Survey findings show that almost 9 in 10 youths in Southeast Asia are already using AI daily, with a majority accessing AI tools and services through their mobile devices
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the findings of its 2024 survey on AI, revealing that Southeast Asian (SEA) youth are not just witnessing the AI revolution, but are actively shaping it. The survey showed that close to 9 in 10 youths are already using AI in their day-to-day routines, and the primary platform that they use to access AI services is through their mobile devices. This highlights the role and potential of mobile devices in empowering SEA youth today and tomorrow.
The survey, conducted among 884 youths[1] aged 13 to 24 in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, highlights the profound impact of AI on their lives, ambitions, and aspirations for social change.
CU Kim, President and CEO of Southeast Asia and Oceania for Samsung Electronics, said, “We have always been passionate about enabling the next generation in our region to reach their fullest potential through our innovative technology and our global Corporate Citizenship programs. This is why we sought to understand the hopes and aspirations of youth in our region. Our survey findings show that Southeast Asian youth are high adopters of AI and believe in its potential to shape their future careers or for driving social good. This reinforces the need to continue to empower the next generation with meaningful AI innovations, and Samsung is committed to helping youths in unlock new possibilities, amplify their creativity, and drive positive change in their communities.”
High Adoption of AI among SEA Youths Today
Based on survey findings, AI is no longer a future concept for the SEA youths surveyed – it is a present reality empowering them to thrive in all aspects of their lives. A staggering 9 out of 10 youths already incorporate AI tools and services into their daily routines, using them for learning, creativity, staying informed, and driving positive changes in their communities. Specifically, the top three daily uses of AI are for learning (78%), creativity (56%), and staying informed (38%).
Mobile devices[2] are central in driving AI usage among this demographic, as it is the preferred way (60%) SEA youths use to access AI tools and services. This trend is expected to continue, as more youths expect mobile devices to be their main mode of access to AI in the future. Samsung is at the forefront of this mobile-first era, bringing AI tools and services to all with Galaxy AI, which enhances communication, fosters creativity, and boosts productivity. The new Samsung Galaxy S25 series is an example of how Samsung continuously sets new standards of what AI smartphones can do, by understanding users’ needs and preference to provide personalized AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn.
SEA Youths See AI as Catalyst for Shaping Their Future Careers
Youth surveyed are optimistic about the future of work in the age of AI, proactively preparing for new opportunities by developing essential AI skills. While 65% believe AI will create new job opportunities, 81% are also aware that some jobs will inevitably disappear. This awareness has fueled a strong desire for AI skills development, with 70% of youths surveyed expressing a keen interest in upskilling and learning more about AI. More than half of the respondents also feel that AI may change their job fields substantially in the future, reflecting the keen awareness by SEA youths on how AI will shape their future career paths.
Through the expansion of intelligent AI features on even more Galaxy devices such as the new Galaxy S25 series as well as the Galaxy A56 5G, A36 5G and A26 5G, Samsung is committed to empowering even more users by making AI more accessible across various models. Interactive features such as Google’s Circle to Search[3] and Math Solver[4] in Samsung Notes help create immersive learning environments that bring meaningful educational experiences to life.
Collaborative Action for Responsible AI Among Youths
When asked about what influences their use and perspectives of AI, social media (77%) was ranked as the top encouraging force by SEA youths, followed by technology companies and services (73%), then friends and siblings (57%). As such, building a responsible AI future for youth today requires collaborative action among various groups, as well as creating a safe environment for youths to learn and grow.
Samsung’s approach to AI prioritizes security and privacy, as exemplified by features like Personal Data Engine[5] on the new Galaxy S25 series. This ensures context-aware, personalized AI experiences with robust protection for user data across the Samsung connected device ecosystem. Across Galaxy devices, innovations such as Knox Vault keep personalized data private and secure while laying the groundwork for youths to boost their productivity and creativity using mobile AI, with complete peace of mind.
Continued investment in AI education and infrastructure is crucial in ensuring equitable access to the benefits of the AI revolution. Samsung is dedicated to this through its global Corporate Citizenship programs such as the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow global contest, which empowers youth to leverage technology for social good.
Eco Pulse, an AI-powered image recognition technology developed by a group of 15-year-old students from Johor, was the first Malaysian winner of 2024 Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition. This innovative technology aims to simplify the recycling process by helping users identify recyclable items, using big data and AI algorithms to estimate the value of items based on their weight. The winning team, Team Terrainnnovators, has cultivated a strong interest in using AI technology to elevate their community and environment.
By fostering AI literacy and supplying the right innovative tools through these initiatives, more youths will be equipped to thrive in the future world of AI and new technologies.
For more information, visit https://news.samsung.com/my/
