Samsung’s ‘Inquire AI’ Hints at a Future Where Browsing is Conversational
Samsung is quietly laying the groundwork for a significant shift in how we interact with the internet on our mobile devices. Leaked firmware for the upcoming One UI 9 reveals a novel feature called “Ask AI” for the Samsung Internet browser, signaling a move towards a more conversational browsing experience. This isn’t just about faster searches; it’s about fundamentally changing how we extract information from the web.
Beyond Summaries: The Evolution of Browsing Assist
The Samsung Internet browser already boasts AI-powered features like translation, page summaries, and news highlights through its “Browsing Assist” tool. Currently, Browsing Assist focuses on what a webpage says. The introduction of “Ask AI” expands this functionality to answer your specific questions about the content, and beyond. The updated description of Browsing Assist within the leaked firmware confirms this evolution: “Browsing assist uses AI to answer questions about webpages and other topics, summarize and translate text, and read highlights aloud.”
Ask AI: A Dialogue with the Web
The core of this new feature lies in its ability to handle follow-up questions. Strings found within the firmware suggest a seamless conversational flow: “Ask AI about webpages and other topics while you browse,” “Ask anything,” and crucially, “Ask follow up.” This implies a system designed to understand context and build upon previous queries, much like interacting with a chatbot. This represents a departure from traditional search, which often requires refining keywords for each new question.
Personalization and Privacy: A Balancing Act
Samsung isn’t stopping at simply answering questions. The company intends to leverage browsing history within the Samsung Internet app to provide more personalized results. The leaked code indicates that Samsung will process both page content and your browsing history when you ask questions. Past questions and answers will as well be stored to further refine the AI’s responses.
However, Samsung acknowledges the privacy concerns this raises. The firmware currently includes a “Session only” option for retaining Ask AI activity, with the promise of more granular control in the public release. Users will likely be able to choose how long their activity is stored, impacting the level of personalization they receive. This demonstrates an awareness of the need to balance convenience with user privacy.
The Wider Trend: Conversational AI Everywhere
Samsung’s move aligns with a broader industry trend towards conversational AI. The rise of large language models (LLMs) is making it possible to build AI assistants that can understand and respond to natural language in increasingly sophisticated ways. Google’s Gemini and other similar technologies are already being integrated into various applications, from search engines to productivity tools. Samsung’s “Ask AI” is a clear indication that mobile browsing is next.
This shift has the potential to dramatically alter how we consume information online. Instead of sifting through multiple articles and websites, users could simply ask a question and receive a concise, AI-generated answer. This could be particularly valuable for complex topics or when researching on the go.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The “Ask AI” feature is still months away from a public release, as One UI 9 is expected to launch alongside Samsung’s foldables later in the year. However, it offers a compelling glimpse into the future of mobile browsing. People can anticipate further development of this feature, with potential integrations with other Samsung services and a growing emphasis on personalization and contextual understanding.
FAQ
Q: When will I be able to use “Ask AI”?
A: “Ask AI” is currently in leaked firmware for One UI 9, expected to launch with Samsung’s foldables later in 2026.
Q: Will Samsung track my browsing history?
A: Yes, Samsung intends to use browsing history to personalize results, but will offer options to control how long this activity is retained.
Q: Is this feature only for Samsung devices?
A: Currently, “Ask AI” is specific to the Samsung Internet browser on Samsung Galaxy devices.
Q: Will “Ask AI” replace traditional search?
A: It’s unlikely to completely replace search, but it offers a new way to interact with information and could develop into a preferred method for quick answers and complex queries.
Want to learn more about the latest in mobile AI? Explore Samsung’s Galaxy AI features and stay tuned for updates on One UI 9!
