--- title: "Software Update Turns Samsung’s “AI Fridges” Into Useless Bricks" description: "Many unfortunate owners of a Samsung \"Bespoke AI\" fridge were in for a rude surprise after an update turned them into a brick." date: "2026-09-23" modified: "2026-09-23" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor.md" url: "https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/software-update-samsung-ai-fridges-useless-bricks" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" - "Ethics" --- # Software Update Turns Samsung’s “AI Fridges” Into Useless Bricks ![A color-treated photo of the interior of a Samsung fridge.]() *Samsung / Futurism* It's become common knowledge among home owners to avoid Samsung home appliances like the plague. They're notorious for frequently breaking down, and fixing them can turn into an expensive ordeal — if it's even an option at all. And after an [entirely unnecessary and infuriating injection of AI](), many unfortunate owners of a Samsung "Bespoke AI 4-Door" fridge were in for a rude surprise. Customers across South Korea found that their almost $4,000 appliance suddenly shut down after a faulty firmware update, turning them into an expensive — and fresh food ruining — brick. As [*Star News Korea* reports](), an internal panel screen displayed an error message for hours. Even unplugging the fridge and plugging it back in didn't solve the issue as the cool air continued to escape. Worst of all, the malfunction occurred just before the Chuseok holiday break, a mid-autumn harvest festival that celebrates the full Moon and lasts for three days. Some owners said they had to throw out special delicacies set aside for the festivities. Adding insult to injury, angry customers were told the earliest servicing date was October 1, long after the holiday. The infuriating incident perfectly highlights how even the most mundane aspects of our lives are being turned into a buggy over-the-air software update-infested nightmare against our will. Samsung [claims]() its allegedly "Smart" fridges know what's inside of them, can recommend recipes, and even play music thanks to "AI" — features that we'd bet that almost no customers have ever touched. After all, electric refrigerators have been around for over a century, a significant and largely uncomplicated luxury of modern living that hasn't changed much over the decades. It's not just fridges being ruined by trendy tech. We've come across massively [overengineered AI toothbrushes](), [AI toasters](), and [creepy facial recognition-infused AI doorbells]() as well. Fortunately, consumers still have plenty of choices to make when it comes to appliances. But as more companies bet on AI and insist on making our lives miserable by integrating it into every aspect of our lives, more reliable alternatives may soon become harder to come by. **More on AI appliances:** [*Crazed CEOs Adding AI to Home Appliances*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()