AI Hackathon Digital Energy 2026

Accelerate the resolution of one of your key challenges using generative AI

As part of the Digital Energy programme, funded by the European Union, 2026 has been dedicated to artificial intelligence, with the ambition of supporting actors in the African energy sector in embracing this transformation.

In this context, Digital Energy is organising its AI hackathon. This event is exclusively open to Digital Energy Challenge laureates and I&P Digital Energy laureates.

The objective is to enable you to address a concrete challenge encountered within your project, by exploring — with the support of experts — how generative AI and agentic approaches can become practical and operational levers.

This event will take place on July 7th and 8th, 2026 in Paris.

Travel and accommodation will be covered by the Digital Energy programme.

What is the Digital Energy AI hackathon ?

The Digital Energy AI hackathon is an immersive support format designed to move from an identified challenge to a first tested solution.

Four laureates will be selected to participate in one and a half days of intensive work, supported by experts in generative and agentic AI, in order to:

• clarify your challenge,
• explore how generative and agentic AI can address it in a pragmatic way,
• test and prototype a solution,
• prepare a pitch demonstrating the feasibility and value of the proposed solution.

The event will conclude with a pitch session in front of a jury, followed by an award ceremony.

Dedicated technical support for the winning team

At the end of the AI Hackathon, the winning team will benefit from a dedicated support programme representing up to 17 days of expert guidance, aimed at continuing the development and implementation of the solution explored during the event.

This support will be delivered by experts in generative AI and agentic solutions from the consulting firm Onepoint. The programme will include regular follow-up sessions, support for iterating on the solution, and the definition of a technical and operational roadmap. The support will be tailored to the needs of the winning team and the specific solution to be implemented.

The team may benefit, for example, from:

• An initial diagnostic workshop (half-day) to assess the project’s potential, technical requirements, and implementation conditions.
• Development of a roadmap, including target architecture, a prioritised backlog, effort estimation, and initial elements of the business model.
• Personalised technical support on topics such as architecture, models, data, and MLOps.
• Connections with technology partners (software providers, incubators, AI labs) to support technical feasibility and scaling.
• Potential access to cloud credits or specialised software tools, depending on the needs of the project.
• Support on compliance and ethical considerations, including a review of risks related to the use of AI.
• AI training session, adapted to the team’s level of maturity and the needs of the project.
• Support in preparing a demonstration or pitch, helping structure the technical narrative and facilitating presentations to partners or decision-makers.

The objective of this support programme is to accelerate the transformation of the initial idea into a concrete solution, while strengthening the technical robustness, viability, and impact of the project.

Who can apply?

The call for applications is exclusively open to Digital Energy Challenge laureates (all editions) and I&P Digital Energy laureates.

Four laureates will be selected to participate in the AI hackathon.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and relevance of the proposed challenge
• Relevance of using generative or agentic AI
• Feasibility of developing a prototype during the AI hackathon 
• Potential impact for the energy sector
• Relevance of the identified need
• Team motivation and alignment with the proposed support

Advanced expertise in generative or agentic AI is not required. Our experts will be there to guide you throughout the process.

Timeline

Candidate teams are invited to review the dates below before applying, as some stages require their availability, particularly the selection morning.

• April 10 at 2 p.m. (Paris time): information webinar
• May 15, 2026 : application deadline
• May 20, 2026 (morning): meeting with shortlisted teams (videoconference)
• May 20, 2026 (afternoon): jury deliberation
• May 22, 2026: announcement of selected teams
• July 7-8, 2026: AI Digital Energy Hackathon – Paris
• Post-Hackathon 2026: support for the winning team

How to apply

To participate, please complete the application file available below and send it by email to:

contact@digital-energy.eu

The application deadline is: May 15 2026 (end of day).

An information webinar will be held on April 10 at 2 p.m. to present the initiative and the selection process in more detail.