Young Germans showcase “AI for Society”

In Germany, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow sought - and found - creative solutions from young people for a better future under the theme "AI for Society". The 3 winning teams, who stood out from 132 impressive entries for their compelling approaches to using artificial intelligence for social progress, have been announced.

Solve for Tomorrow has two goals: The first is to teach the younger generation skills for the future, such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. At the same time, the program aims to inspire young people and give them the opportunity to put their ideas for a better future into practice.

A recent study shows that these goals meet Gen Z’s needs. Young people want self-fulfillment, and 55 percent of those surveyed can imagine finding it in a fulfilling side business. AI is almost a natural part of their working lives: for 62 percent, it is the first resource that comes to mind when they need support at work.*

This is why this year Samsung not only looked for business models that use AI to make progress in areas such as education, health and sustainability, but also promoted skills in dealing with AI as part of the program. In the idea phase, the top 5 teams had access to the CRYSTAL AI tool from project partner Germantech to validate their business ideas using artificial intelligence.

Impressive pitches at the Idea Slam in Berlin

The top 5 teams showcased their progress in Solve for Tomorrow at the final pitch in Berlin ahead of the IFA. What better environment could there be to celebrate tech innovations for a better tomorrow than a platform that has provided a big stage for promising technologies for 100 years? In the form of an Idea Slam, moderated by Aminata Belli, the teams presented their approaches to using AI for better health, accessibility and sustainability.

The three winning teams convinced the five-member jury consisting of Prof. Dr. Britta M. Gossel from the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Maria Gross, Managing Director of Germantech, Marcus Peters, Global Project & Marketing Manager and AI expert at Samsung Electronics, Leon Reiner, Managing Director of Impact Hub Berlin and Daniel von Wedel, angel investor and entrepreneur.

Aura

The Aura team from Berlin is tackling the challenges of medication management and the loneliness in an aging population. The team has developed an AI-based health assistant in the form of a networked box with an integrated display and dispenser for pills and other medications. Aura is designed to provide users with accurate medication management and emotional support. In this way, it promotes independence and can improve the quality of life of elderly people and those suffering from dementia.

Arana AI

Arana AI aims to bridge the gap between computer precision and human intuition. The AI-based platform is designed to improve the daily lives of the visually impaired and elderly. Despite screen readers and other tools, advanced computer technology is often out of reach for blind people. With Large Language Models (LLM), Arana AI makes this world accessible to people with visual impairments. The chat service already has 500 users and its first paying subscribers.

ExoHeal

ExoHeal from Bremen is developing an advanced solution for people with hand paralysis. The smart glove combines robotics, AI and neuroplasticity to enable rapid rehabilitation. Thanks to a user-friendly app, the therapy can be carried out comfortably at home, reducing inconvenient visits to the doctor's office.

ExoHeal's ambitious goal is to help more than 500,000 patients over the next few years and provide rehabilitation facilities with an efficient and advanced treatment method.

The winning teams of Solve for Tomorrow 2024 will be given the opportunity to participation in the impact phase of the program, as well as the prize money and technical equipment. In the coming months, the teams will be supported in further developing their business ideas to achieve real impact in everyday life. The renowned start-up incubator Impact Hub Berlin is on board to provide professional support. In addition, the teams will be supported by various Samsung mentors who will guide them along the way.

"I am thrilled with the performance of all the teams! It is impressive how they have achieved their first milestones in such a short time with so much energy and openness. This year, the potential is particularly great that we will see the teams' first applications in practice in the near future," said Peter Höhn, Senior Professional Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics GmbH.

* For the study, Edelman Data & Intelligence and Dynata, on behalf of Samsung, surveyed 7,052 people aged 18-27, including 2,004 people with a second job in Germany, France, the UK, Korea and the US. The online survey was conducted between May 2 and May 16, 2024. The survey was designed to ensure a representative sample by age and gender in each market.

Reference

• Samsung Electronics Newsroom (Germany): Mit AI zum Erfolg: Gewinner des Innovationswettbewerbs Solve for Tomorrow 2024 stehen fest