With AI in the classroom, students aren’t cutting corners—they’re building the skills to lead tomorrow’s world.
GUEST COLUMN | by Allison Stransky
Emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are transforming how we live, learn, and work, at unprecedented speed. Across the workforce, 92% of companies plan to increase their AI investments over the next three years, and the majority of U.S. managers already use AI in some capacity–a signal of exponential transformation to come.
For the next generation, fluency in AI is essential, and classrooms are the training ground to make it real. While 96% of teachers already believe that AI is the future of education, skepticism today lingers as 1 in 4 U.S. K-12 teachers believe AI tools do more harm than good. When applied with intention, AI can turn classrooms into launchpads for discovery, innovation, and community impact.
‘When applied with intention, AI can turn classrooms into launchpads for discovery, innovation, and community impact.’
For 16 years, my company’s Solve for Tomorrow program has been exposing young people to emerging technologies by challenging students across the world to develop real-world solutions and creatively problem-solve challenges in their communities.
Here’s are three lessons we’ve learned about the benefits of empowering youth to explore AI and other emerging technologies through Solve for Tomorrow:
1) AI in the classroom isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about enriching the learning process.
Exposure to AI tools helps students think critically, test ideas, and collaborate more effectively. Rather than rote memorization, they are pushed to explore new possibilities, analyze complex problems, and generate creative solutions.
AI Hands-on experiences combined with practical application is what really makes the difference. The more students engage with AI platforms, the more naturally they begin to explore and leverage its immense potential. When applied to real challenges, AI shifts from being abstract theory to a tangible tool—sparking curiosity, fueling exploration, and encouraging creativity. In this way, AI can empower students to take an active role in shaping their own learning journey.
2) The jobs of tomorrow will demand adaptability, creativity, and fluency with technology.
McKinsey projects that by 2030, up to 30% of tasks in most occupations could be automated—making digital fluency essential for tomorrow’s workers. Giving students early exposure to AI prepares them to thrive in this changing landscape.
‘Through immersive projects that leverage AI, students gain more than technical know-how, they develop essential life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork.’
Through immersive projects that leverage AI, students gain more than technical know-how, they develop essential life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. These experiences build confidence and readiness not only for future careers, but also for civic engagement and leadership. AI equips young people with the tools to navigate uncertainty and lead innovation in their communities and beyond.
3) AI is not just about personal advancement; it’s also about collective problem-solving.
Programs like Solve for Tomorrow show how students can harness technology to tackle issues that matter most in their neighborhoods. Solve for Tomorrow has empowered students to apply technology to real-world problems such as the mental health crisis, climate change and accessibility inclusivity.
One Solve for Tomorrow winner captured it best: “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow showed us all that even as high school students, you could have a positive impact, that if there’s a problem in the community, you have the power to fix it.” By engaging with AI and technology in meaningful ways, students discover that they already have the ability to create change.
‘By engaging with AI and technology in meaningful ways, students discover that they already have the ability to create change.’
Our broader initiatives—including Samsung Innovation Campus, which builds job readiness skills, and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Teacher Academy, which provides professional development for educators to bring STEM into the classroom—extend this mission, ensuring both educators and students have access to resources that foster innovation, creativity, and impact at scale.
A launchpad for the future
By investing in today’s students, we’re not just shaping the next generation of learners. Programs like these help unlock students’ full potential and shape a better future both for our young people and the next-gen workforce—because the best way to prepare students for the future is to give them the tools to build it.
To learn more and apply now, visit here. Applications are open until November 5, 2025.
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Allison Stransky is the Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics America, overseeing U.S. corporate marketing and communications focused on driving profitable revenue growth and strengthening the Samsung brand. In this role, she spearheads the “One Samsung: Better Together and Enhanced by AI” strategy, bringing it to life through impactful partnerships and campaigns that showcase Samsung’s leadership in technology. Connect with Allison on LinkedIn.
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