Samsung Launches Program to Train Youth in AI

The 2025 edition of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) launches to equip young professionals with skills increasingly demanded by the labor market, particularly AI, programming, and problem solving. The program targets participants aged 18 to 29 and integrates technical and soft skills training to prepare graduates for evolving job requirements.

“With Samsung Innovation Campus, we aim to open pathways and translate knowledge into opportunities for all,” says Lorena de Lima, Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics Mexico, to MBN. She adds that the program adapts curriculum from South Korea to local contexts and emphasizes practical, project-based learning aligned with industry needs.

Since 2021, SIC has trained over 1,000 young people. Originally focused on the Internet of Things, the program shifted to AI after research showed that employers increasingly expect candidates to apply AI, even if job postings do not list it explicitly. Industry analyses confirm this trend: fewer than 1% of design and technology listings in Mexico formally mention AI, despite widespread adoption across organizations.

The program also addresses gender disparities in STEM. Cultural expectations often limit women’s access to technology training, so SIC expanded its eligibility from ages 18–25 to 18–29 to include women who may have gained greater independence. “Women are equally capable as men; often, they simply lack opportunities and encouragement,” de Lima says.

CENEVAL plays a key role in reinforcing the program’s focus on soft skills. “At CENEVAL, we believe that evaluating is recognizing, and recognizing is fostering development,” says Carmen Rodríguez, Director General, CENEVAL, to MBN. “We joined the Samsung Innovation Campus because it combines education and technology to transform lives. By certifying soft skills alongside technical knowledge, we help participants become not only skilled professionals but also conscious, responsible citizens.”

Participants complete 20 hours of soft skills training, after which CENEVAL issues microcredentials based on practical, real-world assessments. “Our evaluations are structured around cases and situations that allow participants to demonstrate their ability to apply learned skills in professional environments,” Rodríguez says. “This includes leadership, teamwork, empathy, and other competencies essential for the workplace.”

Official microcredentials provide verifiable evidence of participants’ abilities. “In a technological sector, where innovation requires both technical mastery and collaborative skills, these certifications strengthen employability and competitiveness, giving graduates an advantage with employers seeking comprehensive profiles,” says Rodríguez.

The CENEVAL certification also contributes to measurable and sustainable progress in closing gender and opportunity gaps in STEM. “By using objective evaluations and microcredentials, we can track skill development for all participants, including women and underrepresented groups,” says Rodríguez. “This data helps identify areas for improvement and guides strategies that ensure inclusion and equity over time.” A diverse technical committee validates the assessments, ensuring that they reflect the rich diversity of Mexico’s academic and social landscape.

Beyond SIC, Rodríguez sees standardized soft skills certification as a driver for national talent development: “In emerging sectors such as AI, where technology evolves rapidly, human capabilities — such as leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration — are the differentiator. By recognizing these skills formally, we prepare young people to innovate and adapt to the challenges of the future, cultivating talent with both technical and human excellence.”

The timing reflects broader global concerns about workforce transformation. A 2025 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland’s NASK found that 25% of jobs worldwide are exposed to Generative AI, with the highest impact in high-income countries and significant exposure for women in clerical and customer service roles. Most roles are expected to evolve rather than disappear, creating urgent demand for upskilling in analytical thinking, resilience, leadership, and technological literacy.

SIC aims to address these needs directly. Alumni report enhanced technical competencies, confidence, and leadership skills, enabling them to navigate AI-driven changes in the labor market.