Generation Z, or iGen, is growing up alongside technology and artificial intelligence. From users and explorers, they are increasingly becoming creators, adopting and leveraging technology to push the boundaries of what is considered achievable. In this reality, innovation is no longer confined to sterile laboratories. It is born in classrooms, in conversations and exchanges among peers, and often takes shape and is tested through hackathons. Inspired by this, One Albania joined this year’s National AI Hackathon 2026, investing precisely in this early stage of young people’s potential, where curiosity and passion are transformed into tangible skills and real-world solutions.

This hackathon brought together some of the most talented high school students from across Albania, from Korça to Shkodër. Young participants aged 15–18, working in teams, developed innovative projects addressing real challenges in areas such as education, mental health, road safety, and digital services. The best ideas were presented at the closing ceremony held near the Pyramid on March 27.

Beyond financial support, One Albania played an active role in this edition by introducing a dedicated challenge, “Sentiment Analysis for Social Media Campaign.” This exercise gave participants the opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can be used to analyze public perception and build smarter, data-driven campaigns grounded in audience insight. Notably, the first prize was awarded to a team that developed a platform designed to review and analyze elements of One Albania’s campaigns.

The National AI Hackathon, organized by POLIS University and AI Hub Albania, brings young people closer to cutting-edge technologies and equips them with practical skills to build AI-based solutions. Through mentorship from industry experts and a hands-on approach, the initiative serves as a platform to identify and nurture emerging talent at a national level.

For One Albania, supporting initiatives like this is part of a long-term vision to empower young people through education, technology, and meaningful opportunities for growth. By staying close to youth across different cities in the country, One Albania contributes to building a more inclusive culture of innovation, where students have access to experiences that strengthen not only their technical abilities, but also their confidence and ambition to create more.