LONDON, UK – October 30, 2024 – Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has unveiled that Northern Ireland is set to become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the United Kingdom, with a staggering 77% of young people in the country looking to pursue a career in technology. The findings align with data from the Intellectual Property Office, which shows that patent applications have increased by 33% in Northern Ireland between 2022-23, compared to an increase of just 11% in London.

Whilst a high proportion of young people living in the Capital are considering working in technology (69%), other potential hotbeds for future innovators include the West Midlands (63%), North-East (63%), East of England (62%), East Midlands (61%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (57%).

In terms of cities, Coventry scored highly (79%), with Cambridge (76%) and Birmingham (71%) also being seen as future hotbeds for inventions and tech.

When it comes to motivation, almost half (48%) of young people polled were confident that they could invent or develop a technology product that would positively impact society. This desire for ‘tech for good’ can also be seen amongst the 85% of young people who believe that a career in technology would allow them to positively contribute to society, and the 20% who would be interested in working in tech start-ups with societal purpose. Other key areas of technology young people aspire to have a career in include app development (41%), cybersecurity (35%), AI for Good (31%) and health-based technology (30%).

The findings have been released as Samsung launches its fifth Solve for Tomorrow competition, which aims to find and support young innovators across the UK.

The research revealed that although young people are particularly ambitious when it comes to their ability to make positive change to the world through tech, they are facing challenges in making this a reality. In fact, the study found 39 per cent of those polled believe there are too few resources for them to make a change in society through technology. This is despite a third (33%) believing they have what it takes to create the next big tech invention.

Breaking Barriers To Entry

Despite the ambition of young people across the country, there’s still a strong sense that making a change in the world through tech isn’t an option for everyone. When asked, 96% of young people believed there are barriers to entering the tech industry, and 65% believe that their personal background impacts their ability to harness their creativity through tech.

A lack of education (40%), practical experience (36%) and lack of contacts or mentors in the industry (31%) were listed as the top barriers to entry for young people.

Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition asks 16–25-year-olds to come up with ideas that help solve societal challenges, then help bring them to life through offering free educational workshops, mentoring, funding and support.

Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We’re beyond excited to kick-off our fifth year of Solve for Tomorrow. Innovation is for everyone and no young person should ever feel discouraged to pursue a good idea. This is why we’re proud to be working with our partners Social Mobility Foundation and InnovateHer again this year. Our research shows the UK is full of young people with confidence and potential, but they still feel like they don’t have the support they need to make a difference through tech. That’s what the Solve for Tomorrow programme aims to address.”

Applications to the competition are now open, following a panel discussion launch event held at Samsung KX to inspire future changemakers, and featuring rapper and entrepreneur, Krept. The competition offers two age categories – 16-18 and 18-25. Winning teams in both categories receive £10,000 cash prize in funding, and three months expert mentoring with a personalised action plan, to help bring their ideas to life. Young people across the country can visit the Solve For Tomorrow website for more information, and enter here.

About his role as a Solve for Tomorrow ambassador, British musician, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Krept. said: “As an entrepreneur, I’ve been in the position where you have an idea but you don’t know how to make it a reality. It’s a struggle everyone faces, but unfortunately, it’s easier for some to get around that than others. Programmes like Solve for Tomorrow from Samsung are great – they help remove the barriers young people face, whether it’s not having a degree or not knowing the right person – I’m thrilled to be involved in this initiative.”

Sarah Atkinson, CEO of Social Mobility Foundation, said of the programme partnership: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At The Social Mobility Foundation, we work towards creating a culture where young people from all social backgrounds can thrive, leading to more representation and innovation. Solve for Tomorrow equips and empowers young minds to create solutions to real-world issues and we are proud to be partnering again with Samsung on this exciting initiative.”

Talking at the panel event at KX, Chelsea Slater, CEO at InnovateHer, also commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Samsung on the Solve for Tomorrow initiative, which aligns perfectly with InnovateHer’s mission to empower the next generation of diverse innovators. This programme gives young people, especially girls, the opportunity to tackle real-world problems using technology, while building essential skills for the future. By working together, we’re ensuring that more young women are inspired, included, and equipped to lead in the tech industry—helping to create a more inclusive and innovative future for everyone.”

To enter this year’s competition, go to: www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/competition/

Methodology
Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.

Patent information was obtained via the Intellectual Property Office.

Credit: Andy Tye

LONDON, UK – 15^th September 2021 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd has evolved the brand’s presence within Selfridges’ technology & lifestyle floor to give customers a more transformative and lifestyle-first retail experience. Located on the lower ground floor of Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street, the space was conceptualised by brand innovation studio Dalziel & Pow in the brand’s latest collaboration with the studio.

The vision for the new space in Selfridges was born out of a desire to fuse fashion and sustainability into a premium retail environment that better reflects customer’s evolving lifestyle ambitions. By creating a space ‘where innovation meets individuality,’ Samsung wanted to offer customers a shopping experience that is creative, original and provocative in ways that inspire and empower consumers to express their individuality through technology.

The architectural palette for the new store took inspiration from the innovation, environmental and creative values of both Samsung and Dalziel & Pow. By selecting a minimal collection of sustainable materials, alongside fashion-inspired details, the transformation provided the perfect canvas to hero Samsung’s innovative products.

Commenting on the reopening, Mark Seaman – Senior Director, New Business Development at Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland said: “The unique design aesthetic of our new space in Selfridges is a marker for how we want to reimagine the world of retail at Samsung.

Just as Selfridges is an iconic shopping brand in the UK, so too is Samsung a beacon for delivering meaningful innovation that can be customised to individual tastes. By having this incredible new space to show off our amazing technologies, we’re confident customers will love the interaction and expertise we have on offer. So, whether it’s fridges or phones, we’ve got it covered.”

Richard Marking – Design Team Leader at Dalziel & Pow added: “Today’s tech customers are digital natives and early adopters who see technology as a gateway to not just content but wider connectivity, self actualisation and personal expression. This project gave us the freedom to leave behind traditional ideas, symbols, and behaviours associated with ‘tech retail’ and to be inspired by Selfridges’ wider fashion, lifestyle and cultural references to create an innovative experience that encourages exploration and interaction.”

Whilst sitting comfortably within the wider Selfridges store environment, Samsung’s newest tech playground will be a benchmark for the new era of technology retail. As today’s tech customers are constantly adapting, Samsung wanted to create somewhere where people see technology as a gateway to creativity, communication and expression.

Product zoning of the space focused on a shift from abstract innovation in traditional categories to cross-category collections inspired by the way people want to live. The zone at the front of the space is a constantly changing interactive shop window and a platform for product launches, cross-brand collaborations, and possibly takeovers. Customers can visit the new Samsung concession store in Selfridges on Oxford Street now.

On October 12^th, Samsung invites media, retail, and industry partners to open the doors to a new realm of possibilities. Taking inspiration from last year’s successful gaming-platform set up, Samsung will unveil its latest innovations in a storybook format, told through the narrative of the Unstoppable family’s ‘house of surprises’. The immersive journey illustrates the lives of key customer profiles, highlighting the capabilities of Samsung products to inspire joy, imagination and productivity in daily life. Attendees will walk away with the desire and confidence to facilitate a shift from the comfort of their daily life to a life that sparks adventure and creativity. This is how Samsung defines a Life Unstoppable.

The format and concept of ‘Life Unstoppable: the house of surprises’ creates a sense of personability and simplicity in a genre which can often become complex to the average consumer. With this unique experience, Samsung continues to create human-driven innovations that defy barriers and enable customers to live more connected and innovative lives – all of which will become apparent throughout the duration of the event.

“For almost two years, our homes have become safe havens, allowing us to take refuge from the COVID turbulence of the outside world. Our mobiles and tablets allowed us to stay connected to family and friends. TVs gave many a means of escape. As we look to the future, many of us are left feeling uninspired by our homes. So at Samsung, we continue to launch amazing innovations that are loved by our customers. We are excited to unveil our new line-up of devices for 2021, which will bring a new sense of delight to homes around Europe, fueling a Life Unstoppable” said Benjamin Braun, Samsung Europe’s Chief Marketing Officer.

Whilst comfort zones are key during times of unrest, they are not where creativity and passion thrive. Now that our homes are transitioning to a hybrid space which provide both comfort and inspiration, most are due a much-needed reset. With the latest Life Unstoppable experience, Samsung hopes to encourage those feeling uninspired in their homes to ‘press play’ again, to ignite the spark in their homes that have become stale and a bit joyless and fall back in love with their homes once more.

Samsung’s ‘Life Unstoppable: the house of surprises’ will be open to media, retail and industry partners on 12^th October at 10:00 BST.

The experience will be publicly available from 18^th October at 10:00 BST at  www.samsung.com. #LifeUnstoppable.

Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by engineering and technology — enthralled by new gadgets and curious about what made them work. I didn’t think I could be more obsessed with technology, but 2020 proved me wrong. This year gave me an even greater appreciation for all that it does and can potentially do. We had to reshape our lives, rethink the way we operate and become more flexible — and technology made it possible for us to do so. 2020 bolstered my determination to fully tap the infinite power and potential of tech to give people personalised experiences that enrich their lives and allow them to express themselves.

As we close out this year and I think of what’s to come in 2021, I feel encouraged by all the ways Samsung is cultivating open collaboration and driving innovation forward to empower people on their personal journeys. We have never believed in a one-size-fits-all mobile experience and we never will. We led the charge with 5G and changed the shape of the future with a series of foldable smartphones. Now, we’re working on revolutionary advancements in 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) that will redefine the parameters of what mobile can do and give consumers the freedom to tailor their mobile experiences to fit their lives — not the other way around.

2020 Highlights

This year, Samsung stayed true to its mission and forged new paths for landmark technology that will shape the next era of mobile innovation. Our vision of intelligent, connected devices with mobile phones at the centre has become a reality. 2020 saw 5G — a technology Samsung has been pioneering for more than a decade — move into the limelight. Over the course of the last 10 years, Samsung laid the groundwork for the fifth generation of cellular technology by helping to build the global 5G infrastructure. And in 2019, we released the world’s first commercial 5G smartphone and tablet: The Galaxy S10 5G and Galaxy Tab S6 5G. Samsung has been pushing to democratise 5G ever since. We are closing out the year with twenty 5G devices in the Galaxy ecosystem.

There was also growing momentum behind foldable smartphones, a category we launched commercially with the Galaxy Fold in 2019 and advanced with the release of Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold2 in 2020. Through our longstanding industry-leading partnerships, we established an open ecosystem for foldable devices and fostered UX innovation that enabled us to create an enhanced user experience with optimised app interactions and displays. The Z Fold2 was praised as a smartphone that reimagines what’s possible with mobile technology and I’m excited to say, it’s just a hint of what’s to come as we continue to explore, evolve and expand this category-changing space.

We also made headway in our efforts to make the world a better, more sustainable place. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), we promoted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals on more than 80 million smartphones, mobilising and empowering the Galaxy community via our Samsung Global Goals app. And we continue to take dedicated action throughout our product lifecycle to help the world transition to a circular economy — by extending product longevity, making greater use of sustainable materials in our packaging, and creating environmentally conscious products and accessories.

Mobile Innovations to Watch in 2021

I’m thrilled with what Samsung accomplished this year, but as passionate pioneers committed to defying barriers to progress, we’re always thinking about what’s next. Our smartphones are truly becoming extensions of ourselves, and with so many people working remotely and spending more time entertaining themselves at home, video quality and capabilities on mobile devices have moved front and centre.

From teleworking and virtual celebrations to gaming and online dance challenges, the world is creating, sharing and streaming more video than ever. Whether you prefer to edit footage like a pro or just want intelligent, multitasking lenses to do the heavy lifting for you, the Samsung Galaxy will be more than ready to meet the demands of the video-obsessed in 2021. When it comes to advancement in this space, it’s going to be an epic new year.

Our engineers and developers have also been working hard to expand highly advanced on-device AI capabilities within the Galaxy family, enabling our devices to continually learn from daily activities and routines to take better pictures and videos, maximise battery life and storage space, optimise displays and much more. We’re planning to expand these personalised capabilities to every facet of Galaxy’s product portfolio to empower people to be productive and do all the things they enjoy.

And because we live in an interconnected world that requires interconnected devices, Samsung continues to vigorously support open source research and collaboration. It’s how we evolve new capabilities that can be deployed across devices, applications and services to enable more people to benefit from all that technology has to offer. Thanks to the open ecosystems we’ve created working in tandem with other like-minded industry leaders, we’re developing connected, compatible innovation that will take us into an exciting new era of integrated mobile experiences.

We’ve already advanced breakthrough technologies like ultra-wideband (UWB) through ongoing open collaboration with key partners. And soon, we’ll be rolling out incredible connectivity capabilities that will transform the way you open doors and enable seamlessly integrated car experiences that make personalised car connectivity a part of your digital life. We’re also making it easier to quickly locate the things that matter most, from your keys to your wallet — even your family pet.

As we introduce new and exciting innovations, our number-one goal is and will always be to create experiences that people can trust, knowing we’ll treat their data with the utmost care and keep their personal information safe every step of the way. These new devices will offer incredible personalised mobile experiences and will be built with security and privacy top of mind.

The Samsung Promise

We believe everyone should have access to the latest mobile technologies and a spectrum of product options that offer unfettered, personalised experiences. In 2021, our diverse product portfolio will deliver breakthrough capabilities that empower you and never hold you back.

True to our heritage of staying ahead of the curve with trailblazing mobile tech, we’ll be expanding our portfolio of foldables, so this groundbreaking category is more accessible to everyone. And while we’re already known for our revolutionary cameras, we’ll never stop trying to outdo ourselves — so be on the lookout for super-intelligent, pro-grade camera and video capabilities in 2021. We’ve also been paying attention to people’s favourite aspects of the Galaxy Note experience and are excited to add some of its most well-loved features to other devices in our lineup.

Limitations and boundaries are for other brands. At Samsung, we relentlessly test the existing rules because we know the margins for what technology can do are confined only by the scope of our imagination — and ours knows no bounds.

Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2020. I look forward to sharing more in January!

Join us on 23rd September 2020 for a Galaxy Unpacked for Every Fan event. The event will be available at Samsung Newsroom UK and Samsung.com/uk at 15:00 BST.

Visit Samsung Newsroom UK and Samsung Mobile Press for regular updates ahead of the event as well as the latest device information and multimedia resources.

▲HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics

The start of a new year is often a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. It is a moment when we take stock of our challenges and opportunities and begin to chart a path forward.

And what better place to look forward than at the world’s largest consumer technology conference – CES 2020, in Las Vegas. It is a conference I look forward to every year, where the most innovative in our industry gather to show people the future and shape the direction of technology.

I’m so excited to have Samsung Electronics at CES once again, leading the conversation about world-changing technological innovations. But as exciting as it is, I have to say that this year is especially unique. It’s the start of a new decade, and I’m honored to kick it off by hosting Samsung’s pre-show keynote on January 6^th.

A milestone year like 2020 gives us a chance to look at the last ten years and set the scene for what’s to come. As I look back, I see a decade of tremendous progress; the smart, connected mobile device became nearly ubiquitous; the Internet of Things (IoT), nascent in 2010, emerged to become one of the biggest growth categories in technology. Today, the majority of our devices are IoT-enabled, and we’ll continue to make them as connected and intelligent as possible in a way that makes sense for our consumers. And of course, artificial intelligence (AI) took shape and is poised to be one of the most impactful technologies of our lifetime, shaping and molding the new ways we live and work.

It is against this backdrop that we gather in Las Vegas for a new decade, to look at what’s ahead. At Samsung, we see a future of opportunity. With the emergence of AI and IoT, finally enabled by the power of 5G, the start of 2020 marks a moment where the realization of our vision for an intelligently connected world becomes a reality.

Of course, to understand the future, we must know where consumers are headed, as their changing tastes and interests continue to propel our company forward. Today, rapid urbanization and shifting demographics are changing how our worlds appear. And with these changes come countless new opportunities to innovate, and to deliver new value to consumers and society. Because as we look ahead, we know people want more. Not simply more things, but more experiences that make these new technologies increasingly meaningful in their lives.

And so at the dawn of a new decade, we see a new age in technology: the Age of Experience.

The Age of Experience will be defined by personalized technology that meets your needs. It means that the devices you use will understand you as an individual, blurring the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds, and changing the way you interact with your cities and communities.

The Age of Experience will help you make a tangible connection with technology in a personal way that was not possible in the past. Instead of changing your routine to incorporate more devices, your devices will work seamlessly for you. Just imagine how much more you could accomplish with an ‘intelligent companion’ that supports you, instantly reacting to your needs.

And what makes this moment particularly exciting is that Samsung is uniquely positioned to lead in this Age of Experience. With our robust investment and proven leadership in IoT, AI and 5G, the experiences of tomorrow will be built on the technologies that Samsung pioneers today.

But what is perhaps the most important for Samsung – and what I am looking forward to sharing further on stage at CES – is our commitment to ensuring that all of these advancements are used as a force for good. I have always believed that technology has a responsibility to be used to better our experiences, to create a better place for all. At Samsung, innovation is about maximizing human potential and working with our valued partners through open collaboration to develop technologies that advance humanity, and I believe that the Age of Experience will set the bar high for 2020 and beyond.

In the end, innovation is not the goal in itself, but a starting point to create a better world as a society, so everything – from consumers, to innovators, to the tech in your home – can work together for tomorrow.

We’ve got so much in store, and I’m excited to share more about how the Age of Experience comes to life in 2020 and beyond. I hope you’ll join me on Monday, January 6^th.

By HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics

• The report, canvassing the views of 5,250 people, marks the launch of FAIR Future, a new Samsung initiative to involve everyone in AI by making it easier to understand
• FAIR Future is the nation’s biggest ever conversation about AI, reconnecting everyday people with one of the most important technologies of our age
• Samsung is taking the initiative into communities across the UK through its festivals programme and via its online FAIR Future hub to allow everyone to learn more about AI, how it is already part of their lives, and share their views on how it should be developed
• Minister for Digital, Matt Warman and AI expert and author of Hello World, Hannah Fry, are backing the nationwide initiative

The Samsung FAIR Future report [1] launches today revealing that, despite sometimes negative portrayals in the news and fiction, the public is excited about the positive impact of AI on society. But people feel left out of the conversations around how it’s being developed and are concerned it will discriminate against certain groups.

“Minister for Digital, Matt Warman, speaking at the launch of the initiative”

AI will be a force for good

The FAIR Future report, which canvassed the views of 5,250 people across the UK and Ireland aged 13+, reveals over half (51%) of all people feel that AI will have a positive impact on society as a whole, with only 16% feeling negative about it.

People are looking forward to new AI technology bringing us enhanced healthcare (63%) and giving the elderly or those with disabilities more autonomy in their lives (56%).

And, despite reports predicting the disruptive impacts of AI on different aspects of our lives, very few people are worried about AI as a threat to society – just 20% think it is dangerous.

Lack of influence

Yet, despite feeling optimistic about the impact of AI on society, many feel helpless to influence the way this technology develops, as well as the ethics that govern it.

Over a third (36%) of people believe they or their family will have no influence over how AI develops in future. This is even higher amongst teenagers (58%), who will arguably be most impacted by this technology in future.

Concerns over bias

People want to influence AI ethics because they are concerned about how the technology might affect society in future.

Almost four in ten (39%) feel that AI will hold some form of bias, even higher (43%) for those who say they are interested in AI, mainly because of the potential for humans to programme their own biases into it.

People believe this bias might encourage people to act on their existing prejudices (35%) and that this will be exacerbated for groups that already face discrimination in society based on their race, gender, sexuality or beliefs (31%).

Over two-thirds (70%) are concerned that there could be future conflict between AI and humans, with 27% of young people seeing this as a significant issue. This may be influenced by the fact that most people get their information about AI from the media, word of mouth and fiction, as opposed to those closest to the development of the technology such as the government or tech companies3. For example, just 30% of people who frequently see AI in fiction say it is portrayed positively.

Ethical dilemmas

People are also keen to have a say in how AI ethics are shaped, as opinion is still divided about how we approach the ethical dilemmas AI will face.

When asked about potential ethical dilemmas, many people were unable to definitively say how they thought AI should respond. For example, whether an automated car should opt to save multiple lives of pedestrians over the life of a driver, or whether AI technology should be used if it saves lives but costs people their jobs.

That’s why Samsung is launching its FAIR Future initiative, to involve everyone in AI, by;

• Creating a FAIR Future online hub, to help people better understand what AI is, how AI is already part of their lives, and explore how it might evolve in the future
• Taking FAIR Future on the road and into communities – letting people get ‘hands-on’ with the latest tech, and hearing how they want AI to help them, starting with Norwich Science Festival in October 2019.
• Sharing what we learn with wider AI stakeholders, including the UK Government, to help inform broader thinking about AI ethics and shape the future

Hannah Fry, Associate Professor in the mathematics of cities at University College London, has explored the implications of AI on human society in her book Hello World and is supporting Samsung’s FAIR Future initiative to encourage more people to have a say in how AI ethics is shaped.

“It’s difficult to imagine an industry that will be untouched by AI – from how we travel, to how we diagnose and treat medical conditions or sentence criminals. The changes that are coming are going to affect all of us – for better or worse – and we all deserve a say in what our future should look like.

“Dr Hannah Fry at the FAIR Future event”

“That’s why it’s so important to open the doors to a national conversation. It’s why I’m enormously proud to be part of this project, to de-mystify artificial intelligence, to take stock of the public’s attitude to AI, and to hear people’s concerns. To do so in a way that invites rather than excludes and to allow everyone to be a part of shaping the way ahead.”

Teg Dosanjh, Director of Connected Living for Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “Over the past few years, we, the tech industry, have not done a good job at making AI understandable to everyday people. People feel disconnected and unable to influence the technology that will shape the way they live in future. This needs to change if AI is going to become a technology that benefits human beings and helps everyone in society.

“That’s why at Samsung we’re leading the nation’s biggest ever conversation on AI from the bottom-up to hear the views of real people. It’s clear that people want a role in helping shape the future of AI ethics and with our programme of events and online hub, we’re reconnecting everyone with one of the most influential technologies of our age. Through this, we hope to stimulate awareness, understanding and promote individual control of AI in people’s lives.

“We’ll also be sharing these extensive and unique consumer insights with stakeholders that will shape the future strategy of AI and ultimately give consumers more control over the development and application of this technology.”

Minister for Digital Matt Warman, said: “It is great to see Samsung launch their FAIR Future initiative to encourage people around the country to discuss artificial intelligence. We are already seeing AI being used in our daily lives – from helping to tackle fake news, detecting cancer earlier and identifying fraudulent transactions – but it is important that the public have faith in the technology so that we can explore its full potential.

“Through the AI Council and the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation Government has empowered leaders across tech, academia and business to make the most of cutting-edge technology as a force for good. We want to make sure the UK remains a world leader in computing technologies and I encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.”

To find out more about the FAIR Future programme and download the full report, visit the website at

[1]  https://www.samsung.com/uk/FAIRFuture