopoulos, experienced scientific associates of the Research center. The teams considered the thoughtful input of the mentors and made constructive discussions on the reliable sources of information, the identification of misinformation, and the responsible production and dissemination of content with the help of AI. The ideas were presented to a jury panel that included Anastasios Patrikakos, Head of the Innovation Support Department, and Thanasis Vergoulis, Principal Researcher, both from Athena. The first prize was awarded to the team Teknolodjia, which proposed the development of an application that aggregates news already verified for authenticity and presents them to users in a youthful and engaging way.
This year’s theme was particularly timely and closely aligned with Athena’s mission and values, as it connects AΙ with critical thinking, responsible use of information, and youth education. Media Literacy is essential for democracy and social cohesion, and it is crucial in today’s world for young people to be informed, ethical, and active digital citizens.More information about the event can be found on the website:
