Move over electric vehicles and flying robotaxis: AI stole the show at CES 2024. I attended the show’s 100th anniversary surrounded by over 4,000 exhibitors among the more than 130,000 attendees for the world’s largest electronics show. The theme, “AI for All,” wasn’t just a slogan; it felt like a tangible experience, woven into presentations, booths, and even car dashboards. Forget large language models and other abstract algorithms – this year, AI could be seen, felt, heard and even chatted with. Gone are the days of specific AI applications that live on your laptop or phone this year AI was everywhere. But beneath the glitz and gadgetry, crucial converging trends emerged:
- Generative AI: ChatGPT wasn’t just entertaining the internet anymore; it had moved into the physical world, seamlessly integrated into vehicle infotainment systems, the home and workplaces and industries.
- Immersive AI: CES unveiled a future of AI-powered spheres, transparent TV displays, and mind-bending XR experiences for home, work and industrial applications that blurred the lines between reality and virtual worlds.
- Autonomous Embodied AI: Robots roamed the halls, guided by intelligent agents, helped in hospitals and households while the showcase was large scale autonomous industrial and zero emission machines for agriculture, mining and construction.
This year felt busier than ever and it is clearly becoming more of a vision statement reimagining everything from the way we live, work, and move to how we care for our health and power our cities. Here’s a look into the key themes across various sectors, highlighting not just the innovations but also the unexpected elements that caught my eye.
Let the Chips Fall Where they May: Semiconductors, the bedrock of the AI revolution were on full display, with companies showcasing advancements in chip technology while quietly discussing ever present geopolitical winds shifting the power in this burgeoning ecosystem.
The Future of Living:
- ChatGPT Everywhere in Everything: Imagine your living room wall morphing into a personalized newsfeed, tutor, healer or your mirror doubling as a wellness coach. Companies like Samsung and Kohler are weaving AI into the fabric of our homes, with intelligent appliances, health-tracking furniture, and even water-generating shower-heads. It all sounds great but there is reams of data into the all connected everything needing clear privacy protection protocols.
- Robots Rise and Shine: Robots like the ones in Amazon warehouses aren’t the only ones getting smarter. LG introduced AI companions designed to enhance elder care, while Samsung’s robotic chef stirred anticipation for a future where machines handle the messy kitchen and laundry tasks.
- Delivery Drones Do Dallas: Walmart’s partnership with DroneUp is a glimpse into the future of retail. Starting in suburban Dallas with a market service area of over 2 million residents, we will see and learn how this takes off.
Mobility: A Software-Defined Future Has Arrived:
- The AI enabled end-to-end customer experience: AI is redefining every touchpoint, from website browsing to dealership and rental visits, call centers, and even financing. The future of buying, renting and subscribing just got a whole lot smoother, easier and hassle free.
- All eyes on Asia: CES is now by far the most significant vehicle show in the world. While the absence of North American auto giants was noticed, Asian players like Hyundai, Kia, and VinFast stole the auto part of the show. Hyundai’s modular and accessible EV platform and H2 Trailer concept showcased a future of adaptable electric vehicles and clean hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transport. Vietnamese VinFast showcased its multimodal offerings with traditional dressed staff, cool DJ electro beats creating a cool young and fresh vibe for its passenger vehicles, e-bikes and its new “Wild” utility truck that was a bit Rivian and a bit concept vehicle. And while Chinese automakers aren’t technically in the US yet, some of their vehicles were quietly present in several technology software stands.
- Software Takes the Wheel and Intersections: Taking on the pioneering cues from Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz presented visions of software-defined vehicles where over-the-air updates continuously enhance performance and features from driving, paying for tolls and parking, to charging and more. Expect a connected ecosystem where your vehicle learns your driving habits and anticipates your needs and sends data back and forth to your vehicle, home and work site through subscription services, charging, insurance and other providers.
- Goodyear Gets Electric: Even our tires are getting a green makeover. Goodyear’s new EV tires, designed for optimal performance and range, cater to the booming electric vehicle market.
Health: AI Takes Pulse of the Future
- Mental Wellness with a Digital Therapist: AI-powered chatbots and virtual companions were everywhere and are emerging as tools for mental healthcare, offering affordable, instant, all day and night personalized support and breaking down barriers to access especially for Gen Z.
- Biometric Furnishings: From sleep-tracking smart beds to AI-powered skin and eye analysis mirrors, technology is getting intimately personal, aiming to provide comprehensive health insights from the comfort of your home. Once again the theme will all these devices is data tracking and raised more questions than answers on how data is managed, stored and secured.
Energy: Powering the Green Surge:
- Beyond Lithium: While lithium-ion batteries reign supreme, new contenders like sodium-ion batteries showcased by Samsung and solid-state batteries from Hyundai offer hope for more sustainable, less reliance on rare earth minerals and using AI to optimize and extend energy storage solutions.
- Green Hydrogen Comeback: The global hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) market has had a bit of a roller coaster ride and the biggest drawback was lack of infrastructure and fueling sites among others. But at CES it was everywhere from Nikola trucks to Hyundai’s H2 Trailer concept. While electrification is going to do the lion’s share of the green shift in propulsion, there is still a need for clean heavy-duty transportation. The big question is can hydrogen deliver?
- Solar Roof Surge: Rooftop solar panels are getting smarter, with AI-powered systems maximizing energy capture and optimizing consumption for a truly connected home energy ecosystem. Coupled with an electric vehicle, the home now becomes a two-way circular self reliant, mini power plant.
Smart Cities: AI Takes the Reins:
- Traffic Tamers: LiDAR technology is finding applications in everything from smart cities to precision agriculture, proving its versatility beyond the automotive realm. AI-powered and LiDAR enabled traffic management systems proliferated across the show with a promise to decongest our roads, optimize public transportation while intelligent infrastructure like self-cleaning sidewalks and waste management robots contribute to a cleaner and more efficient urban environment. E-ebikes weren’t as prominent this year (signaling they’ve scaled and therefore too mainstream for CES) , but there were plenty of wild micro-pod like devices.
- Predictive Potholes: Imagine roads that not only detect but also predict and repair potholes before they become a nuisance. This is the future promised by AI-powered robotic infrastructure monitoring and self reporting and repairing maintenance systems.
Missing Pieces and Unexpected Entrants:
Big Tech’s Full Force to the Auto World: Google and Apple have been integrating with autos for a while now. Meanwhile, Amazon is increasingly muscling into the transportation and mobility space, blurring the lines between tech and traditional automakers and delivery services. Amazon made an extraordinary presence at the show with clearly articulating how it will tackle the entire car purchase customer journey. The absence of North American automakers was notable with the recent focus on labor negotiations. Still the strong Asian presence is potentially signaling an accelerating shift in the global automotive landscape.
Looking Ahead:
CES 2024 painted a vivid picture of a future where AI, clean tech, and even our tires and deliveries are getting a high-tech makeover. From the way we drive to the way we live, these advancements are no longer science fiction; they’re knocking on our door, ready to revolutionize our everyday lives. It wasn’t just a glimpse into the future; it was a call to action. The “AI for All” theme emphasizes the need for ethical and inclusive development underscored by holistic data management. It also highlighted the need to ensure that technological advancements benefit everyone, not just a select few. As we navigate this AI-powered future embracing its potential while addressing its challenges will be crucial to updating and upgrading our world that is not only smarter but also fairer and more sustainable for all of us.
