Samsung targets 20,000 young Indians in 2026 AI skilling drive

MUMBAI: Samsung is putting more muscle behind India’s AI talent pipeline. Samsung India has launched the 2026 edition of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), its flagship corporate social responsibility programme focused on technology skilling.

The fourth edition of the programme will train 20,000 young people in artificial intelligence across 10 states, with Samsung working alongside the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC).

The programme will target young people aged 18 to 25, offering hands-on AI training, project-based learning, mentorship and exposure to real-world applications. The aim is to give participants both technical skills and practical experience as AI becomes increasingly embedded in sectors ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to education and consumer services.

Samsung said the latest edition is designed not just to teach AI concepts but also to strengthen problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration. Participants will work on practical AI solutions while developing skills aimed at improving their career readiness.

SIC has been running in India since 2022 and has trained more than 26,500 young people in emerging technologies. Women accounted for 48 per cent of participants in 2025, highlighting the programme’s push to widen access to advanced technology education.

Commenting on the initiative, Samsung South West Asia president and CEO JB Park said India was well positioned to lead the AI transformation because of its young talent pool.

“Realising that opportunity will require sustained investment in developing the right skills, encouraging innovation and making AI education more accessible to every aspiring learner,” Park said.

He added that Samsung was using SIC to help young Indians build the knowledge, confidence and practical experience needed to contribute to the country’s innovation journey.

The 2026 launch also comes as Samsung marks 30 years in India. The company said the latest edition reflects its longer-term focus on developing technology talent and supporting India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for AI and innovation.

SIC is part of Samsung’s wider skilling and innovation push in India. The company’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow programme focuses on young innovators and entrepreneurs, while Samsung DOST aims to develop industry-ready talent for sales and technical service roles.

With 20,000 more learners set to enter the programme this year, Samsung is betting that India’s next AI advantage will come not only from computing power and technology, but from the people trained to put them to work.