The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) has reshaped the technological landscape, raising questions about whether software companies alone will dominate the next wave of innovation. JB Park, CEO and President of Samsung Southwest Asia, argues that despite the AI surge, hardware remains indispensable in delivering effective and immersive experiences.
In a recent discussion on technology trends, Park emphasised that AI cannot function in isolation; it requires powerful hardware and screens to reach users efficiently. “AI needs screens,” he said, highlighting that devices like smartphones, PCs, and other smart electronics serve as the essential interface for AI applications. Without these platforms, even the most advanced AI models would fail to impact daily users meaningfully.
Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem has already embraced multiple AI partnerships to enhance its devices. The company has integrated tools powered by Google Gemini and Perplexity AI, allowing users to interact with advanced AI models directly on their phones and laptops. These integrations illustrate the importance of collaboration between AI software developers and hardware manufacturers. Park described this relationship as inherently symbiotic, where hardware enables AI capabilities while AI enhances the functionality of devices.
The CEO noted that as AI evolves, user expectations for device performance and interactivity will also rise. Devices will need to handle sophisticated AI tasks locally or in the cloud, requiring improvements in processing power, memory, and display technologies. In addition to performance, Park stressed that user experience design, including high-resolution screens and responsive interfaces, remains a key factor in AI adoption. Consumers want AI that feels intuitive and seamlessly integrated into their daily workflows, which makes hardware innovation crucial.
While AI software may dominate headlines, Park emphasized that companies that ignore hardware risk losing influence in the market. Samsung’s strategy focuses on creating devices that can fully harness AI’s potential while providing users with reliable and high-quality interfaces. This approach aligns with the broader industry trend of combining cutting-edge software with optimized hardware to deliver differentiated user experiences.
Industry analysts agree that the AI-hardware synergy will define the next phase of consumer electronics. AI-powered applications, from real-time translation and content generation to virtual assistants and intelligent search, rely on the performance and design of the devices they run on. Companies like Samsung, which invest in both hardware and AI partnerships, are likely to maintain a competitive edge.
Park concluded by reiterating that AI is not a replacement for hardware but a complement. Devices equipped with advanced AI capabilities will continue to require innovation in screens, sensors, processors, and other hardware components to offer a truly transformative user experience. His perspective reinforces the view that the future of technology depends on the seamless integration of software intelligence and device excellence.
