The next premium Galaxy S series that would follow the disgraced and short-lived Galaxy Note7 will feature artificial intelligence (AI) as the smartphone competition among technology giants reached a new level after Google, a leader in AI, released Pixel phones running on voice-activated personal assistant.

The new flagship model will not only come with improvements across the hardware spec from design to camera and expanded mobile payment and cloud services, but also AI-powered function, the world’s top smartphone maker said in a conference call Thursday following the release of disappointing third-quarter earnings after it reflected losses from fallout of Galaxy Note7 that was released and discontinued over the last three-month period.

Upon hints from the company, the Galaxy S8 series will add borrowed AI software on top of its traditional cutting-edge component strengths such as super-fast memory chip and flexible display panel.

Samsung could incorporate services with the phone and other hardware it makes from tablet PCs to TVs and other home appliances to cut out unique habitat of smart home and lifestyle. An AI-powered phone goes beyond a smart handheld device as it can predict what its user wants and needs to dictate his or her lifestyle.

The company recently purchased Viv Labs, an open AI platform provider founded by the creators of Apple’s voice assistant Siri.

The official also said that “the Galaxy S8 will be equipped with a 10-nanometer Exynos application processor (AP),” that enhances performance of the AP by 27 percent and reduces energy usage by 40 percent.

Shin Jong-kyun, president of the company’s IT and mobile division apologized for the Note 7 fiasco at a shareholders’ meeting on Thursday saying that his company was conducting a thorough probe on the cause of overheating and combustion. “We are investigating every possible aspects ranging from battery, hardware, software to manufacturing process and logistics not only by ourselves but also with other experts from the U.S. Underwriters Laboratories Inc.,” he added. He vowed to continue the probe till it accurately pins downs the cause no matter how long the study takes. “Quality-related problems must not be ignored,” he added.

Samsung Electronics shares rose 1.97 percent to 1,604,000 won as of 14:18 p.m. in Seoul trading on Friday.

By Song Sung-hoon and Lee Dong-in

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