This year’s International Day of Education (Friday 24 January) spotlights the theme AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation.

The day emphasises the transformative power of education in fostering social impact through personalised digital learning, says Desiree Hugo: Academic Head at ADvTECH Schools, Africa’s leading private education provider.

As artificial intelligence reshapes educational landscapes, retaining the best practices of the past, combined with personalised digital learning, becomes essential in addressing diverse student needs, she says.

“Given this context, it is imperative that educational institutions invest in educators’ professional development, to equip teachers with the skills necessary to integrate AI tools effectively, to enhance individualised learning experiences. Personalised learning not only tailors educational content to suit each student’s pace and style, but also encourages critical thinking and creativity.”

This approach empowers teachers and students to navigate technological advancements while retaining their autonomy and agency.

Hugo says in line with international best practice, the ADvTECH Group continues to invest in the delivery of superior technology and enhanced teaching and learning, thereby providing the roadmap for the development of future-focused education on the African continent.

“We encourage all educational institutions, as we celebrate 2025’s International Day of Education, to also seek to elevate teaching practices, create and integrate systems to improve learning outcomes, and create and optimise academic support systems.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to harnessing education as a force for social good, ensuring equitable access to quality learning opportunities that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.”

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, setting a new standard as a true AI companion with our most natural and context-aware mobile experiences ever created. Introducing multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to change the way users interact with their phone – and with their world. A first-of-its-kind customised Snapdragon^® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy chipset delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.

“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices more naturally and effortlessly while trusting that their privacy is secured,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S25 series opens the door to an AI-integrated OS that fundamentally shifts how we use technology and how we live our lives.”

Our Most Intuitive and Effortless Mobile Interactions Yet

With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series is a true AI companion that understands the context of your needs and preferences and provides personalised AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn. It’s the starting point of a shared vision with Google to imagine Android with AI at the core, bringing together developers and partners from around the world.

AI agents with multimodal capabilities enable Galaxy S25 to interpret text, speech, images and videos for interactions that feel natural. Upgrades to Google’s Circle to Search make searching your phone screen more helpful, fast and contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognises phone numbers, email and URLs on your screen, letting you call, email or visit a website with a single tap.

With Galaxy S25 series, you can also perform actionable searches with context-aware suggestions for next steps. Plus, Galaxy S25 makes it frictionless to switch between apps for quick follow-up actions, like sharing a GIF or saving event details.

[Asset: Gif showing AI Select – a user receives a text with an image invitation to a party. Tap AI Select for an action notification to add to Calendar]

Galaxy S25 also represents a breakthrough in natural language understanding, making everyday interactions easier. Simply ask and intuitively find a specific photo in Samsung Gallery or adjust the size of display fonts in Settings.

Just press and hold the side button to activate Gemini and perform seamless interaction across Samsung and Google apps,     plus third-party apps such as Spotify. For example, find your favourite sports team’s season schedule and add it to Samsung   Calendar – with a single command.

These intuitive interactions are elevated by expansions to Galaxy AI’s popular tools for communication, productivity and

creativity. Galaxy S25 keeps calls organised with Call Transcript and summary. Writing Assist features such as summarising

content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between

applications. Drawing Assist unlocks fresh ways to bring ideas to life through combinations of sketches, text or image

prompts.

Hyper-personalised Experiences with Privacy Secured

In the era of AI, personalisation goes hand-in-hand with privacy. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalised AI features by safely analysing your data on-device to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enable tailored experiences such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural language, or being guided through the day with Now Brief^[7], which proactively offers suggestions accessible via Now Bar^[8] on the lock screen. All personalised data is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Combined with enhanced on-device processing capabilities, this creates a powerful, protected AI experience that is unique to Galaxy.

Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, safeguarding personal data against emerging threats that could increase as quantum computing evolves.

Because there is no privacy without holistic security, One UI 7 laid the groundwork for these innovations by introducing an extra, fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Additional updates include added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status across a connected device ecosystem.

Galaxy’s Most Powerful Performance Ever

The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon^® 8 Elite for Galaxy. With unique customisations by Galaxy, this is the most powerful processor ever on Galaxy S series, delivering a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU and 30% in GPU compared to previous generation. This power fuels the Galaxy S25 series’ ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit.

Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies worked together to customise the Snapdragon^® 8 Elite for Galaxy.  The Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve a 40% improvement in display image scaling quality, while incorporating custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded within the processor using Galaxy IP to enable greater display power efficiency.

Snapdragon^® 8 Elite for Galaxy is also equipped with Vulkan Engine and improved Ray Tracing, which makes for smoother and more realistic mobile gaming.

All intense device usage and AI processing run smoothly thanks to changed heat dissipation structure with 40% larger vapor chamber and a tailored thermal interface material (TIM) that delivers extra improvement in thermal efficiency.

Unleashing Truly Pro Creation

The Galaxy S25 series delivers ultra-detailed shots at every range with high resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine, setting a new standard for mobile photography. With a new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor upgraded from the previous 12MP, Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional clarity and vibrancy.

10-bit HDR recording is now applied by default, offering four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit. Galaxy S25 can thus capture details in any lighting conditions. Plus, low-light videos have never been clearer than with Galaxy S25^[13]. Based on powerful processor, Galaxy S25 analyses movement and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allows

detecting both moving and static objects with greater precision, ensuring sharper, cleaner footage in any scenario.

Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools once limited to specialised software, making advanced editing accessible for all.

Now anyone can be a pro at editing photos and videos. Audio Eraser^[14] simplifies the removal of unwanted noise in videos. By

isolating categories of sounds – including voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise – you can control what to tone down or eliminate entirely.

For a DSLR-like experience on mobile, Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW. Galaxy S25 also elevates cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, enabling precise colour grading options for more professional video production.

Portrait Studio^[16] has also been enhanced, allowing users to create personalised avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. Filters introduces new analog-style filters, delivering film-like aesthetic for their photos and videos.

Durable Design Embracing a More Circular Approach

The Galaxy S25 series builds upon Galaxy’s ‘Essential Design’ grounded in ‘Simple, Impactful and Emotive’ elements. Galaxy S25 Ultra refines this essence into the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet, with a rounded edge for a comfortable grip that complements the series’ aesthetic identity.

Galaxy S25 Ultra features durable titanium and the new Corning^® Gorilla^® Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a proprietary anti-reflective surface treatment, helping to ensure advanced drop protection alongside anti-reflection surface treatment and scratch resistance.

Every external component of Galaxy S25+ and S25 now includes at least one recycled material, as their metal frame incorporates recycled armor aluminum for the first time.

In addition, while every Galaxy S25 series device uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for its battery, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to feature batteries made with recycled cobalt sourced from previous Galaxy devices or the batteries discarded during the manufacturing process. Samsung goes through multiple stages with its like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to re-using the recycled cobalt for the batteries of Galaxy S25.

Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates^[21], the Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimised performance over a longer lifespan.

For greater peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage for accidental damage, repairs, and replacements, ensuring peace of mind for Galaxy users. Plus, Samsung is introducing the New Galaxy Club. For users who love having the latest technology, this flexible subscription model is designed to make owning and upgrading Galaxy devices more convenient than ever. Regional details and availability will be announced at a later date.

The Galaxy S25 series will be available for pre-order from 23 January to 13 February 2025. Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.

For more information about the Galaxy S25 series, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, SamsungMobilePress.com or Samsung.com.

SPECIFICATION TABLE

*Specifications may vary by market.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

The role of technology in health and wellness is changing dramatically. Smart devices are now being seen as more than machines that are driving our addiction to distraction, but as a way to transform how we work, how we feel, live, and thrive. Smart devices, apps, and tools are more than just time-fillers; they’ve become essential in enhancing mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. A recent report by PsicoSmart highlighted that, far from detracting from our mental health, technology can actually strengthen it. 77% of employees surveyed believe that technology boosts their job satisfaction and productivity. When used thoughtfully, tech is an ally in the journey toward wellness.

This trend is particularly evident in the realm of employee wellness programs, where technology is reshaping the landscape. Jaco Oosthuizen, Co-founder and MD of YuLife South Africa, highlights: “Our research with IPSOS found that 51% of employees are more likely to stay with companies that offer robust benefits supporting their overall health and wellbeing. Technology can help better manage, scale, and increase engagement in these initiatives.”

YuLife, an Insurtech provider, is making waves in the employee wellness space through its innovative group risk offering and wellness app, which has reportedly led to a 181% higher return on investment for many of its clients, thanks to reduced absenteeism and enhanced productivity.

Leading from the Top: Setting the Tone for Wellbeing

With countless wellness tools and apps available, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. It’s easy for employees to feel adrift in the sea of options. This is where leadership plays a pivotal role. When leaders commit to carefully selecting and endorsing specific wellness tools, they send a strong signal that they are invested in their teams’ wellbeing. Employees can then engage confidently, knowing that the company actively supports their financial, emotional, and physical health. Ultimately, the sense of a support system often matters more than the individual tools. Employees want to feel their wellbeing matters and is backed by their company, creating peace of mind and promoting engagement.

Technology’s key contributions to wellbeing

There are several ways technology can be harnessed to support holistic employee wellness, including:

1. Digital wellness hubs: Platforms like YuLife’s award-winning app encompasses holistic wellbeing, offering everything from guided meditations and fitness routines to a virtual GP, EAP and financial planning advice. With resources accessible in one place, employees have a quick, convenient way to manage their wellbeing, which fosters a culture of care and prevention.
2. On-Demand mental health support: The rise of AI-driven apps and telehealth services has revolutionised access to mental health resources. Employees can now access confidential support at their fingertips, helping them manage stress, anxiety, or other issues before they escalate. Instant, private access to mental health tools builds a more resilient, content workforce, creating a lasting positive impact on both employees and organisations.
3. Gamification for engagement: One of the biggest challenges in traditional employee assistance programmes is low engagement—fewer than 2% of employees interact with these services regularly. YuLife’s wellness app tackles this with gamification and behavioural economics, incentivising daily interactions with wellness activities. This approach not only makes wellness programs more engaging but also keeps employees coming back, helping them maintain their wellbeing actively.
4. Personalised support: Modern technology allows for a highly personalised approach to wellness. Data-driven insights mean companies can tailor their initiatives to meet individual needs, whether it is through financial coaching or customised wellness plans like virtual yoga sessions. Personalised support helps build a stronger connection between the employee and their workplace, fostering a sense of care and belonging.

Tailored solutions for diverse needs:

Unlike standard one-size-fits-all wellbeing tools, today’s wellbeing solutions can adapt to each person’s unique circumstances, needs, and goals. For instance, a marathon runner’s fitness goals differ greatly from those of an employee returning from maternity leave. Similarly, an employee dealing with grief will need a different kind of support than someone managing stress. By equipping HR professionals and managers with customisable tools, companies can provide meaningful, relevant support to every individual, ensuring that wellness initiatives resonate across diverse teams.

Interconnected strategies: building stronger teams.

Technology doesn’t just benefit individuals; it can also unify teams. Digital tools enable departments to develop group wellness strategies that work in harmony with personal goals. Data generated from these tools allows for holistic strategies that support each individual while building a shared sense of purpose and collaboration. These interconnected strategies give teams a structure that not only respects privacy but also amplifies each person’s contribution to a healthier workplace.

Technology, when integrated thoughtfully, can elevate employee wellbeing from a personal effort to a company-wide culture of care. By blending personalised tools, supportive leadership, and a clear commitment to mental, physical, and emotional health, organisations create a workplace where employees not only feel valued but can also perform at their best. The future of work is not only about productivity but also about wellbeing.