Samsung Electronics Co Ltd convened industry leaders at CES 2026 in Las Vegas to explore how open ecosystems are shaping the future of smart homes.
The panel, titled “When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI,” focused on how cross-industry collaboration can transform connected homes into seamless, intelligent environments.
Samsung emphasised that open interoperability rather than closed ecosystems is critical as homes increasingly rely on devices and services from multiple brands.
Yoonho Choi, President & Chair of the Board of the Home Connectivity Alliance and Head of Strategic Alliances at Samsung Electronics, said, “Home is the most personal place in our lives, so home AI must earn trust — quietly, respectfully, and with value users can feel. That requires interoperability across brands, so the home works as one system instead of disconnected features.”
Highlighting the scale of its ecosystem, Samsung noted that more than 500 million users are part of the SmartThings community.
Michael Wolf, founder of The Spoon, said that a connected kitchen ecosystem can provide tangible benefits, such as understanding appliance usage, linking energy systems, and taking preventative actions to simplify daily routines.
Panelists also discussed measurable consumer benefits from cross-industry partnerships, including Samsung’s collaboration with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), which leverages smart home data responsibly to deliver savings and practical outcomes for consumers.
“Through our partnership with Samsung, we’ve created a bridge to the insurance industry that turns simple datapoints into tangible savings,” said Jed Usich, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Solutions at HSB.
The discussion concluded that successful home AI must feel intuitive, human-centred, and non-intrusive, integrating naturally into daily routines while maintaining trust and data responsibility. Samsung reaffirmed its commitment to building open, collaborative ecosystems that make connected living safer, simpler, and more meaningful.
