Attended by Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer (CDO) at Samsung Electronics; Giusy Versace, Senator of the Italian Republic; Ollie Dudfield, Olympism365 Associate Director at IOC; and Domenico De Maio, Education & Culture Director of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, the Exhibition provided a space in which selected Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors could directly showcase their solutions on the biggest stage.

▲ Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer of Samsung Electronics, takes a commemorative selfie with global Samsung Solve for Tomorrow ambassadors at the exhibition venue.

▲ A view of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow exhibition held in Milan, Italy, showcasing innovative solutions developed by youth ambassadors from around the world.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global platform that empowers young innovators to address real-world challenges using skills in the fields of AI technology or STEM. By fostering creativity and critical thinking, the program encourages students to innovate and develop impactful solutions to local and global issues. Through hands-on projects, participants gain the skills and confidence to tackle complex problems, transforming their ideas into actionable solutions. This initiative not only nurtures the next generation of leaders but also strengthens the global community by connecting young minds across borders to share knowledge and inspire collective progress. After the work Samsung did for Solve for Tomorrow with the IOC in the lead up to Paris 2024, the program has been strengthened through the collaboration with the IOC by launching “Social Change Through Sport & Technology – Sport & Tech” as one of the global themes for Solve for Tomorrow competition 2025.

Displayed as prototypes in their respective booths were AKQUA-Gel, an AI-based smart bandage solution that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data developed by Arya Anilkumar, Anna Huang, Aishwarya Reddy, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya, and Elaine Zuo; and Kroove, a Solve for Tomorrow Italy-winning community-based app developed by Davide Casciaro and Francesco Emmanuel Stringaro that promotes sporting activities.

A key principle of Solve for Tomorrow is design thinking, which involves innovators learning how to manifest their ideas as usable, tangible objects in the real world. As such, the Ambassadors also took part in a bespoke Innovation workshop led by the Olympism365 Innovation Hub, organized collaboratively by Samsung and the IOC — with the objective of preparing them for what is next in their innovation journeys.

▲ Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer of Samsung Electronics, delivers a keynote speech at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Global ambassador Exhibition held in Milan, Italy.

“At Samsung, we believe that young people already have what it takes to build a better future,” said Mauro Porcini, CDO at Samsung Electronics. “Our role is to support that journey — to provide the space, the tools and the trust that allow their ideas to grow into something meaningful.”

“The solutions exhibited today were truly impressive and are a hallmark of improving communities through passion and ingenuity,” said Senator Giusy Versace. “With future leaders as innovative as the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors, it is clear that the world is in good hands.”

Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors Exhibit Solutions

Each booth at the Exhibition allowed hands-on experience of a Solve for Tomorrow solution, with the students on hand to introduce the problem they identified, the solution they developed and how technology plays a role in bringing that solution to life. Guests were able to ask questions, engage with the students, and experience their ideas firsthand.

▲ Danielle Yang from the U.S. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow ambassador team, Storm Shield, presents a wearable solution designed to enable safe physical activity while using hearing assistive devices.

For example, at the Storm Shield experience, guests tried on the headband and a demonstrator approached them from two meters away. As they approached — indicating an obstacle — the headband vibrated, with vibrations varying depending on distance. At the MyVision Experience, guests were able to walk slowly with the cane, which recognized obstacles on the floor and vibrated to alert the user to danger.

Meanwhile, the AKQUA-Gel and Kroove booths provided in-depth, interactive explanations of the ways in which the prototype solutions provided smarter health solutions and brought communities together through sports, respectively.

At the exhibition, there were all ten solutions from the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors, as follows:

The Five Sport & Tech Ambassador Teams

Australia | Team Up: Ahan Khiani

An AI-based platform that connects individuals with local sports teams and communities to increase participation in recreational sports.

Indonesia | Run Sight: Anthony Feriyanto

A wearable AI solution that helps people with visual impairments safely participate in running and other physical activities by detecting lanes and obstacles.

Türkiye | Poseidon: Umut Devrim Deveci

A swimming safety system for visually impaired users that provides vibration alerts through a wristband when approaching boundaries or obstacles.

Great Britain | Curastep: Raye Woon

Smart sneakers equipped with sensors to detect early signs of blister formation in people with diabetes and encourage safe physical activity.

United States | Storm Shield: Danielle Yang

A protective sports headband designed to shield hearing aids from moisture, impact and environmental damage during physical activity.

The Five Accessibility and Environment Ambassador Teams

China | Furen Makers: Chenyue Wang

A brainwave-controlled wheelchair designed to support people with ALS and physical disabilities in mobility, rehabilitation and sports participation.

France | Liova: Simon Cénet 

A reusable battery production kit that transforms discarded smartphone batteries into portable power banks to reduce electronic waste.

India | Paraspeak: Pranet Khetan

A cloud-based AI solution that converts unclear speech into clear pronunciation in real time for people with speech impairments.

Türkiye | Oilsorb: irem Erden

A sustainable oil spill response solution using reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drone technology to address marine pollution.

United States | AKQUA-Gel: Arya Anilkumar

An AI-powered smart bandage that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data.

The Spirit of Excellence in the Pursuit of Unity

Through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung supports the journey of expanding the potential of youth into social impact around the world. It is with this in mind that the company hosted the Solve for Tomorrow Exhibition while another global event celebrating excellence and togetherness, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Each event represents a yearslong journey in the pursuit of excellence for the greater good, the transition of potential to real impact.

“It is energizing to witness the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors showcase their innovative solutions firsthand, particularly in the context of the Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, which placed a strong emphasis on inspiring and educating young people across Italy to encourage participation, inclusion and lifelong engagement in sport,” said Ollie Dudfield, Olympism365 Associate Director at IOC. “The work of the Ambassadors reflects our shared belief — across the IOC, Samsung and Milano Cortina 2026 — in youth engagement and in the impact sport and technology can have as catalysts for positive social change.”

“These young Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors have put in long, difficult, hours — all in the name of benefiting their communities,” said Domenico De Maio, Education & Culture Director at the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. “Seeing the incredible results of all that work is awe-inspiring, and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation is proud to have been associated with this Exhibition.”

Find out more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow at https://csr.samsung.com/en/.

The announcement was made in Milan, where the ambassador program announcement is being held in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The three-day program runs from Feb. 8–10 and includes an appointment ceremony, a solution exhibition and networking activities.

Solve for Tomorrow is Samsung’s global problem-solving platform that supports young people in developing innovative STEM-based solutions to address local and global challenges. This year’s global ambassadors were selected from winning teams of Solve for Tomorrow regional competitions around the world, with the final selection being made through a joint evaluation by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) based on the innovation, scalability and social impact of each solution. The 10 selected teams are divided into two focus areas — Sport & Tech, and Accessibility & Environment — with five teams chosen in each category.

As part of the Ambassador program, each selected team will receive funding, along with up to two years of continued support from Samsung to help transform their prototypes into commercially viable products. Five teams in the Sport & Tech category will be jointly supported by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

During the ceremony, two Solve for Tomorrow alumni — Danielle Yang, a Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Ambassador in Sport & Tech, and Simon Cénet of Team Liova from France — shared personal stories and insights on youth innovation and the real-world impact of their projects.

Yang, who has a hearing disability herself, explained her motivation for participating in the program, stating, “I joined Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to address the challenges I experienced in my daily life.” She added, “With the support of Samsung Electronics and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), I am truly honored and delighted to have the opportunity to share my idea with the world, even on the Olympic stage.”

“Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, I gained the confidence that my idea can create positive change in society,” said İrem Erden, an Ambassador from Türkiye who won a regional competition with OilSorb, a marine oil spill response solution that utilizes reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drones. “As a selected ambassador, I will strive to inspire more generations.”

 

 

Sustainable Innovation in Sport & Tech

Held under the theme “Sport & Tech,” the aim of Samsung’s 2026 Ambassador program is to empower youth to drive sustainable innovation through the intersection of sports, technology and leadership. The official appointment ceremony took place at Samsung House in Milan and was attended by approximately 80 global stakeholders, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry; Jae Youl Kim, IOC Executive Board Member and President of Samsung Global Research; Olympism 365 Commission Chair Auvita Rapilla; Olympism 365 Commission Member Nawal El Moutawakel; and Won-Jin Lee, President and Head of Global Marketing at Samsung Electronics.

 

Commitment moment in the appointment ceremony underscored the shared commitment of Samsung and the IOC to jointly nurturing future talent and empowering young people to help shape a better world. This commitment was brought to life through a stage performance in which the composite logos of both organizations were brought together by unfolding and overlapping the Galaxy Z TriFold, completing the visual composition. The act of opening the Galaxy Z TriFold symbolically represented the expansion of ideas and potential, as well as the shared belief of Samsung and the IOC in opening new possibilities as young people step forward to lead the future.

 

“The projects are truly inspiring: full of creativity, imagination, and passion to make a real difference. You’re using technology to shape a future that is more inclusive, more sustainable, healthier and more active,” said IOC President Coventry. “I am especially excited to see the first-ever Sport & Tech winners — combining sport, technology, and problem-solving in ways that can truly change lives.”

 

“Through Solve for Tomorrow and our collaboration with the IOC, we are creating environments where young people can discover their strengths, express their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Global Marketing Head Lee. “We are not only supporting innovation but also nurturing future leaders who will carry forward the values of excellence, respect, friendship — and creativity.”

 

Solution Exhibition and Innovation Workshop

On Feb. 9, the ambassador teams will showcase the solutions they developed at Smart City Lab in Milan and attend an innovation-themed workshop led by the IOC’s Olympism365 Innovation Hub that will equip the ambassadors with the skills to be an innovator of sustainable development in the world of sports. The exhibition will be attended by representatives from the IOC, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee and various Italian government agencies.

 

On Feb. 10, the ambassadors will take part in a series of on-site programs and official activities, as well as a visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Village. Through these experiences, Samsung is supporting the ambassadors in deepening their understanding of sports, technology and the meaning of the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit.

 

 

Details regarding the 10 newly selected Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador teams and their projects are as follows:

 

The Five Sport & Tech Ambassador Teams

 

Australia | TeamUp: Ahan Kiani

An AI-based platform that connects individuals with local sports teams and communities to increase participation in recreational sports.

 

Indonesia | Run Sight: Anthony Edbert Feriyanto, Kaindra Rizq Sachio, Muhammed Fazil Tirtana and Ariq Maulana Malki Ibrahim

A wearable AI solution that helps people with visual impairments safely participate in running and other physical activities by detecting lanes and obstacles.

 

Türkiye | Poseidon: Umut Devrim Deveci and Efe Cem Öztürk

A swimming safety system for visually impaired users that provides vibration alerts through a wristband when approaching boundaries or obstacles.

 

Great Britain | Curastep: Raye Woon and Sarah

Smart sneakers equipped with sensors to detect early signs of blister formation in people with diabetes and encourage safe physical activity.

 

United States | Storm Shield: Danielle Yang, Sara Carmona, Isha Harbaugh, Koel Harbaugh, Audrey Adams, Nikki Beshkar and Emily Wang

A protective sports headband designed to shield hearing aids from moisture, impact and environmental damage during physical activity.

 

The Five Accessibility and Environment Ambassador Teams

 

China | Furen Makers: Chenyue Wang, Ziyang Ma, Qiuyue Wang and Hewei Wen 

A brainwave-controlled wheelchair designed to support people with ALS and physical disabilities in mobility, rehabilitation and sports participation.

 

France | Liova: Simon Cénet and Evan Dessables

A reusable battery production kit that transforms discarded smartphone batteries into portable power banks to reduce electronic waste.

 

India | Paraspeak: Pranet Khetan

A cloud-based AI solution that converts unclear speech into clear pronunciation in real time for people with speech impairments.

 

Türkiye | Oilsorb: İrem Erden, Ece Deniz Sayar, Ela Aksoy and Meryem Melis Çınar

A sustainable oil spill response solution using reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drone technology to address marine pollution.

 

United States | Aqua-Gel:Arya Anilkumar, Anna Huang, Aishwarya Reddy, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya and Elaine Zuo 

An AI-powered smart bandage that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data.