Olufemi Adeyemi 

Samsung has announced a new upgrade option, leaving millions of Galaxy users with a big decision to make.

Samsung recently announced a substantial update to its Galaxy series in response to the growing competition from Apple's latest iPhones. The emphasis is on artificial intelligence, with Samsung pledging to "pioneer the new era by developing AI that is readily accessible and applicable in daily life."

However, the company has also recognized a widening gap in security and privacy between Galaxy devices and iPhones, which will shape future developments. The decision now lies with millions of Galaxy users regarding their subsequent actions.

In a statement from Samsung's Korean newsroom, Kim Dae-hyun highlighted the introduction of "generative AI that aligns with user requirements, operational technology that enhances personalized experiences and usability, and security measures that protect personal data." A significant update is the planned implementation of knowledge graph technology to improve the personalization of the AI experience.

While knowledge graphs are not a novel concept, having been introduced over a decade ago by Google for its knowledge base, the emergence of generative AI has revitalized the term. The core function remains similar: to aid in "organizing data from diverse sources, capturing information about pertinent entities in specific domains (such as individuals, locations, or events), and establishing connections between them."

This capability allows knowledge graphs to "provide context and depth to other data-driven AI methods like machine learning, serving as a link between humans and systems by generating human-readable explanations."

Kim envisions a future where each morning commences with an AI assistant that delivers a comprehensive briefing of the day's agenda and engages in natural, human-like conversations. He maintains that this seamless integration of AI into our daily lives is not a distant aspiration but an impending reality. 

This strategy underscores the significance of customizing AI to cater to the distinct requirements and preferences of individual users. The organization endeavors to further develop knowledge graph technology, a fundamental component of personalized AI, and seamlessly integrate it with generative AI to augment user-specific services.

While this represents a novel development, the company remains committed to hybrid AI—a system that combines on-device AI with cloud AI to achieve an optimal balance of speed and security. On-device AI offers rapid response times and robust privacy protections, while cloud AI leverages extensive data and high-performance computing to deliver a wide range of functionalities. This dual approach ensures that users receive the best possible AI experience across various contexts.

The integration of on-device and cloud AI can be implemented either independently or concurrently, contingent upon the technical requirements of specific functions. This approach addresses the paramount concerns of security and privacy. The organization underscores that all AI services, inclusive of those tailored to individual users, must prioritize safety. While personalized AI augments user convenience by leveraging personal data, it is imperative to mitigate any potential risks associated with data breaches.

In essence, the more personalized and sensitive the data involved, the greater the probability that processing will transpire on-device, ensuring an equilibrium between lower-level processing requisites and higher-level security measures.

Apple's strategy has deviated from expectations, as many anticipated a similar restrictive stance on on-device AI. Instead, Apple has chosen a markedly different path. The introduction of Private Cloud Compute (PCC) is touted as providing "groundbreaking privacy and security protections." Essentially, this solution utilizes end-to-end Apple silicon from the device to the cloud, ensuring that "personal user data sent to PCC remains inaccessible to anyone except the user — not even Apple." The company characterizes PCC as "the most advanced security architecture ever implemented for cloud AI computing at scale."

This development presents a distinct choice: a rapidly evolving AI landscape facilitated by a flexible, hybrid architecture, or a more private and secure cloud extension of an individual’s device, prioritizing data security and privacy. However, this focus on security may impede progress due to its inherent complexity, particularly regarding the large-scale deployment of third-party AI processing.

Apple has incentivized hackers with rewards of up to $1 million to breach its new architecture. While this amount may seem insignificant in the grand scheme, it has successfully captured media attention as intended. To date, we have not witnessed significant attacks targeting AI solutions from Google, Samsung, or Apple, but such incidents are likely on the horizon. The implications of these attacks could further delineate the differences between Samsung and Apple, alongside the more cloud-focused Pixel offerings. Additionally, the ongoing debate regarding security between Android and iPhone continues to surface in discussions about device security measures.

In light of the current market dynamics, it is imperative for Samsung to reassess its strategic approach in response to the evolving landscape. I recommended that Samsung consider a strategy in response to Apple’s PCC to create a more competitive offering. Samsung must acknowledge the dual challenges posed by Google and Apple in the realm of next-generation AI devices. The delays associated with Android 15 further compound these challenges. Ultimately, the user communities will make their choices, and for current Galaxy users, the options available in 2025 are becoming increasingly compelling. This presents a critical juncture for decision-making.