Don't be AIfraid!
"Don’t be AIfraid" is an innovative hackathon designed for high school students who want to challenge themselves with the fascinating world of artificial intelligence. The initiative is not just a competition but a complete learning journey. One week before the hackathon, participants will attend an introductory event where AI experts, researchers, and professionals will present a variety of real-world use cases. From healthcare to education, from sustainability to everyday digital services, these examples will provide inspiration and demonstrate how AI can generate positive impact in society.
Questions?
alessandro.persano@weavesrl.com
Who can join?
14 - 15 NOV 2025
Register by 13 NOVLanguage(s) of the hackathon
Italian, English
Blended
Martano - Italy
AI and Emerging Technologies for Education
Challenge and goals
The primary goal of“Don’t be AIfraid” is to empower high school students with the knowledge, confidence, and creativity to approach artificial intelligence not as something intimidating, but as a powerful tool for positive change. By engaging them in a dynamic and collaborative hackathon, the initiative aims to demystify AI, foster curiosity, and promote responsible innovation.A first outcome is awareness: through the preparatory session held one week before the hackathon, students will gain exposure to concrete use cases of AI in diverse fields such as health, education, sustainability, and everyday digital services. The second outcome is skill development: during the hackathon, participants will strengthen problem-solving abilities, teamwork, design thinking, and critical analysis. They will also gain hands-on experience with AI tools and methodologies, learning how to move from an abstract idea to a functional prototype.A third outcome is innovation: the event will generate original projects aimed at improving daily life, demonstrating how young minds can contribute creative and impactful solutions when given the right support and guidance.Finally, the hackathon promotes empowerment and future orientation: students will leave with increased confidence in their abilities, a stronger sense of agency in shaping technological futures, and a clearer vision of AI as an ally for building inclusive and sustainable societies.
Expectations and requirements for the solutions and participants
Participants of “Don’t be AIfraid”are expected to bring curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to collaborate. Teams will work together to design AI-driven applications that provide tangible benefits for everyday life. Students should be ready to explore real-world challenges, think critically, and apply innovative approaches using the tools and guidance provided during the hackathon.
Requirements include forming small teams, attending the preparatory session with experts, and actively engaging throughout the event. Each team is expected to present a prototype and a short pitch to the jury, demonstrating not only technical feasibility but also the social impact of their idea. Respect for teamwork, deadlines, and responsible use of AI will be key to the experience.
Available Support
Throughout “Don’t be AIfraid”, students will be supported by a dedicated network of mentors, coaches, and AI professionals. During the preparatory session, experts will provide clear explanations of real-world use cases and introduce practical tools to help participants approach artificial intelligence with confidence. During the hackathon itself, technical mentors will guide teams in exploring frameworks, data usage, and prototyping methods, while facilitators will assist with teamwork and design thinking. Logistical support, working spaces, and access to resources such as cloud tools or open datasets will also be provided. This structure ensures that every team has the knowledge, materials, and guidance needed to transform creative ideas into viable, impactful solutions.
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- Innovatività, Sostenibilità, Trasferibilità. (chiarite perchè è innovativa, perchè è sostenibile e perchè può essere replicabile in altri scuole/contesti)
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Schedule
The “Don’t be AIfraid” program is structured as a two-phase educational and creative journey designed to guide students from inspiration to innovation. It begins with a preparatory session where AI experts introduce participants to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through engaging presentations and real-world case studies. This initial event aims to spark curiosity, build confidence, and provide the conceptual and technical foundations needed for the upcoming challenge. Two week later, the hackathon takes place — an immersive, hands-on experience where teams of students apply what they have learned to design and prototype AI-driven solutions that can improve everyday life. Throughout the program, participants are supported by mentors. The final presentations showcase not only the technical achievements but also the vision and social impact of each project, celebrating the power of young mi
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October 31 from 9.00 to 13.00
“Don’t be AIfraid!” – Kick-off & Inspiration Day
We’ll present the hackathon rules, help students register and form teams, and inspire future participants with real AI use cases in education, health, and creativity. Discover how artificial intelligence can drive positive change — and get ready to be part of it. Don’t be afraid — be inspired! -
November 14 at 9:00 AM
Opening session of “Don’t be AIfraid!” — featuring the official DigiEduHack opening video.
Institutional greetings and welcome with Alieta Sciolti, Principal of the IISS Salvatore Trinchese and Fabio Tarantino, Mayor of Martano -
November 14 at 10:00 AM
Istruzioni per l'uso e introduzione all'hackathon
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November 14 at 11:00 AM
Let's hack!
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November 14 at 13:15 AM - time to recharge!
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November 14 at 14:15 AM
Refining e presentation
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November 14 at 17:00 AM
Mentor Check - last update and upload solutions
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November 15 at 09:00 AM
Presentazione giuria e premi
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November 15 at 09:30 AM
Let's introduce Rete 2030 by Omero Virgilio Macrì
A professional in the field of active labor market policies, career guidance, and training. He currently serves as Hub Manager for the Rete – Giovani2030 project, an initiative promoted by the Minister for Sport and Youth through the Department for Youth Policies and the Universal Civil Service of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, in collaboration with Invitalia, tasked with creating and managing 12 pilot territorial hubs. -
November 15 at 10:00 AM
Puglia Galattica - la galassia delle opportunità
a cura di Gabriele Virzì - Youth Worker di policy ARTI Puglia -
November 15 at 11:00 AM
Presentazioni dei 10 finalisti
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November 15 at 12:30
Premiazioni
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SOLO SU INVITO - November 14 from 19.30
Networking light dinner
Mentors
Judges
Marco Delisi
Presidente di OLES - Orchestra Sinfonica di Lecce e del Salento
Proposed Solutions
FOCUS AI
Team: Clarity-Minds
Stress out
Team: Armony
mAIndhandPen
Team: mAIndhandPen
FITNESS: EAT AND TRAIN
Team: TrAIning Crew
Formula Edu
Team: Formula Academy
Mentor
Team: TM TEAM MENTOR
Support Point
Team: CareVibes
BrAInLink
Team: Brain
EcoBreath
Team: DeepCode
trAInsport
Team: 22
EDUSPHERE TECNOLOGY
Team: EDUSPHERE
NeuroGuide
Team: neuro vibes
AIssistant
Team: AIC
MediknowAi
Team: Aimazing team
BrAInLink
Team: Brain
SnapDog
Team: Team Crazy Tail
Open LAIbrary
Team: Innova-Tech
Instant Inclusion
Team: Zerogap
GreenBites
Team: Seven Bites
Local winner
KNOWLEDGE QUEST
Team: I magistrati
brAin-twin
Team: brAin-twin
lifeswitch
Team: Switchers
3Discover
Team: vortex5
LinguaMind
Team: Dream Team
A viewer for kids
Team: The five bytes
Digital awareness "big brain time"
Team: brain builder
CognifAI
Team: CognifAI