Samsung is considering incorporating generative artificial intelligence technology into its voice assistant Bixby, according to a senior executive within the company. This move aims to make Samsung devices more appealing to users and to keep up with the advancements in AI technology.
Bixby was launched in 2017 with the Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone, offering various functions such as live translations and restaurant recommendations. However, traditional voice assistants like Bixby have been limited in their conversational abilities, mainly responding to user queries with pre-programmed answers. The emergence of advanced chatbots, like OpenAI's ChatGPT, has shown the potential for more dynamic interactions through generative AI.
Samsung sees Bixby as a crucial tool for users to control their devices across smartphones, smartwatches, and appliances. While Bixby has been integral to Samsung's ecosystem, it lacks the advanced capabilities of generative AI seen in ChatGPT and similar technologies. In response, Samsung is exploring how to enhance Bixby with generative AI to enable more natural conversations and a smarter interface.
In addition to Bixby, Samsung has introduced new AI features with its Galaxy AI and the latest S24 smartphones. These features include innovative functions like searching for a selected item on Google without switching apps. By focusing on AI integration, Samsung aims to differentiate its devices and provide a seamless user experience across its product lineup.
Won-joon Choi, executive vice president at Samsung's mobile business, emphasized the need to redefine Bixby's role with generative AI and large language models. This shift would allow Bixby to engage in more natural conversations and better support Samsung products within its ecosystem. While no specific timeline was provided for these updates, Samsung is committed to delivering advanced AI features to enhance Bixby's capabilities.
Samsung's emphasis on AI technology comes at a time when competitors like Apple are also investing in generative AI. Apple's upcoming developers conference, WWDC, is expected to showcase new AI features across its product range. This competitive landscape underscores the importance of innovation in AI to meet evolving consumer expectations and drive technological advancements.
As Samsung explores the integration of generative AI into Bixby, the future of the voice assistant appears promising. By leveraging advanced technologies and enhancing conversational capabilities, Samsung aims to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The evolution of Bixby with generative AI could redefine user interactions with Samsung devices and establish Bixby as a sophisticated voice assistant in the market.