Samsung Electronics is particularly focusing on development of artificial general intelligence technologies as part of efforts to innovate user experiences for digital customers, said the company’s mobile unit chief at a forum on Tuesday.

Koh Dong-jin, CEO of Samsung’s smartphone business, opened the second day of the Samsung AI Forum with opening remarks that highlighted the importance of user experiences at the company research and development campus in Yangjae-dong, southern Seoul.

“Businesses that keep trying to innovate user experiences will be the winner of global business in the connected era with 5G, AI and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies,” Koh said in his speech at the forum. 

“5G and AI are fundamental to convergence and innovation of smartphones, wearables, speakers, IoT and augmented/virtual reality technologies,” he said. “Samsung will continue leading innovation with outstanding technologies in the AI field in order to offer new user experiences that didn’t exist.”

Koh highlighted that Samsung is working on a range of AI technologies at seven AI centers in five countries.

Among other things, Samsung is focusing on artificial general intelligence technologies that enable AI systems to learn, make judgements and come to decisions by themselves, he said.

When a variety of artificial general intelligence technologies are combined with Samsung devices, the level of user experiences will go beyond the current status, according to Koh.

Around 1,700 renowned scholars, students and industry officials attended the two-day Samsung AI Forum to learn about latest technology trends in AI.

Noah Smith, a professor at University of Washington, and Abhinav Gupta, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, delivered keynote speeches on the last day of the forum.

By Song Su-hyun (song@heraldcorp.com)