The Samsung Unpacked event made me want to scream four words: Enough of AI already!
On Wednesday, the tech titan unveiled its Galaxy S26 models and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but AI was the real star of the show. Samsung introduced its Browser with an Ask AI tool, an upgrade to the Circle to Search feature that uses AI to identify items to purchase from a picture, AI photo editing and an array of Galaxy AI updates. The list of AI-integrated features doesn't stop there.
If you're pumped about the future of AI, that's fine. For me, though, Samsung's event left me more skeptical than excited about what's to come. It reminded me why I will never give up performing some human-centered tasks, like ordering a pizza or looking for dupes of an expensive pair of shoes. It's because I like doing them.
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Convenience and efficiency come at a social cost
Sure, Galaxy AI is convenient. It can free up time to do more of what I want while allowing other tasks to run in the background. But I actually enjoy many of my day-to-day duties, like wrangling a complex food order with my family or narrowing down a vacation destination.
I get to be social. I get to laugh at jokes. I get to learn more about my loved ones -- which wouldn't be possible if I gave those tasks to a bot.
I don't want my smartphone to fully disconnect me from the little things. I want to stay connected to what matters most, even if it takes a few more minutes.
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I don't need Galaxy AI to handle every move I make
Samsung introduced the Now Nudge feature, which monitors what you're doing on your phone and suggests shortcuts to avoid switching between tasks and apps. For example, if you need to share photos from an event, Galaxy AI can pop them into the message for you.
Truthfully, I like going down memory lane and looking at those pictures. Sending them myself gives me a nostalgic feeling, especially from special events like weddings and weekends with long-distance friends. I also like choosing my best angles, something Galaxy AI may not get right.
And as an editor, I loathe Galaxy AI's ability to select text, summarize, reformat and tweak words. AI hasn't always gotten this task right, and it definitely doesn't own my voice.
Galaxy AI doesn't need to know everything
Samsung says we'll be able to determine what Galaxy AI data is processed, as it relies on its Knox Matrix Trust Chain technology for cross-platform security. But Galaxy AI's power feels too strong to escape, even with the best safety measures in place.
The deep integration of AI into every phone feature feels like a major privacy risk, especially since we're only at the starting line. Between document scanning and those new Galaxy Buds Pro 4 briefings, AI is officially everywhere, and the privacy implications are terrifying.
Since cybercriminals are evolving just as fast as AI is, I'm starting to think a carrier pigeon is a safer bet for my personal tasks.
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