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Samsung begins its CES 2026 Tech Forums by convening leaders in smart home interoperability for an industry-defining discussion
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today convened leaders across industries in to discuss the importance of smart home interoperability in the first of its Tech Forum panels at CES 2026 at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the session, titled "When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI," experts discussed how cross-industry partnerships are transforming connected homes into intelligent environments that feel seamless, safe and genuinely supportive of people's lives.
Openness as the Foundation of Home AI
The panelists agreed that the next era of home intelligence must be built on open collaboration, not closed ecosystems. As homes increasingly rely on devices and services from many brands and industries, openness enables AI systems to work together in ways that create real-world impact. Samsung shared its belief that open connectivity allows appliances, energy systems, safety services and partners across industries to deliver experiences that would be impossible 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 & 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: safer homes, simpler routines and measurable savings — built on consent and transparency."
Powering the World's Largest Connected Home Ecosystem
Samsung highlighted the scale and depth of its connected ecosystem, noting that more than 500 million users are already part of the SmartThings community. With over a decade of leadership in connected living, Samsung brings deep insight into how AI companionship in the home is evolving, from today's smart devices to tomorrow's system-wide intelligence.
This foundation allows Samsung to design 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 make people's lives better," said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon. "Along these lines, there's no area that will bring more benefit than a broadly connected kitchen — one that that allows users to understand what's in their refrigerator while connecting to the water and heating networks, allowing for a more holistic understanding that takes preventative action."
Turning Collaboration Into Measurable Consumer Benefits
The panel also examined how open ecosystems enable measurable benefits for consumers through cross-industry partnerships. Samsung highlighted its collaboration with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as a first-of-its-kind example of how smart home data — used responsibly and transparently — can deliver meaningful outcomes.
"We're at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which begins to develop trust in smart home equipment that results in direct benefits to consumers," 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 takes simple datapoints and turns them into tangible savings for consumers."
Designing AI That Feels Human, Not Intrusive
Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized that for home AI to succeed, it must feel emotionally intelligent and fit naturally into routines including cooking, relaxing, entertaining and caring for families. Design, storytelling and behavioral understanding all play a role in making connected devices feel like calm, reliable companions.
Together, the panelists agreed 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 remains focused on building open ecosystems that make connected living simpler, safer and more meaningful, proving that when everything clicks, home AI can truly improve everyday life.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
Samsung begins its CES 2026 Tech Forums by convening leaders in smart home interoperability for an industry-defining discussion
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today convened leaders across industries in to discuss the importance of smart home interoperability in the first of its Tech Forum panels at CES 2026 at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the session, titled "When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI," experts discussed how cross-industry partnerships are transforming connected homes into intelligent environments that feel seamless, safe and genuinely supportive of people's lives.
Openness as the Foundation of Home AI
The panelists agreed that the next era of home intelligence must be built on open collaboration, not closed ecosystems. As homes increasingly rely on devices and services from many brands and industries, openness enables AI systems to work together in ways that create real-world impact. Samsung shared its belief that open connectivity allows appliances, energy systems, safety services and partners across industries to deliver experiences that would be impossible 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 & 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: safer homes, simpler routines and measurable savings — built on consent and transparency."
Powering the World's Largest Connected Home Ecosystem
Samsung highlighted the scale and depth of its connected ecosystem, noting that more than 500 million users are already part of the SmartThings community. With over a decade of leadership in connected living, Samsung brings deep insight into how AI companionship in the home is evolving, from today's smart devices to tomorrow's system-wide intelligence.
This foundation allows Samsung to design 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 make people's lives better," said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon. "Along these lines, there's no area that will bring more benefit than a broadly connected kitchen — one that that allows users to understand what's in their refrigerator while connecting to the water and heating networks, allowing for a more holistic understanding that takes preventative action."
Turning Collaboration Into Measurable Consumer Benefits
The panel also examined how open ecosystems enable measurable benefits for consumers through cross-industry partnerships. Samsung highlighted its collaboration with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as a first-of-its-kind example of how smart home data — used responsibly and transparently — can deliver meaningful outcomes.
"We're at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which begins to develop trust in smart home equipment that results in direct benefits to consumers," 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 takes simple datapoints and turns them into tangible savings for consumers."
Designing AI That Feels Human, Not Intrusive
Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized that for home AI to succeed, it must feel emotionally intelligent and fit naturally into routines including cooking, relaxing, entertaining and caring for families. Design, storytelling and behavioral understanding all play a role in making connected devices feel like calm, reliable companions.
Together, the panelists agreed 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 remains focused on building open ecosystems that make connected living simpler, safer and more meaningful, proving that when everything clicks, home AI can truly improve everyday life.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Samsung Highlights How Open Ecosystems Unlock the Real Promise of Home AI at CES 2026
Samsung Highlights How Open Ecosystems Unlock the Real Promise of Home AI at CES 2026
SEOUL, South Korea, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Upbit, a world-class digital asset exchange operated by Dunamu Inc., today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia Crypto Exchange (ICEx), a licensed digital asset bourse in Indonesia. The MOU establishes a strategic framework for technical and operational collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of Indonesia's regulated crypto ecosystem and supporting the growth of a sustainable, well-governed market.
The partnership was marked by a high-level summit held at Upbit's Seoul headquarters, where CEO Kyoungsuk Oh hosted a senior Indonesian delegation comprising high-ranking government officials, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, and key industry players to discuss the evolution of regulated digital finance.
The inclusion of the Chamber of Commerce underscores the mission to integrate it into the broader Indonesian commercial landscape. During the meetings, Upbit's leadership and Kadin representatives discussed future-forward plans to bridge Korean technological prowess with Indonesian market potential, ensuring that the digital asset roadmap aligns with the country's national economic interests and private sector growth.
Building a Regulated Global Standard
Under this strategic framework, Upbit will support the growth of Indonesia's digital asset ecosystem by providing core platform technology and operational expertise to build and operate a resilient, compliant trading venue, including key exchange infrastructure such as matching, risk management, and market operations.
The partnership will also explore innovation in areas such as custody solutions while strengthening regulatory technology to enhance oversight, compliance, and reporting.
ICEx and Upbit have aligned as strategic partners to leverage Upbit's proven track record as South Korea's leading exchange and its global reputation for maintaining the highest standards in investor protection and regulatory compliance.
Expanding Upbit's Regional Footprint
Upbit is positioning itself as a critical infrastructure partner across Asia, supporting the development of secure, transparent, and trusted digital asset market frameworks.
This collaboration marks another milestone in Upbit's expanding role as a key driver of digital asset development across the region. The company has previously hosted high-level delegations from Vietnam—including senior government and financial leaders such as the Minister of National Defense, Minister of Finance, Chairperson of the State Securities Commission, and the Chairman of Military Bank—to showcase its advanced digital asset exchange infrastructure.
"This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering well-regulated digital asset ecosystems globally," said Kyoungsuk Oh, CEO of Dunamu, operator of Upbit. "By working closely with ICEx, we aim to share the platform technology and operational expertise that have established Upbit as a market leader in Asia and strengthen the foundational infrastructure of Indonesia's digital asset sector."
A New Era for Indonesian Digital Finance
ICEx operates as an important part of Indonesia's regulated digital asset ecosystem under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Established in line with Indonesia's three-layer regulatory framework for digital asset transactions, comprising a licensed bourse, central clearinghouse, and supporting an integrated market structure within the country's regulated framework. Upbit Indonesia is among its founding shareholders, alongside strategic investors including some of Indonesia's largest conglomerates and global exchanges.
"Partnering with Upbit brings invaluable global expertise to our local ecosystem," said Pang Xue Kai, CEO of ICEx Group. "Upbit's leadership in compliance and technology was a decisive factor for us. We believe this collaboration will contribute to the development of a more secure and trusted market environment in Indonesia."
Through this partnership, Upbit aims to support ICEx in laying the groundwork for a next-generation digital asset ecosystem in Indonesia while contributing to the broader evolution of regulated crypto markets across the region.
The parties formally announced the MOU at the Korea–Indonesia Business Partnership for Resilient Growth Forum on April 1st, 2026, a landmark bilateral event, attended by ministers and high-ranking officials from both countries. The forum featured the signing of MOUs by major companies from both countries across a range of sectors. The MOU between Upbit and ICEx underscored the strategic and institutional significance of the bilateral collaboration in digital finance innovation.
About Upbit
Upbit is a leading digital asset exchange headquartered in South Korea and operated by Dunamu Inc., a fintech company focused on building innovative financial services powered by blockchain technology. Since its launch in 2017, Upbit has become one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally by trading volume, offering a wide range of digital assets and trading pairs.
Upbit provides a secure and user-friendly platform for trading, investing, and managing digital assets. The company prioritizes transparency, compliance, and investor protection, adopting industry-leading security practices.
Through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, Upbit aims to drive the adoption of blockchain technology and contribute to a more accessible and efficient financial ecosystem.
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Upbit and ICEx Sign Strategic MOU to Fortify Indonesia's Digital Asset Infrastructure
