AI for Impact: Lebanon Youth Hackathon 2026 Opens Registration for High Schools
October 21, 2026
Bringing Together Leaders in AI, Education and Innovation
On Saturday, November 14, 2026, LAU Byblos will host AI for Impact: Lebanon Youth Hackathon 2026, a one-day program in which high school students from across Lebanon apply artificial intelligence to real challenges in healthcare and the environment. Working in teams, students in Grades 10 to 12 will move from problem definition to prototype and final pitch, supported by mentors and accompanied by their educators.
Organized by SocialLab and LAU Engine and powered by LEAPO, the hackathon reflects a shared conviction: that responsible AI literacy should begin early, and that young people are capable of building meaningful solutions for their communities. To uphold that standard, we have convened a distinguished group of speakers, judges and a moderator drawn from government, academia and industry. We are pleased to introduce them below.
Keynote and Guest Speakers
The program opens with addresses that set the tone for the day, framing how artificial intelligence can be developed and applied responsibly to serve society.
Evan Fakhoury, PhD | Keynote Speaker
Director of LAU Engine, Powered by the Fouad Makhzoumi Innovation Center; Assistant Professor, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department, Lebanese American University
As Director of LAU Engine, Dr. Evan Fakhoury leads the innovation and entrepreneurship hub of the university, powered by the Fouad Makhzoumi Innovation Center. He also serves as Assistant Professor in the Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department at LAU. LAU Engine is co-organizer and host partner of AI for Impact 2026.
Alexsai Srourali | Keynote Speaker
Chief Executive Officer, SocialLab
Alexsai Srourali is the Chief Executive Officer of SocialLab and a Principal Data and AI Scientist with more than ten years of experience in data analytics, business intelligence and artificial intelligence. Educated in computer science, business, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship, including MIT credentials, he provides strategic advisory and technical consultancy across industries, bridging technical depth with business innovation. His international work includes serving as an AI Advisor contributing to the development by IEEE of an international standard for LLM safety, and as a Global Strategy on Digital Health Panel Expert with the World Health Organization.
Jean-Pierre Fakhry | Guest Speaker
Tech and AI Advisor, Ministry of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Lebanon
Jean-Pierre Fakhry is Tech and AI Advisor at the Ministry of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, contributing to the national AI strategy of Lebanon, and Head of AI at Chizl. An AI engineer working across LLMs, computer vision and MLOps, he is 4x AWS Certified, an AWS Community Builder, and a Visiting Lecturer at USEK. Representing the Ministry, he will address its national AI initiatives.
Event Moderator
Yasmeen Sakka
Strategic Communications Consultant, SocialLab
Yasmeen Sakka will moderate the program, guiding participants, educators and guests from the opening keynotes through the final presentations and the announcement of the winning teams.
The Judging Panel
During the afternoon presentation session, selected teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of four judges whose expertise spans national digital policy, innovation ecosystems, education technology and applied AI.
Nour Fayad
Digital & AI Talent Development Lead, NUMŪ, MITAI Lebanon
Nour Fayad leads digital and AI talent development and ecosystem-building initiatives at the Lebanese Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, including NUMŪ, the national digital and AI capacity-building program of the country. With a background in strategy consulting, digital transformation and innovation, she focuses on connecting education, technology and practical innovation to strengthen the digital talent ecosystem in Lebanon.
Evan Fakhoury, PhD
Director of LAU Engine, Powered by the Fouad Makhzoumi Innovation Center; Assistant Professor, IME Dept., Lebanese American University
In addition to delivering a keynote address, Dr. Fakhoury brings to the panel his perspective on engineering, innovation and the path from early-stage ideas to viable solutions.
Hussein Ayoub
World Summit Awards (WSA) National Expert, Lebanon
Hussein Ayoub is an education, technology, and innovation leader with extensive experience supporting digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems across the Middle East and beyond. He serves as the National Expert for Lebanon at the World Summit Awards (WSA), identifying and promoting impactful digital innovations with global potential. He is also the Director of Technology Growth & Partnerships at EDT&Partners, Co-founder of the MENA EdTech Alliance, and Advisor to PCA Lebanon. Recognized in Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30, Hussein actively contributes to initiatives that empower young innovators, advance responsible AI adoption, and connect technology with meaningful social impact.
Alexsai Srourali
Chief Executive Officer, SocialLab
Alongside his keynote, Alexsai Srourali joins the panel with over a decade of experience in data science and AI, and international expertise in AI standards and responsible innovation.
We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers, judges and moderator for lending their time and expertise to the next generation of innovators in Lebanon. Updates from the day will be shared on the event page and on our socials.
Join us on November 14 at LAU Byblos.
One day for high school teams to build, mentor and pitch AI solutions for healthcare and the environment. Full program details, speaker bios and updates on the event page.
Follow updates on SocialLab socials
