Samsung has doubled down on open ecosystems as the foundation for the next generation of home artificial intelligence (AI), arguing that interoperability, not closed platforms, will determine whether smart homes deliver real value to users.
The tech giant made the case during the opening session of its CES 2026 Tech Forums, held at The Wynn in Las Vegas, where Samsung convened industry leaders, partners and experts for a panel discussion titled “When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI.”
The conversation centred on how collaboration across industries is transforming connected homes from collections of smart devices into intelligent, seamless environments that feel secure, intuitive and genuinely helpful.
Panelists agreed that as modern homes increasingly rely on devices from multiple brands — spanning appliances, energy systems, security services and digital platforms — the future of home AI must be built on openness rather than proprietary silos.
Samsung stressed that open connectivity allows AI systems to work together, unlocking experiences that would be impossible in closed ecosystems.
“Home is the most personal place in our lives, so home AI must earn trust quietly, respectfully, and with value users can feel,” said Yoonho Choi, President and Chair of the Board of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA) and Head of Strategic Alliances at Samsung Electronics.
“That requires interoperability across brands, so the home works as one system instead of disconnected features.”
According to Choi, collaboration through bodies such as the HCA is already translating openness into tangible outcomes, including safer homes, simpler daily routines and measurable cost savings, all built on transparency and user consent.
Samsung also highlighted the scale of its connected home footprint, revealing that over 500 million users globally are now part of the SmartThings ecosystem.
With more than a decade of experience in connected living, the company says it has gained critical insight into how home AI is evolving, from device-level automation today to system-wide intelligence that anticipates needs and coordinates services across the home.
This scale, Samsung argues, allows it to design AI experiences that feel natural and supportive rather than overly technical.
“It’s crucial to deliver tangible user benefits that make people’s lives better,” said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon.
“There’s no area that will bring more benefit than a broadly connected kitchen, one that understands what’s in your refrigerator while connecting to water and heating networks for a more holistic, preventative approach.”
The panel also explored how open ecosystems can deliver measurable benefits through cross-industry collaboration.
Samsung pointed to its partnership with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as a first-of-its-kind example of how responsibly used smart home data can translate into real-world value. Through the collaboration, data from connected home devices can be used, with transparency and consent, to reduce risk and unlock savings for homeowners through the insurance industry.
“We’re at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which begins to develop trust,” said Jed Usich, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Solutions at HSB.
“Through our partnership with Samsung, we’ve created a bridge to insurance that turns simple data points into tangible consumer savings.”
Beyond technology, the discussion emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence in home AI. Panelists noted that for AI to be truly adopted, it must blend naturally into everyday activities, from cooking and relaxing to entertaining and caring for families, without feeling intrusive.
Design, storytelling and behavioural understanding were highlighted as critical elements in ensuring connected devices feel like calm, reliable companions rather than constant interruptions.
As AI becomes more ambient and system-wide, Samsung says it remains focused on building open, interoperable ecosystems that prioritise trust, responsibility and meaningful impact.
The message from CES 2026 was clear: when everything clicks, home AI has the potential to move beyond convenience and genuinely improve everyday life.
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