Seoul, South Korea 2025 – At the 15th anniversary of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung's grassroots global problem-solving education platform merging STEM(Science, Tech, Engineering, Mathematics) and with design thinking, Samsung Electronics’ Chief Design Officer Mauro Porcini delivered a powerful message to the next generation of innovators.

He spoke on the importance of empathy, technology, and sustainable business in shaping a better future for all. From the intersection of human-centered thinking with STEM to power innovation, Mr. Porcini shared insights that underscore his core belief: true innovation begins with care.

Design Thinking: The Bridge Between People, Technology, and Business

At the heart of Mr. Porcini’s message is his belief in design thinking as a critical driver of meaningful innovation. In his view, design thinking serves as a bridge connecting what people desire, what technology enables, and what business can sustain.

“Design thinking is all about understanding people deeply,” he explained. “It’s about creating solutions that respond to their dreams, needs, and desires, not just leveraging technology for its own sake.”

Mr. Porcini emphasized that innovation rooted only in science or technology, without considering the human element, “risks losing its true value and impact”

Design thinking, he argues, ensures that innovation is desirable, feasible, and viable. This holistic approach, which considers emotional, functional, and commercial impact, helps shape products and services that are not only cutting-edge but also genuinely valuable to human society.

Innovation as an Act of Love

Mr. Porcini describes human-centered innovation as “an act of love.” It may sound poetic at first, but he says it’s also a strategic imperative. Drawing a direct link between ethical leadership and business success, he argues that understanding people’s needs, wants, and desires is not only ethically right, but the key to sustained competitive advantage.

"Real value for people is the biggest competitive advantage you can build,” Mr. Porcini asserted. “We don't innovate because we can. We innovate because we care."

And that care requires more than just technical brilliance. It requires presence and being immersed in real human experiences. “I encourage you, students and innovators of tomorrow, to spend a lot of time in front of those technologies,” Mr. Porcini said, “but also spend a lot of time in society with people, mingling with them, understanding them, caring for them, and combining the two dimensions to create meaningful innovation.”

This distinction underpins his philosophy that successful innovation must begin with a deep understanding of people rather than focusing solely on the capabilities of technology. It is a call to future leaders in every discipline, including design, research and development, human resources, and finance. These leaders have a responsibility to serve as stewards of positive change, using their roles to shape not only products but also the broader society.

AI as a Tool, Guided by the Human Touch

Mr. Porcini addressed one of the most pressing questions of our time: what is the role of the human innovator in the age of artificial intelligence?

He is clear-eyed about AI’s value. He describes AI as a superpower, but not a replacement for human creativity.

“AI gives us precision, speed, and scale,” he explains. “But you still need humans. Our intuition, empathy, and even our mistakes. Many of the world’s most powerful innovations started with a surprising error.”

Mr. Porcini believes this human element, our ability to feel, connect, and imagine, is still essential and irreplaceable to innovation. AI might amplify innovation, but it is people who give it meaning and purpose. Every invention must be guided by human intention.

A Mission to Inspire the Next Generation

Above all, every time he speaks to students or young professionals, he delivers a message grounded in purpose, empathy, and vision.

“My purpose in life is to make sure that young people understand that love, empathy, care for people, for society, for the planet are the most important things of all."

His words resonate deeply with a generation ready to rethink the way the world works. Whether in design labs, corporate boardrooms, or classrooms, Mr. Porcini believes that meaningful innovation begins with a desire to serve. It starts with the willingness to connect, to listen, and to care.

A Future Built on Empathy

Through initiatives like Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung continues to support and contribute to building a future where technology is shaped by human values and business success is aligned with social impact.

The next generation of innovators is at the center of this future. As Mr. Porcini reminded them, “You are the innovators of tomorrow. And with that comes an incredible opportunity, and therefore an incredible responsibility, to create a better world for all of us to live in.”

Samsung believes in this vision and stands behind it. As Mr. Porcini affirmed, “At Samsung, we want to support you in this incredible journey.”