Samsung Electronics is taking a major step closer to bringing the dream home to life with its AI Home, an ecosystem that seamlessly connects devices and intelligently adapts to users’ needs.

At the center of this ecosystem is SmartThings, Samsung’s IoT platform and the core engine connecting devices within the AI Home.[1] The service integrates with more than 4,500 models from over 380 partners,[2] building a vast AI Home ecosystem. The number of home appliances connected to SmartThings has reached 33 million — up about 30% compared to the beginning of this year.[3]

Combining unmatched connectivity with ambient intelligence that understands and anticipates user needs, Samsung aims to create an AI-powered home that minimizes everyday chores and maximizes life’s possibilities through intelligent, connected appliances.

For the second interview in this four-part “Why Samsung” series, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Hyesoon Yang, Executive Vice President and Head of Multi-Device Experience (MDE) Strategy Team, Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics, about how SmartThings is transforming daily living through AI Home innovation.

▲ Hyesoon Yang, Executive Vice President and Head of MDE Strategy Team, DA Business at Samsung Electronics

The Next Generation of Connectivity

Q1. Why has Samsung been building the foundation for a connected AI Home?

Home appliances were invented to reduce household chores and have continued to evolve for more than a century. Technology has eliminated much of that labor, but one challenge remains — creating seamless connections across the household journey, from washing to drying, food management to cooking and cleaning to air purification.

The first step toward solving this issue is achieving smooth device connectivity — and that’s exactly what SmartThings delivers. By enabling appliances and devices to communicate and operate in sync, SmartThings ultimately aims to free users from housework and help them enjoy a more effortless, fulfilling life.

Q2. What sets Samsung apart in enabling a connected AI Home?

Samsung home appliances connected through SmartThings go beyond their traditional functions, not only improving convenience by integrating devices but also advancing energy management and efficiency. As an open platform, SmartThings seamlessly connects with devices from global partners — allowing it to perform complex cross-device functions and gain a deeper understanding of the home through a network of sensors. Such high-level connectivity, along with the advanced interoperability of Samsung appliances, is what makes a truly intelligent AI Home possible.

SmartThings has grown rapidly, from 100 million global users in 2019 to more than 410 million as of July 2025 — a more than fourfold increase in six years. In Korea alone, the number of users has surpassed 23 million.[4] Building on this foundation, Samsung’s AI Home delivers tangible benefits by simplifying daily routines (Ease), supporting loved ones (Care), helping users optimize their time and energy (Save) and protecting the home (Secure). Backed by unmatched connectivity and openness, this differentiated AI Home experience reflects Samsung’s distinctive advantage and fulfills the fundamental purpose of home appliances.

Less Chores, More Time

Q3. What are some benefits consumers can enjoy through Samsung’s connected platform and AI Home ecosystem?

When a washing cycle finishes while users are watching TV, a notification appears in the upper-right corner of the screen — letting them check laundry progress. While cooking in the kitchen, users can turn on the air conditioner in their child’s room directly from the SmartThings-connected refrigerator display. With 3D Map View, users can monitor and control all connected devices through a three-dimensional layout of their home. The Away Mode feature in SmartThings automatically turns off lights and the TV when users leave — and even starts the robot vacuum to clean on its own.

▲ Users can manage their home appliances on the refrigerator screen with 3D Map View.

Quick Remote is another convenient feature that lets users control their appliances directly from their smartphones.[5] When a SmartThings-connected appliance is nearby, a pop-up automatically appears on the smartphone — allowing users to operate the device instantly without searching for a remote.

SmartThings also helps users save energy effortlessly. When AI Energy Mode is activated, it analyzes usage patterns to reduce energy consumption by up to 10% for refrigerators,[6] 70% for washing machines[7] and 30% for air conditioners.[8] Samsung is expanding this energy-efficient ecosystem globally through partnerships with companies like British Gas in the United Kingdom and CoolBlue in the Netherlands.

Q4. Beyond appliance control, how does SmartThings enhance family and pet care?

Housework is more than cleaning — it’s also about caring for one’s family and home. SmartThings-connected appliances now extend that care, helping users look after themselves, their families, their pets and their living spaces.

Family Care[9] supports loved ones who live apart. If abnormal activity patterns are detected or a connected appliance has not been used for a certain period, SmartThings sends an alert prompting users to check in. Through the SmartThings app, users can also set medication schedules — sending smartphone reminders, dispensing the right amount and temperature of water from a connected purifier and even enabling home monitoring through a linked robot vacuum when no one is at home to check in.

Pet Care helps keep pets safe and comfortable while owners are away. On hot days, users can remotely turn on a SmartThings-connected air conditioner or check in on their pets through a home camera. If barking is detected, users can play soothing music through the robot vacuum or stream calming videos on the TV.

Connected through SmartThings, home appliances have redefined their role — evolving from simple household tools into intelligent companions that make daily life more convenient while caring for users and their families.

Ambient Intelligence – The Future of AI Home

Q5. What direction is Samsung taking with SmartThings and AI Home?

▲ Exterior view of Samsung’s Smart Modular Home

At IFA 2025, Samsung introduced the Smart Modular Home — a solution that allows users to experience the benefits of an AI Home from the moment they move in, demonstrating that the AI Home is no longer a vision of the future but a reality.

Additionally, Samsung is advancing ambient intelligence technologies that intuitively understand user context without being intrusive. By learning from and analyzing data across connected devices, the company aims to create a fully automated AI Home that understands users’ behaviors, preferences and routines. The overarching goal of SmartThings and AI Home is to become a true companion in every home — automatically adapting to each person’s lifestyle, freeing them from household chores and providing peace of mind.

None of this is possible without robust security. In the part three of the “Why Samsung” interview series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the company’s strengths and future direction in security.

For more information, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartthings/

[1] To use SmartThings features, the SmartThings app must be installed and connected to a wireless network. Feature availability, supported environments and specifications may vary by product. The SmartThings app can be downloaded from the Galaxy Store, Play Store or App Store (Android OS 9.0 or later with at least 3GB RAM or iOS 15.0 or later).

[2] Based on WWST (Works with SmartThings) partner data as of July 2025

[3] Based on global cumulative data as of November 2025

[4] Based on the cumulative number of registered users linked to Samsung accounts as of November 2025

[5] To use Quick Remote, the SmartThings app (version 1.8.13 or later) must be installed and connected to a wireless network with Bluetooth enabled. The feature is available only on Samsung Galaxy mobile devices running Android OS and supported on products released in 2024 or later. For air conditioners, the feature works within a 10-meter radius. Performance may vary if obstacles block the signal. The activation range and response time may differ depending on user environment.

[6] Comparing factory settings temperature without AI Energy mode and with AI Energy, which optimizes the compressor speed and defrost cycle based on usage pattern and conditions. Results may vary depending on the usage pattern and conditions. Available on compatible models from June 2023 through a Wi-Fi update through the SmartThings app on Android and iOS devices. Wi-Fi connection, Samsung account and SmartThings required.

[7] Can be applied when the selected washing temperature is 20~40°C. Max saving results from washing a 40-degree cycle as a cold wash. Savings based on internal testing on the WW11BB944AGB model in normal usage conditions. Results: Power consumption without AI Energy Mode = 0.539 KWh. Power consumption with AI Energy Mode = 0.145 KWh. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions. Wi-Fi connection, Samsung account and SmartThings required.

[8] The testing was conducted in Samsung’s 132m² residential environment laboratory at a temperature of 35°C / 24°C (dry bulb/wet bulb, KS C 9306: air conditioner). Results provided to and interpreted by Intertek, comparing the power consumption between AI energy mode on and off in AI comfort mode of AF25DX934WARN and AR07D9181HZN model. Actual savings may vary by usage patterns and environment and the set temperature may increase by up to 2 degrees. Wi-Fi connection, Samsung account and SmartThings required.

[9] Applicable to Samsung smartphones, tablets, TVs, refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, cooktops, water purifiers (Korea only), robot vacuums and other SmartThings-compatible devices. SmartThings app installation, device pairing and wireless network connection are required. Currently available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones with Android OS 11.0 or later and at least 3GB RAM. Availability, supported features and specifications may vary by country and are subject to change without notice.

To explore these themes further, Samsung hosted two panels at the Galaxy Tech Forum on July 10 in Brooklyn. Samsung Newsroom joined industry leaders and executives to examine how ambient intelligence and advanced health technologies are shaping the future of mobile innovation.

(Panel One) The Next Vision of AI: Ambient Intelligence

▲ (From left) Moderator Sabrina Ortiz, Jisun Park, Mindy Brooks and Dr. Vinesh Sukumar

The first panel, “The Next Vision of AI: Ambient Intelligence,” explored how multimodal capabilities are enabling the continued evolution of AI in everyday life — blending into user interactions in ways that feel intuitive, proactive and nearly invisible. Panelists discussed the smartphone’s evolving role, the importance of platform integration and the power of cross-industry collaboration to deliver secure, personalized intelligence at scale.

Jisun Park, Corporate Executive Vice President and Head of Language AI Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, opened the conversation by reflecting on Galaxy AI’s rapid adoption. Since the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in January, more than 70% of users have engaged with Galaxy AI features. He then turned the discussion to the next frontier, ambient intelligence — AI that is deeply personal, predictive and ever-present.

▲ Jisun Park from Samsung Electronics

Samsung sees ambient intelligence as AI that is so seamlessly integrated into daily life it becomes second nature. The company is committed to democratizing Galaxy AI to 400 million devices by the end of 2025.

This vision builds on insights from a yearlong collaboration with London-based research firm Symmetry, which revealed that 60% of users want their phones to anticipate needs without prompts — based on daily habits.

“Some see AI as the start of a ‘post-smartphone’ era, but we see it differently,” said Park. “We’re building a future where your devices don’t just respond — they become smarter to anticipate, see and work quietly in the background to make life feel a little more effortless.”

Mindy Brooks, Vice President of Android Consumer Product and Experience at Google, discussed how multimodal AI is moving beyond reactive response to deeper understanding of user intent across inputs like text, vision and voice. Google’s Gemini is designed to be intelligently aware and anticipatory — tuned to individual preferences and routines for assistance that feels natural.

▲ Mindy Brooks from Google

“Through close collaboration with Samsung, Gemini works seamlessly across its devices and connects with first-party apps to provide helpful and personalized responses,” she said.

Dr. Vinesh Sukumar, Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies emphasized that as AI becomes more personalized, there is more information than ever that needs to be protected.

“For us, privacy, performance and personalization go hand in hand — they’re not competing priorities but co-equal standards,” he said.

▲ Dr. Vinesh Sukumar from Qualcomm Technologies

Both Brooks and Dr. Sukumar reinforced the importance of tight integration across platforms and hardware.

“Our work with Samsung prioritizes secure, on-device intelligence so that users know where their data is and who controls it,” said Dr. Sukumar.

▲ The AI panel at Galaxy Tech Forum

Moderator Sabrina Ortiz, senior editor at ZDNET, closed the session with a discussion on AI privacy. Panelists agreed that trust, transparency and user control must underpin the entire AI experience.

“When it comes to building more agentic AI, our priority is to ensure we’re fostering smarter, more personalized and more meaningful assistance across our device ecosystem,” said Brooks.

(Panel Two) The Next Chapter of Health: Scaling Prevention and Connected Care

The second panel, “The Next Chapter of Health: Scaling Prevention and Connected Care,” focused on how technology can bridge the gap between wellness and clinical care — making health insights more connected, proactive and usable for individuals, healthcare providers and digital health solution partners. Panelists explored how the convergence of clinical data, at-home monitoring and AI is reshaping the modern healthcare experience.

▲ (From left) Moderator Dr. Hon Pak, Mike McSherry, Dr. Rasu Shrestha and Jim Pursley

Health data is often siloed across systems, resulting in inefficiencies and gaps in care. Combined with rising rates of chronic illness, an aging population and ongoing clinician shortages, the result is a system under pressure to deliver timely, effective care.

▲ Dr. Hon Pak from Samsung Electronics

“Patients and consumers around the world are asking us to hear them, to know them, to truly understand them,” said moderator Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics. “And I believe this is the opportunity we have with Samsung, Xealth and partners like Hinge and Advocate. Together, we are creating a connected ecosystem where healthcare can truly make a difference — not just in the life of a patient, but in the life of a person.”

Samsung is addressing this challenge through technological innovation and its recent acquisition of Xealth, a leading digital health platform with a network of more than 500 hospitals and 70 digital health solution providers. Through Xealth, Samsung plans to connect wearable data and insights from Samsung Health into clinical workflows — delivering a more unified and seamless healthcare experience.

▲ Mike McSherry from Xealth

“This [phone], plus your devices — the watch, the ring — are going to replace the standalone blood pressure monitor, the pulse oximeter, a variety of different devices,” said Mike McSherry, founder and CEO of Xealth. “It’s going to be one packaged solution, and that’s going to simplify care.”

This collaboration is designed to empower hospitals with real-time insights and help prevent chronic conditions through early detection and continuous monitoring with wearable devices.

▲ Dr. Rasu Shrestha from Advocate Health

“The reality is that with all of the challenges that exist in healthcare, it is not any one entity that can heroically go in and save healthcare. It really takes an ecosystem,” said Dr. Rasu Shrestha, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation & Commercialization Officer at Advocate Health. “That’s part of the reason why I’m so excited about Xealth and Samsung — and partners like us — really coming together to solve for this challenge. Because it is about Samsung enabling it. It’s more of an open ecosystem, a curated ecosystem.”

The panel spotlighted the growing shift from hospital-based care to care at home — and the opportunities enabled by Samsung’s expanding ecosystem of connected devices. Data from wearables, including those equipped with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor technology, can provide high-quality input for AI-driven insights.

Paired with Samsung’s SmartThings connectivity and wide portfolio of smart home devices, the company is uniquely positioned to support remote health monitoring and treatment from home.

AI is expected to play a role in reducing clinician workload by streamlining administrative tasks and surfacing the most relevant insights at the right time. Platforms like Xealth offer users a personalized, friendly interface to access necessary information from one place for a more connected healthcare experience.

▲ The health panel at Galaxy Tech Forum

Across both sessions, one theme was clear — realizing the potential of ambient intelligence and scaling prevention and connected care requires deep, cross-industry collaboration.

From on-device privacy solutions like Knox Matrix to expanded integration across Galaxy devices, Samsung and its partners are building an ecosystem that’s not only intelligent but simple, secure and future-ready.