If there's one thing I took away from Wednesday's Samsung Unpacked event, it's that AI is getting more access to and control over our personal information. I'd say too much.
As Samsung unveiled new devices, including Galaxy S26 models and Galaxy Buds 4, nearly every feature feels powered by AI. Samsung CEO TM Roh even teased the Galaxy S26 line as an "agentic AI phone."
If you want AI integrated into everything you do, from checking your calendar to ordering a pizza, the Galaxy S26 lineup is your vibe. Samsung flaunts Galaxy AI as the tool to handle everyday tasks, letting you stay in the moment instead of going through several steps to do it yourself.
Here's why I'm not buying it, no matter how convenient it is.
Read more: How to Disable Galaxy AI Features on Your Samsung Smartphone
Convenience and efficiency come at a social cost
Sure, Galaxy AI can free up time to do more of what I want while still getting other tasks done in the background. But I actually like 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 laugh at jokes and learn more about my loved ones -- which wouldn't be possible if I gave those tasks to a bot.
I don't have a smartphone to depend on a bot assistant that disconnects me from the little things. I still want to stay connected to what matters most, even if it takes time.
Watch this: Samsung Unpacked 2026: The Future of AI Has Arrived (Highlights)
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.
