Steve Sammartino is Australia’s leading Futurist. He’s also an International keynote speaker, with a deep understanding of disruptive technology and the wider economy. 

Steve joined me on TNTRadio.live – you can watch or listen live, and of course the show will be available in “on demand” format from my show page (where all my previous shows are located in video and audio formats).

Here’s the full episode:

The author of two best-selling strategy books, The Great Fragmentation and The Lessons School Forgot, Steve regularly appears on national TV, radio and print, and is consistently rated as the best speaker of every conference he attends. 

Among many other achievements, Steve is also the author of Samsung’s latest report, Australians@Home in 2029, which you can read about here, which is embedded below, and which you can download directly from Samsung here.

It’s part of an in-depth study on consumer research on trends for the future identifying five areas where change is likely to transform Australian homes: Ambient AI; Rolling Lounge Rooms; Soft Robotics; Energy Management; and Transparent TVs.

Here is my radio interview with Steve about the report – the media release on the report is directly below this radio interview:

Here’s the full information from Samsung:

Almost half of Australians open to how AI will transform their homes over the next five years

Samsung’s Australians@Home in 2029 report, created with leading futurist Steve Sammartino, shines light on emerging technologies

Samsung Electronics Australia has released its Australians@Home in 2029 future trends report. In collaboration with Australia’s leading futurist, Steve Sammartino, and drawing on consumer research, the report predict changes in the way Australians will live, work, and socialise at home in the future, and the pivotal role technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities will play.

The report identifies five areas where change is likely to transform Australian homes including: Ambient AI; Rolling Lounge Rooms; Soft Robotics; Energy Management; and Transparent TVs. This is driven by the rapidly accelerating rate of technology and uptake of AI that is set to transform how Australians will interact with their homes says Steve Sammartino, Australia’s leading futurist.

“We are entering an age where future fantasy will become daily living realities. This in home revolution driven by AI, will astound everyone as to how more human centric technology is becoming with benefits that go beyond convenience and enter important territories like energy, travel, and entertainment in a seamless symbiotic system design for and by end users,” said Sammartino.

Jeremy Senior, Vice President, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia said, “At Samsung, we’ve been committed to understanding Australians’ habits since our inaugural Australians@Home report, making us uniquely positioned to share insights on how technology will transform and enrich consumers’ daily lives.”

“Given Samsung’s decade-long investment into AI, we firmly believe that integrating it into mainstream technology yields substantial benefits. The Australians@Home report aims to share a glimpse at achieving the future, through our technology now. We know Australians are time-poor and savvy – always looking for cost and energy efficiencies. The report demonstrates that what once seemed a future of robots and AI-powered connected devices, is no longer a distant dream but a current reality. This revolution is poised to reshape our everyday, making Australian homes more intuitively functional, as we forge towards a better, more connected future,”

Trend 1: Ambient AI forming the ecosystem of the home

As electricity became a necessity a century ago, AI is set to follow suit within Australian homes, advancing consumer technology to new heights with ecosystems shaped by their preferences and becoming trusted advisors for enhanced efficiency.

The research unveils one in five (21%) believe the home will have an AI-powered connected device system capable of controlling the whole home without leaving the couch by 2029 In fact, 29% of Australians expect to use their TV to control everyday tasks like opening the garage door, turning on lightbulbs or starting the washing machine*.

The nation is already making strides in this direction with almost two-thirds (63%) intending to purchase smart devices like pet cameras, lighting, speakers, and fridges in 2024 — Gen Z and Millennials lead the way (72%) compared to their Gen X (65%) and Baby Boomers (51%) counterparts*.

Trend 2: Rolling Lounge Rooms that transport you anywhere

AI and connectivity are expected to reshape driving experiences as vehicles become smarter and manufacturers transition to all-electric fleets with comfort levels that are upgraded to mirror our living rooms. In fact, vehicle infotainment capabilities will work in tandem with those of the home, learning from interactions in both settings to respond proactively. As AI integration continues to integrate itself into our daily lives, the research reveals that 44% of Australians are interested in implementing AI into the living room and beyond by 2029.

Trend 3: Soft Robotics emergence of physical AI with a human touch

To integrate the home more than ever before, mobile AI bots will likely become a companion to accompany people, offering screens, daily information and connecting users to smart devices smoothly, so Australians can access everything they need while working, entertaining or exercising.

Over the next five years, one-fifth (19%) of the nation see AI robots playing an integral role in the performance of tasks and simplifying everyday routines, while 16% of Australians who live alone and 13% of empty nesters believe AI will become a new source of assistance.

Trend 4: Energy Management where your home is a mini-power plant

Australians are living amid an energy revolution, making the way energy is stored, generated, and used different through every source of technology. Homes will likely all become connected to smart devices or platforms, as AI teaches them to function in the most efficient usage patterns.

This is top of mind for Australians currently purchasing new products for their home, with three in five (61%) prioritising energy efficient appliances and technology.

Trend Five: Transparent TVs take off: Invisible Devices to revolutionise visual interactive experiences

As seen on display at CES 2024, emerging transparent TVs are set to revolutionise how screens are used across both business and home environments.

Samsung’s growing range of TVs, projectors, and audio solutions delivers a big screen experience with the integration of personalised options through smart home connectivity, gaming capabilities and premium design.