The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 is set to kick off on January 5th in Las Vegas, with artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology expected to take center stage. Over 180,000 attendees are anticipated at the largest annual consumer tech expo that acts as a global stage for innovation.
AI assistants and robots steal the show
AI is set to dominate CES 2024, even without OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in attendance. From LG showcasing an AI-powered art curator to Amazon unveiling Astro 2 home robot improvements, AI permeates the entire show floor.
Samsung’s new line of Bespoke AI fridges represent the expanding integration of AI into home appliances. The fridges leverage computer vision to identify food items, suggest recipes, and track expiration dates. Voice assistants built into the fridges can also handle tasks like creating shopping lists.
Additional highlights include Perfect Corp demoing beauty try-on powered by AI-beautification tech to digitally apply makeup. Dell plans to unveil an AI model that generates literary portraits trained on classics. The model can synthesize a character sketch given a literary description.
The surge in AI reflects its expanding presence in consumer tech. As CGMagazine’s Alex Handziuk comments:
“AI is the electricity that powers all future tech. It needs to be easy to implement for developers and easy to understand for consumers.”
Autonomous driving moves down the product pipeline
CES has also become critical for the auto industry to unveil concept cars and announce partnerships. Mercedes, Stellantis, and VinFast are among the automakers hosting press events at CES before heading to the Detroit Auto Show the following week.
Autonomous driving and driver assistance tech continues maturing toward commercial viability, evidenced by VinFast demonstrating its Level 3 and 4 autonomous capabilities. VinFast is leveraging NVIDIA DRIVE’s full autonomous vehicle compute platform to deliver driverless mobility services in the near future.
Vehicle interiors are also getting an AI-powered overhaul. Apple supplier Foxconn will be showing off the Model B electric concept sedan which aims to create an “iPhone moment” for cars. The Model B interior includes displays and sensors which enable AI to track eye movements and emotions, automatically adjusting environmental controls and entertainment options.
Floor showcases mirror wider tech trends
Much of the exhibit floor offers a microcosm highlighting broader trends in consumer tech. AI, internet of things (IoT) devices, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and intelligent mobility solutions take prominence.
| Category | Key Companies | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AI | Amazon, Google, IBM | Home robots, AI assistants, computer vision |
| IoT | Philips, Samsung | Smart home and kitchen appliances |
| AR/VR | Meta, Qualcomm | AR glasses, wireless VR headsets |
| Mobility | Mercedes, NVIDIA, Foxconn | Self-driving vehicles, smart interiors |
Samsung offers a whole-home AI experience, with bespoke fridges leveraging computer vision, AI vacuums navigating efficiently, and microLED TVs upscaling content.
“It’s the year AI comes home,” explains TechRepublic analyst Melody Attari. “Whether through home robots, appliances or entertainment systems, AI is enabling more personalized, responsive user experiences.”
The future of AI
As AI becomes further embedded into consumer tech, balancing privacy, ethics and innovation emerges as crucial. IBM for example requires its researchers document when developing AI that could harm people, while Dell has an internal AI ethics council monitoring developments.
Nonprofit organization Partnership on AI also convenes working groups assessing AI’s societal implications. Despite challenges, AI possesses immense potential to enhance medicine, education, entertainment and more. The innovations showcased at CES 2024 reflect AI’s multifaceted promise.
CES offers a glimpse into the future of consumer tech, setting the stage for AI’s transformative role powering a wave of smart products and services set to define the coming decade.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
