100 Years of IFA: Samsung’s AI Holds the Key to the Future

IFA International Fair, Europe’s largest electronics and home appliances exhibition held annually in Berlin, marked its centennial anniversary during this year’s event, which took place from September 5 to September 10 under the theme “Innovation For All.”

Uniting leading international companies to present cutting-edge advancements, IFA has evolved, over the past century, into a global hub of innovation and technology. Among these innovators, Samsung Electronics illuminated the future with its latest products, powered by AI, reinforcing its leadership in home appliances and electronics. The Company has transitioned from massive machines to advanced devices that have become integral to our daily lives.

Samsung has positioned itself at the forefront of future innovation, developing seamless connectivity between mobile devices, televisions, and home appliances through the SmartThings application. The Company has also enhanced its voice assistant, Bixby, which now excels at understanding complex natural language commands.

From Radio Exhibition to AI-Powered Innovation Hub
IFA began as a platform for the German government to showcase emerging radio technology in the 1920s. It became a witness to the early steps in technological progress, highlighted by Albert Einstein’s keynote address in 1930, which bestowed global scientific prominence upon the event.

Over the years, IFA introduced groundbreaking innovations such as the first car radio in 1932 and the first color television in 1937. Despite interruptions during World War II, technological advancement persisted, with home appliances evolving from simple mechanical devices to intelligent tools that meet modern demands through advancements in motors, electronic components, and smart connectivity.

From its side, Samsung’s journey with IFA began in 1991 with a modest 43-square-meter booth showcasing monitors and personal computers. By 2003, the Company expanded its presence to a 3,600-square-meter space. In 2014, Samsung acquired the CityCube Berlin conference center to present its latest technologies on a 6,000-square-meter stage.

Leading the Era of AI with a Connected Smart System
Samsung’s annual presence at IFA continues to grow, showcasing pioneering technologies across home appliances, televisions, and mobile devices. In 2006, the Company launched the Bordeaux television, and in 2011, introduced the first smart TV and Galaxy Note device, revolutionizing the “tablet era” by combining smartphones and tablets into one.

In 2013, Samsung revealed the world’s first curved UHD TV and its first smartwatch, Galaxy Gear, solidifying its position as a market leader in technology. By 2016, the launch of the Family Hub refrigerator with a touchscreen marked a significant shift towards integrating advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into home appliances.

Recognizing the importance of technological connectivity in enhancing consumer lives, Samsung acquired the SmartThings application in 2014, which has since become one of the world’s leading smart operating systems with over 340 partners and 350 million users. In 2018, the Company emphasized AI as a central pillar of the “connected living” experience, heralding a new era in electronics.

At IFA 2023, Samsung unveiled 15 AI-powered devices, marking the dawn of a new era in home appliances. The Samsung Food platform was introduced, offering a smart food and recipe system that connects home appliances, televisions, and mobile devices to provide personalized cooking experiences tailored to every household and individual.

Samsung’s journey with IFA continues to advance, showcasing innovations in voice command technology. What began as basic machines for food storage and laundry a century ago has evolved into intelligent tools that interact with users through voice commands and handle complex household tasks with ease.