Can AI Services on Smartphones be Monetized? Insights from Samsung’s TM Roh

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on smartphones, the question on everyone’s mind is: can AI services on these devices be monetized? To answer this, we turn to T.M. Roh, President and Head of Mobile Experience Business at Samsung Electronics, who shared his thoughts on the company’s plans for AI services at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris.

Democratizing AI

Samsung has been leveraging AI to improve the performance of its native apps, including camera and game performance. Roh explained that the company has been able to expand the availability of Galaxy AI on devices launched after 2022, including the Galaxy S22 and foldable products. However, he clarified that AI on A-series devices is not currently possible due to hardware limitations. Instead, Samsung is taking a case-by-case approach to implement AI features on A-series devices, with a focus on cloud-based features.

Galaxy AI Features

The recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a prime example of the power of AI on smartphones. This device comes packed with AI features that enhance and improve the user experience. For instance, the Note Assist feature in Samsung Notes uses AI to translate, summarize, and auto-format notes, while the PDF overlay translation feature allows users to translate PDFs. The Composer feature in Samsung Keyboard generates suggested text for emails and social media posts, and the S Pen features Smart Select and Sketch to Image provide users with shortcuts and image options.

Challenges in AI Development

When asked about the challenges faced during the development and deployment of AI on devices, Roh highlighted two main issues: hybrid AI and concerns around privacy. To address these concerns, Samsung opted for on-device AI, which ensures that information remains on the device and is not sent to the cloud. This approach also enables real-time translation and interpreter functionality, even without an internet connection.

Monetization of AI Services

So, can companies like Samsung monetize AI services in the future? Roh remained tight-lipped, stating that it’s too premature to discuss monetization strategies. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of customer needs, market demands, and technological trends before making any decisions.

In conclusion, Samsung’s TM Roh has provided valuable insights into the company’s plans for AI services on smartphones. While there are challenges to be addressed, the potential for AI to revolutionize the way we use our devices is vast. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how companies like Samsung choose to monetize their AI services in the future.

Historical Context:

The concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on smartphones has been around for several years, with early examples including virtual assistants like Siri (launched in 2011) and Google Assistant (launched in 2016). However, the widespread adoption of AI on smartphones has accelerated in recent years, driven by advancements in machine learning and the increasing availability of high-performance computing power. Samsung, in particular, has been a pioneer in integrating AI into its devices, starting with the launch of its Galaxy S8 series in 2017.

The article highlights Samsung’s efforts to democratize AI, making it more accessible to a wider range of devices, including the Galaxy S22 and foldable products. This is a significant development, as AI has traditionally been associated with high-end devices. The company’s focus on cloud-based features and on-device AI processing is also noteworthy, as it addresses concerns around privacy and data security.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Samsung is leveraging AI to improve the performance of its native apps, including camera and game performance. • Galaxy AI is available on devices launched after 2022, including the Galaxy S22 and foldable products, but not on A-series devices due to hardware limitations. • The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features AI-powered tools like Note Assist, PDF overlay translation, Composer, and S Pen features. • Samsung is addressing challenges in AI development, including hybrid AI and privacy concerns, by using on-device AI processing. • The company is not yet discussing monetization strategies for AI services, citing the need for a comprehensive review of customer needs, market demands, and technological trends. • The potential for AI to revolutionize the way we use our devices is vast, and it will be interesting to see how companies like Samsung choose to monetize their AI services in the future.