By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
As artificial intelligence continues to transform how people create, communicate and consume media, a critical question is gaining prominence: how can technology advance without diminishing human culture, creativity and lived experience? This question will take centre stage at MarkHack 5.0, Nigeria’s leading marketing, media and innovation conference, scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With the theme, “The Culture Algorithm: AI × Human Experience,” the conference will bring together industry leaders, creatives, technologists, startups, policymakers and cultural innovators to examine how algorithms increasingly shape identity, behaviour, media and everyday life. Discussions will also explore what this shift means for brands, creators and consumers in Nigeria and across Africa.
Organised by GDM Group in partnership with Eko Innovation Centre and Brand Communicator, MarkHack 5.0 represents a deliberate move from tool-focused AI conversations to a culture-first approach. At a time when AI adoption is accelerating across marketing, media and the creative economy, the event aims to provide a platform for deeper reflection on ethics, creativity, meaning and human agency in an algorithm-driven world.
This year’s edition will feature a curated mix of high-impact sessions designed to move beyond theory into practical engagement. Keynote addresses and fireside chats will convene founders, researchers, policymakers and industry experts to unpack how AI is reshaping storytelling, consumer behaviour and trust.
A multidisciplinary hackathon and demo day will challenge startups developing solutions at the intersection of AI, culture and human experience, culminating in live demonstrations and recognition of outstanding innovations.
The conference will also introduce immersive content creation and media experiences, enabling filmmakers, creators and media professionals to experiment with new storytelling formats shaped by technology and culture. Consumer-led panels will highlight real-life perspectives, exploring how everyday users experience AI-powered platforms and digital products.
In addition, startup and corporate exhibitions will showcase innovations redefining marketing, media and engagement, while an awards segment will spotlight individuals and organisations driving meaningful change within Nigeria’s marketing, media and technology ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2022 as Nigeria’s first marketing and media hackathon, MarkHack has grown into a full-scale conference and thought leadership platform. Its evolution mirrors a broader industry shift from experimenting with emerging tools to interrogating how technology influences culture, creativity and human values.
MarkHack 5.0 offers marketers, founders, creators, investors and media practitioners an opportunity to connect, collaborate and gain practical insights into how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity in emerging markets.
Registration is currently open, with applications closing on March 31, 2026.
