Samsung Electronics convened leaders from across industries at its first Tech Forum panel during CES 2026, held at The Wynn Las Vegas, to discuss the growing importance of smart home interoperability.
The session, titled “When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI,” explored how cross-industry partnerships are transforming connected homes into intelligent environments that are seamless, safe, and genuinely supportive of everyday life. Panelists agreed that the next era of home intelligence must be built on open collaboration rather than closed, proprietary ecosystems.
As households increasingly rely on devices and services from multiple brands and industries, openness was highlighted as the foundation that allows AI systems to work together and create real-world impact. Samsung shared its view that open connectivity enables appliances, energy systems, safety services, and industry partners to deliver experiences that are not possible in siloed environments.
“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 and Head of Strategic Alliances at Samsung Electronics. “That requires interoperability across brands, so the home works as one system instead of disconnected features. Through cooperation with HCA and across industries, we’re turning openness into outcomes such as safer homes, simpler routines, and measurable savings built on consent and transparency.”
Samsung also highlighted the scale of its connected home ecosystem, noting that more than 500 million users are already part of the SmartThings community. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in connected living, the company said this foundation enables AI experiences that coordinate across appliances and services, delivering value that feels natural rather than technical.
“It’s crucial to deliver tangible user benefits that genuinely make people’s lives better,” said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon. He added that one of the most impactful areas for connectivity is the kitchen, where integrated data from refrigerators, water systems, and heating networks can enable more holistic understanding and even preventative action.
The panel also examined how open ecosystems can translate collaboration into measurable consumer benefits. Samsung pointed to its partnership with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as an example of how smart home data, when used responsibly and transparently, can deliver meaningful value.
“We’re at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which helps build trust in smart home equipment and leads to direct consumer benefits,” said Jed Usich, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Solutions at HSB. “Through our partnership with Samsung, we’ve created a bridge to the insurance industry that turns simple data points into tangible savings for consumers.”
Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized that successful home AI must feel human rather than intrusive, fitting naturally into daily routines such as cooking, relaxing, entertaining, and caring for family members. Design, storytelling, and behavioral understanding were cited as essential elements in making connected devices feel like calm and reliable companions.
The panel concluded that the future of home AI depends on interoperability, responsible data use, and collaboration across industries, ensuring intelligent homes deliver real value without compromising trust. As AI becomes more ambient and system-wide, Samsung said it remains focused on building open ecosystems that make connected living simpler, safer, and more meaningful.
