“Let AI handle what I don’t necessarily want to think about.”

This is what I recently told someone about how I want AI or Artificial Intelligence to be part of my life. Right now, there’s been more implementation of AI in desk work and creative fields – and it has been helpful somewhat.

However, my personal take is that AI should handle the tasks I don’t necessarily look forward to doing. For someone like myself who is domestically challenged, that means house chores. And what I saw during a Samsung Home Appliances showcase in Bangkok was encouraging. 

The concept of a smart home isn’t exactly new. But the refinements with the help of AI offer quality of life things on washers, refrigerators, and more that can really come in handy. 

AI Wash+ 

Laundry is one of the last few things I ever want to spend brain cells on. Perhaps that’s the case with other people too and Samsung caught on to that.

I already make a ton of micro decisions all day because of the nature of my work. Not to mention there are also these existential choices to make like “what am I having for lunch,” or “do I really need to shower for this video call?” So no, I don’t want to guess how much detergent to use or whether my jacket needs a delicate cycle or a full spin to the shadow realm.

Thankfully, Samsung’s Bespoke AI Washers exist. These machines with the AI Wash+ cycle have the emotional intelligence I clearly lack when it comes to laundry. 

You load it up, press a button, and boom: the washer figures out how dirty your clothes are, what fabric types you’re mixing, and how to adjust detergent, water temp, spin speed, and wash time accordingly.

It even knows the difference between outdoor gear and denim — and handles both gently.

The top load version adds features like AI VRT+, which reduces noise and vibration by reading your floor. Meanwhile, AI Energy Mode tries to be more eco-conscious than I’ve ever been.

Best part? You control it all from a 7-inch touchscreen called AI Home, so you can pretend you’re managing a spaceship instead of dirty socks. So yeah, it’s nice to have a washer that overthinks so I don’t have to. 

Smart Fridge 

I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m not a “home chef.” I don’t meal prep. I don’t plan ahead. And most of the time, the fridge is just a glorified lightbox I open while deciding between snacks or ordering again.

And fridges like the Bespoke AI Refrigerator Side-by-Side had me wishing I had both the money to purchase it and the space in my home to host it. I have neither, but let me tell you why I now covet one. 

Right on the front is a 9-inch AI Home screen, which shows your calendar, the weather, and other helpful little reminders — all without asking you to deep dive into a sea of apps. It’s like having a polite assistant who just lives in your kitchen and doesn’t judge your life choices.

There’s SmartThings Cooking, too. It can recommend meals and send cooking instructions straight to a smart oven. Would I use that? Not really. But it’s nice knowing the fridge tried.

What I do like is the upgraded Bixby with Voice ID. It recognizes who’s talking, and adjusts accordingly — like showing my schedule, or helping me find my phone. That’s personal AI, not just shared confusion.

And because I am, at the very least, pretending to be responsible, the fridge also tracks energy use with SmartThings Energy. It even reduces power consumption with AI Energy Mode. Less waste, lower bills, no extra thinking required.

Plus there’s a nifty feature too that lets you just glide over a sensor and the fridge opens by itself. Perfect for when I bring over too many ready-to-heat packages that my arms are totally pre-occupied.

AC and vacuum cleaning 

The showcase also touched on air conditioning (AC) and vacuum cleaning things that, to be completely honest, flew over my head. 

One thing about the AC stood out to me though. I cannot count how many times I have come from an event and just want to cool down at home but always forget to turn on my AC before I arrive. 

Samsung’s solution is an AI connected to your phone relaying your approximate location via GPS. Once it detects that you’re nearing your lovely home, the AC will turn on to start the cooling so you arrive ready to enjoy a chilled abode. How neat is that?

On the cleaning side of things, the one thing that stuck with me are the thoughtful additions to their robot vacuum. Existing designs tend to miss certain spots and corners. But now, they’ve added cleaning apparatus that extends beyond the usual to make sure every spot the vacuum goes to is squeaky clean. 

They also improved mobility by making sure the robot vacuum is able to detect and climb minor inclines. Nothing revolutionary, but still very much eye-opening and extremely thoughtful and helpful. 

Bixby is at the heart of Samsung Home Appliances

Ever since the Samsung Galaxy suite of devices embraced Google’s Gemini for many of its AI features, it felt like Samsung’s own assistant, Bixby, had been pushed to the side. That wasn’t the case during the Samsung Home Appliances showcases in Bangkok. 

Bixby, and the SmartThings app, is front and center as Samsung showed off how its bevy of new AI-infused Home Appliances. These include washers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and air conditioners. 

I asked the people at Samsung if this was a conscious decision on their part and this is what they had to say: 

Samsung aims to deliver an optimized AI experience by leveraging various AI agents effectively. We focus on what is most meaningful for people, which is why we work openly with like-minded industry-leading partners. This enables us to curate and cultivate AI-driven experiences in a way no other smartphone brand can. For example, many of the innovative Gemini features included in Galaxy S25 were developed in collaboration with Google from the early stages, ensuring an optimized user experience.

Bixby, Samsung’s voice-based AI agent specialized in device control, will play a pivotal role in advancing AI by enabling more intuitive and effortless control of Galaxy devices, as well as seamless connectivity and management of Samsung products like TVs and home appliances. Additionally, Bixby supports creating SmartThings modes and routines using natural language, making it easier and more intuitive to connect and manage devices.

Samsung’s position as the leading Android brand globally makes Galaxy the most accessible platform for experiencing the benefits of AI enhancements. Our unique ability to integrate AI into our products, experiences and components, from mobile devices to TVs, home appliances and even automotive systems gives us unparalleled reach. Moving forward, Bixby will continue to play a key role in delivering seamless connectivity and advancing Home AI, while Galaxy AI will serve as the connective tissue across a variety of Samsung Galaxy and SmartThings devices for a truly seamless user experience.

That totally reeked of corporate speak but it’s also true. We’re all still figuring out what role AI will play in our lives. I’ve personally somewhat decided where I’d want it in full swing. And Samsung seems to be finding their way around it nicely too, especially when it comes to Smart Home Appliances.