On 24 June 2026, Samsung announced that it would allow its employees to use ChatGPT Enterprise and OpenAI's Codex tool, reversing earlier restrictions. A few years ago, Samsung had tightly limited internal AI use after concerns about sensitive code and data leaking into external models. This shift marks a notable change in how large companies approach AI at work.
The new policy is built around the enterprise tier of OpenAI's products, which is designed for organizations. Enterprise plans typically promise that customer data is not used to train public models and offer stronger administrative controls. For Samsung, those assurances were enough to reopen the door, though with guardrails in place.
Why does this matter? Samsung is one of the world's largest technology and manufacturing companies. When a company of that size gives employees access to AI coding and assistant tools, it sends a signal to the rest of the market that enterprise AI is now considered safe enough for serious use, when properly managed.
The move also reflects competitive pressure. Rivals have been giving their engineers AI tools to speed up software development, and Samsung did not want to fall behind in productivity. Codex, which helps write and review code, can significantly accelerate routine engineering work when used carefully.
At the same time, the decision is not a free-for-all. Samsung is expected to keep controls on which data can be entered, monitor usage, and train employees on safe practices. The lesson for other companies is clear. The question is no longer whether employees will use AI tools, but how to enable them safely. Samsung's reversal shows that the practical benefits are now winning over the earlier caution.