Artificial Intelligence is often associated with research laboratories, global technology companies and sophisticated computing infrastructure. Across India, however, a different AI story is unfolding.

Young innovators are applying artificial intelligence to solve problems they encounter in their everyday lives—from improving the safety of sanitation workers and making communication more accessible for people with disabilities to helping communities stay connected during disasters and making roads safer.

These ideas are among those emerging from the fifth edition of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung’s nationwide innovation programme for young people aged 14–22 years. Together, they reflect a new generation of innovators using AI not as an end in itself, but as a practical tool to improve lives.

“Artificial Intelligence will create the greatest impact when it helps solve everyday challenges faced by people and communities. What is inspiring about this year’s Top 100 teams is that they are applying AI with purpose—combining technology with empathy to address problems they understand firsthand. Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, we want to help these young innovators transform promising ideas into solutions that can create meaningful impact for society,” said Shubham Mukherjee, Head, CSR & Corporate Communications, Samsung South West Asia.

AI That Begins with Real Life

Rather than developing technology for its own sake, these young innovators identified problems within their communities and explored how AI could make solutions more accessible, affordable and scalable. Here are a few ideas inspired by local challenges across healthcare, accessibility, mobility and public safety.

Protecting Those Who Protect Our Cities

A student from Uttar Pradesh asked an often-overlooked question: how can technology make sanitation work safer?

Manual scavenging continues to highlight the safety risks sanitation workers face while cleaning septic tanks, particularly from toxic gases in confined spaces. To address this challenge, the student conceptualized an AI-assisted sensing and edge computing solution that detects hazardous gases before workers enter such spaces. The system provides a simple visual warning, helping sanitation workers identify dangerous environments before they become life-threatening.

Making Roads Safer Through AI

Inspired by the challenges motorists face when vehicles break down in remote areas, a participant from Assam is building an AI-powered roadside assistance platform that analyses vehicle faults using text, voice or images, estimates repair requirements and connects users with nearby verified mechanics while enabling live tracking and emergency support.

Giving Technology a Human Voice

Communication remains a daily barrier for millions of people with hearing or speech disabilities.

Inspired by this challenge, a student from West Bengal is working on a solution that translates Indian Sign Language into speech and text in real time, making conversations more accessible in schools, workplaces and public spaces.

Helping Communities Stay Connected During Disasters

When natural disasters disrupt communication networks, timely information can save lives.

During floods, landslides and earthquakes, damaged mobile networks can leave communities isolated and unable to call for help. Addressing this challenge, a Madhya Pradesh participant conceptualized an offline emergency communication platform that enables smartphones to relay SOS alerts using mesh networking even when conventional mobile networks are unavailable, helping communities stay connected during emergencies.

This year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow expanded its reach to 135 cities through 184 Design Thinking Workshops, enabling students to identify real-world challenges and develop innovative solutions through structured design thinking. More than half of the participants came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, highlighting the programme’s growing reach across India.

The diversity of ideas shared by students reflected the diversity of India itself. Working through structured design thinking exercises, students learned to observe, empathize, define challenges, ideate and prototype solutions aligned with the programme’s four themes—AI Living for India, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech.

The Top 100 teams are now preparing for the programme’s next milestone as they compete for a place in the Top 40. The selected teams will receive advanced mentoring from industry experts, support to strengthen their prototypes, guidance on product development and market validation, and deeper exposure to entrepreneurship as they continue their innovation journey.

As these young innovators move closer to the next stage, they are demonstrating that the future of AI in India will not be defined only by technological breakthroughs. It will be defined by how technology improves everyday life for millions of people.