Picture this: a student in rural Indonesia collaborates on a science presentation with peers in Singapore and Thailand, using their AI-powered tablets to translate their respective languages for one another in real-time while an intelligent display in their classrooms brings their shared workspace to life. Far from being science fiction, these scenarios are already possible today, thanks to technology.

Working with educators across Southeast Asia and Oceania, I have had the privilege to witness a generation of digital-native students who don’t just use technology; but intuitively reach for it as something deeply embedded into their every day. Compared to preceding generations, these students approach problems differently, learn differently, and simply put, are also expecting their educational experiences to match the increasingly connected world that they will one day inherit from us.

This is not a question of whether technology belongs in education, but instead, whether we can be bold enough to reimagine how education can further grow thanks to technology.

Classrooms Powered by AI

Samsung AI Assistant on the new AI-powered Interactive Display is built with intelligent, intuitive tools to organise lessons and collaborative learning

At Bett 2025 earlier this year, we unveiled something I’m genuinely excited about – our new AI-powered Interactive Display that integrates Samsung AI Assistant, equipping educators with more intelligent and intuitive tools to both organise and transform lessons.

Features like AI Summary help teachers create concise lesson recaps automatically, making planning much easier and simplifying post-class reviews for students. Meanwhile, Live Transcript converts conversations into text in real time for students to revisit and reinforce what they’ve learned in class. Armed with these tools, educators can transform lessons into dynamic and interactive experiences that maximise learning outcomes.

Students at Al Muslim Bekasi utilising the Samsung Notes app, with in-built Galaxy AI features

Furthermore, we recently rolled out the Samsung Digital Lighthouse School programme in Indonesia, starting with two schools: Al Muslim Bekasi and Salman Al Farisi Bandung. The programme aims to accelerate the digital transformation journeys of schools and enhance the learning experiences of over 2,500 students with AI-enabled Galaxy devices such as the Galaxy Tab S and A Series, with holistic protection by Samsung Knox.

At the end of the day, we want to have technology that inspires both educators and students to explore, discover and collaborate. Technology should not overshadow the human connection but instead, enhance it.

Equity and Ecosystems  

A concern that many educators have with technology is equity and access. When done right, technology can bridge, instead of widen, the gaps.

When a student in Bandung accesses the same AI-powered learning tools as someone in Seoul; when language barriers are removed through real-time translation; and when personalised learning can be adapted to the different paces and styles of both teachers and students, that is democratisation in action. A decade ago, high-speed internet used to be accessible only to those who could afford it.; today, these technologies are well within reach of most students across our region. Technology for technology’s sake doesn’t solve anything; instead, it is about creating ecosystems that benefit everyone.

However, educators are also just as concerned about having the right solutions on hand to help them fully maximise that potential, not just for students, but also for teaching staff. We work with local Edutech partners for classroom device management, as well as change management support, to better enhance learning outcomes for students. These collaborations are built around the understanding that technologies, like tablets for classrooms, are only as transformative as the support system around them. After all, tools are only as good as the hands that wield them.

Working within the System, Not Against It

Beyond devices, software and services, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of national education strategies, curriculum requirements, as well as the long-term vision for digital learning. We have been engaging and collaborating with education ministries across the region to ensure that initiatives are designed to support and integrate with these existing frameworks.  

Our Samsung Learning Hub, launched in January, exemplifies this approach. This digital resource hub for educators offers online training, teaching materials, certifications, and a community to further support teaching and learning outcomes. For digital learning initiatives to succeed, they must aim to complement and not replace traditional teaching methods.

The Imperative for Collaboration

The future of education cannot be a solo act, but must be built through collaboration among educators, students, parents, policymakers, and technology companies like Samsung. Here is my challenge to everyone reading this: whether you are an educator frustrated by the limitations of current teaching methods, a policymaker grappling with budget constraints, or even a fellow technology professional looking to make a real difference:

Let’s stop talking about the future of education and start building it. Let’s be bold enough to experiment, humbly explore new innovations to figure out what works, and persist in our efforts to continue iterating until we get it right, together.

Our students today will inherit a world shaped by AI, climate change, and other challenges that we have yet to discover. They deserve an education that prepares them not just to adapt to that world, but to lead it. For that to happen, we must also ensure that they are both enabled and empowered with the right tools and support to drive better and more effective learning outcomes in this digital-first world. Are we ready to lead it together?

Experience the Future of Education with Samsung at Bett Asia

At Samsung, we believe in building the future of education together. We welcomed attendees to experience our vision in action at Bett Asia in Kuala Lumpur that happened from 1-2 October 2025, and discover how technology can enhance, not replace, the human connection in the classroom. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with our experts, see live demonstrations, and learn how Samsung is helping create dynamic, interactive, and equitable learning environments for the next generation.

Let’s start building tomorrow’s classroom, today.

For more than a decade, a bar phone was the epitome of smartphones, providing us with a gateway to embrace digital lives. Over time, these devices have significantly grown and evolved, embodying considerable changes in both form and function.

Today, we stand at an inflection point. At Samsung, we are not just witnessing the next evolution of mobile; we are leading it, driven by a fundamental belief that technology should adapt to the nuances of how we live, work, and play, no matter how big or small.

Our latest foldable devices mark the unfolding of a new era, with devices like the new Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 as the definitive next steps in mobile computing. Defined by youthful dynamism, a mobile-first economy, and burgeoning creator culture, Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) is the perfect incubator for technology that breaks from convention. More importantly, we see tremendous opportunity in this region to empower a fundamental and lasting shift in user behavior, driven by a form factor that mirrors the different ebbs and flows of modern life.

A new form factor for new behaviours

Our journey began back in 1996, when we declared the “Year of Design Revolution.” This laid the foundation for the human-centered design ethos that continues to evolve to this day: That technology must not only help us do more, but inspire us to be more. This philosophy of putting users at the center of design underpins Samsung’s product portfolio; including the foldable category, and we are witnessing a transformation firsthand across SEAO, where two distinct new behaviors have emerged.

First, devices like the Galaxy Z Flip Series have become a vibrant statement of personal style and a catalyst for creative expression. In the hands of a new generation of creators from Southeast Asia and Oceania, it is a useful compact companion that supports their creative social commitments. We see users across the region using Flex Mode to prop the device up, freeing their hands to interact with their audience. They are filming vlogs and unique social content, while engaging with their communities with a form factor that empowers them with more flexibility and freedom. In the new Galaxy Z Flip7, an expansive 4.1-inch edge-to-edge FlexWindow enhances convenience and comfort when typing messages and the Now Brief feature is now also newly available on the FlexWindow to easily provide personalized updates like event reminders, music recommendations, and fitness summaries.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold Series is redefining productivity for a mobile-first generation of professionals and entrepreneurs. In a region known for its hustle, the Galaxy Z Fold transforms from a phone into an expansive workspace, taking users from convenience to genuine competitive advantage in an instant. This is made possible by our relentless engineering breakthroughs, from our industry-leading durable hinge design, to the continuous refinement of our vibrant, immersive foldable displays. The new Galaxy Z Fold7 is the thinnest and lightest addition to the series. With a 200 MP high-resolution camera, best-in-class processor, and Galaxy AI optimized for its flexible format and expansive screen, the device unlocks new levels of efficiency and delivers premium performance and experiences.

An intelligent canvas for a connected future

We introduced Galaxy AI in the Galaxy S24 series, defining a new era of mobile AI innovation. Since then, we have continued to develop its capabilities, and have seen more than 70% of Galaxy S25 series users leverage a suite of Samsung and Google AI tools. We are driving the future of personalized, multimodal AI and the unique architecture of a foldable is the perfect vehicle for this. With the latest One UI 8 update, our software now integrates a large-screen optimized interface with multimodal capabilities, offering experiences we couldn’t have imagined up until just a few years ago.

The Galaxy Z Fold Series come with capabilities that understand the context displayed onscreen, so you can get things done with maximized efficiency and productivity. For example, with screen sharing or camera sharing on Gemini Live, users can simply show Gemini what they are looking at and ask questions to get instant insights. Meanwhile, the combination of advanced hardware with an AI-powered ProVisual Engine offers Galaxy Z Fold7 users pro-grade camera experiences in a foldable.

As we continue to drive AI innovation, our vision is for ambient intelligence to seamlessly be integrated into daily life such that it becomes second nature. We want to build a future where your devices become much smarter and can anticipate, perceive and work in the background to help make life more effortless.

Our unwavering confidence in the unfolding future

Our journey with foldable innovation has taken us from bold concept to a thriving, mainstream category in the premium segment, and our confidence in its future has never been stronger, because we see its impact every day in the hands of our users, as well as through engagement with our passionate community on platforms like Samsung Members, where we co-create the future of the mobile experience.

For Samsung, the foldable form factor is another testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation that enriches lives. We are proud to be leading this charge, and excited to see how consumers in SEAO continue to use this technology to shape their own futures. The next chapter of mobile is not just coming; it is unfolding before our very eyes.

For more information on the Galaxy Z Series, please visit https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z/

Throughout Samsung’s history, we have made it our mission to devote our talent and technology in creating innovative products and services that contribute to the betterment of global society. As a global leader in technology, we also have a responsibility to leverage our innovations, skill and knowledge to bridge the widening digital divide and give more youths the opportunity to reap the benefits of digitalization.

Within the Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region, we are seeing rapid growth in the digital economy. This is fueled by factors such as increasing mobile penetration and social media usage, a booming e-commerce market, strong government push towards digitalization, and importantly, a population of young digital natives.

Youths are the future drivers for the region, both as consumers and innovators. As we celebrate Samsung Electronics’ 54^th anniversary globally on November 1^st, we remain committed to empowering our youth to meet the demands of the ever-evolving world, while at the same time, uplifting communities across the SEAO region.

Global programs with local impact

In the spirit of co-prosperity, we are committed to doing our part as a socially and environmentally responsible corporate citizen in the communities that we are in, and as champions of innovation, we continually push ourselves to do better in inspiring the next generation through technology. This year, we are excited to see Solve for Tomorrow (SFT), our global flagship STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) – based student competition, expand to more markets in SEAO, including Indonesia and the Philippines. SFT is also making headway in the Pacific Islands, with Samoa and Tonga kick-starting local editions for the very first time in August this year.

▲ More than 500 students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, participated in a SFT workshop in June 2023.

The 2023 edition of SFT is still ongoing in several SEAO markets, but we are already seeing massive momentum in the region, with projects covering creative solutions to address real-life challenges in a variety of themes including environment and sustainability, learning and education, wellness, and healthcare, and more. Beyond the technical competition element, our young participants also receive training in soft skills required for the future workforce, including the 4Cs of 21^st Century Skills – Communication, Collaboration, Critical thinking, and Creativity.

We estimate that over 110,000 students and over 1,000 schools are benefiting from this program so far this year, through the competition, online and offline workshops, and other SFT-related activities.

▲ For the 2021 edition of Solve for Tomorrow in Australia, students were encouraged to create fun videos that presented social issues of personal relevance while highlighting STEM-based solutions. Tasmania-based Meg Phillips emerged as the overall winner, driven by her passion for animal conservation, with an RFID-based system to warn animals of approaching cars, with the aim of reducing wildlife casualties, as well as to keep drivers safe.

Recently, Samsung New Zealand announced its SFT 2023 winners. I am especially heartened by the winning submissions that are the embodiment of why we continue to dedicate our efforts for communities through this program. For example, 12-year old Thomas Costar’s hydro turbine mechanism that helps to generate electricity through household drainage systems – the scientific approach that he took is a great example of perseverance and design thinking.

▲ Samsung Innovation Campus participants in Cambodia working diligently under the guidance of mentors.

Beyond encouraging innovative thinking with SFT, we also want to empower the next generation with practical skills needed for success in an increasingly digital world. This is where Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) comes into play. Through SIC, we want to help youth develop real-world skills in the areas of AI, IoT, big data, and coding through formalized training programs, alongside other activities like Innovation Hackathons and IoT Bootcamps.

Since first launching in Indonesia and Vietnam in 2019, we continue to ramp up our work in SEAO. This year, we are excited to add Cambodia and Laos to the program roster. To date, we estimate that over 8,000 students are participating in the program from 135 schools across Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with significant interest from a number of national universities too. We are encouraged by the incredibly positive feedback received from students on how the SIC program has helped change their perspectives towards data science, as well as helping them better navigate their education journey.

We are immensely appreciative and humbled by all the cooperation, support, and the sharing of information and learnings from the various governmental agencies and educational organizations who have graciously partnered with us on this journey. These partnerships ensure that the local editions are tailored for the unique education needs of each community, enhancing the learning experience for students, and amplify the program’s impact across the region by increasing awareness of it and supporting its rollout in the markets.

There is no doubt that having passion for education played a significant role in the remarkable success that we have achieved in the spirit of co-creation with initiatives like SFT and SIC.

As an added plus, the activation of programs like SFT and SIC created more opportunities for Samsung to further contribute to local communities and education. For example, this year in Indonesia, we signed two agreements, one is with the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Republic Indonesia to roll out the ‘Samsung Digital for Indonesia’ program in support of the local smart madrasah program, and the other one with the Institute of Technology Bandung for developing digital technology on sustainable environmental conservation.

Looking to the Next 54 Years and Beyond

At Samsung, we passionately believe that doing good is in fact, good business. We are committed to ongoing community engagements and impactful contributions, to continue growing with the SEAO region. At the same time, we look forward to working together with future generations of innovators, encouraging them to be bold and push the boundaries of innovation to shape a brighter future – not just for the next 54 years, but for generations to come.

COVID-19 has catalyzed an acceleration of our digital lives. In a COVID-normalized world, evolving needs and changes in lifestyles have led today’s consumers to seek unique digital experiences that combine both convenience and customization.

As 2022 marks the gradual reopening of borders and resumption of economic activities, we – as a global leader in technology – are committed to continue putting users at the heart of our business and laying the groundwork for a new digital future for our consumers, partners and everyone in the region.

Enabling smarter digital lives

With growing expectations for digital devices and services to work seamlessly together to fit individual lifestyles, preferences and needs, we have sharpened our focus on providing people-first products and services that better serve these post-pandemic expectations of consumers and organizations.

Homes are now multifunctional spaces, where customizable and intelligent technologies come together to create productive workplaces, home gyms and entertainment hubs – all within the same space. Our ecosystem of connected smart devices such as the Galaxy smartphones, Smart Monitors, and TVs have become even more important tools for productivity and collaboration today. Meanwhile, our SmartThings app and smart home appliances enable busy individuals to automate house chores seamlessly from their Galaxy smartphones.

To enable truly seamless and personalized experiences, we created an open and inclusive ecosystem that allows users to integrate their Samsung devices with favorite products from our partners, offering opportunities for creativity and consumers with endless possibilities.

Creating new customer journeys

The past two years have also spurred us to rethink how we can serve our customers better, while making our devices and services more accessible. COVID-19 has accelerated e-commerce growth, making online shopping a necessity. Meanwhile, the increasingly global outlook and entrenched social sharing habits of consumers have spurred our foray into new brand and retail experiences.

To that end, we have doubled down on efforts to expand and improve our retail channels and experiences. Today, our devices can be experienced and purchased directly from Samsung online stores, through online shopping partners, and even live commerce channels.

We have also invested in new and immersive ways for customers to experience our products online and offline. For example, we have launched augmented reality capabilities to better imagine how our home appliances can fit into homes. This will provide consumers the confidence to purchase our products online and help homeowners who have visited our retail showrooms with space planning.

Empowering our younger generation

Recognizing the importance of youth in the Southeast Asia & Oceania (SEAO), which is home to more than half of the world’s young people^[1], we have furthered our efforts in understanding and catering to their values, aspirations and needs. Being digital natives who grew up with the internet, these young people are optimizing connected devices and driving online services to shape the digital economy, both as consumers and innovators.

As a champion of innovation, we want to do more in empowering the next generation through our technologies and initiatives. To achieve this, we are running several programs to provide the necessary tools that help to optimize opportunities for youths, and tap into their collective energies as well as insights to shape our products and services.

For example, our team of Future Generation Lab members, consisting of our young employees, actively develop new enticing marketing content, and collaborations to better engage with millennial and Gen Z consumers. We also run the Samsung Innovation Campus, which provides youth with training in information and communications technology skills and soft skills, as well as Solve for Tomorrow, a competition that encourages students to create tangible solutions that can solve societal issues – reaching more than 80,000 students in SEAO in 2021.

Here at Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania, we constantly strive to be the trusted brand in creating new experiences for work, play, learning, and everything in between. For the rest of 2022 and beyond, we will continue to push our boundaries and grasp new opportunities, working closely with partners to empower the communities that we operate in.

[1] UNDP, Regional Human Development Report 2016