There was a big leap forward for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2023, marked by foundation models and the viral adoption of AI-powered tools. The hype around this transformative technology continues to grow, with spending expected to increase at a CAGR of 19.1% until 2027. From what we observed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), AI is set to revolutionize everything from cars and wearables to the things around your home. Below are three key technological trends from CES that we expect will have a major impact on everyday life.
1. AI and Robotics
The field of AI is growing rapidly, as evidenced by the numerous booths and panels covering the technology at CES 2024. As Dr. Fei Fei Li, co-director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, puts it, “This technology is here to stay. It is here to be deepening into all vertical businesses and consumer experiences, and it is changing the very fabric of our societal, economic, and political landscape.”
Advances in raw computing power played a big role in accelerating today’s AI transformations. At CES, Intel highlighted how silicon and software are crucial to making AI more accessible. Intel and AMD announced a series of new processors designed for AI personal computers, which have a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) for AI-related tasks. Nvidia also announced three new graphics processing units (GPUs) designed for AI-ready laptops, some of which were showcased at the event by several PC makers. As Generative AI models become more complex and workloads become more AI-driven, these chipmaking giants will continue to revolutionize processing power and enable AI innovation for everyone, everywhere.
When it comes to robotics, several companies are exploring AI to make robots feel more familiar and welcoming. For example, a robot barista mimicked human movements while serving coffee to attendees. Generative AI makes interactions more dynamic and personalized, reducing reliance on pre-written scripts and command-based voice responses. The robot, Moxie, utilizes GPT-powered AI to generate human-like, free-flowing conversations.
2. Smart Home and IoT
AI is also making great strides for smart homes. At CES, tech giants Samsung and LG announced AI-powered robot assistants that can better understand users, learn from their habits, and provide personalized services. Generative AI is being explored in creative ways, such as a smart grill that can answer all kinds of questions about cooking and a smart mirror that can provide guided meditation.
However, an integral aspect of Smart Homes is making sure every device works well with one another. Last year, we covered Matter, an industry standard that aims to unify fragmented smart home systems. Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Matter is a software protocol that improves interoperability among IoT devices. Although implementation has been slow, there were many Matter-related innovations at CES this year. Several companies announced Matter-compatible applications and devices such as smart locks, smart light bulbs, and robot vacuum cleaners. There are controllers and hubs that allow consumers to view and control all their Matter-compatible devices in one place.
In a keynote address, Siemens highlighted how technology is transforming the everyday, unveiling a smart home energy management portfolio. Everything is becoming electric, from appliances to cars, and there’s a need for more sustainable ways to consume and manage energy. The company also announced breakthroughs in immersive engineering that allow wide-scale prototyping in a virtual environment.
Digital Twins and the Industrial Metaverse are becoming more accessible, allowing businesses to solve real-world industry challenges sustainably and efficiently. They will drive digital transformation across all industries, including Smart Homes and Smart Buildings.
3. Automotive and Mobility
Software-defined vehicles, characterized by the ability to add capabilities primarily through software, continued to dominate discussions at CES. Companies are continuously exploring how to integrate software functionalities into their vehicles, and now that includes adding AI.
While AI-powered autonomous driving is not a new concept, there’s a growing focus on exploring more innovative ways to infuse AI technology. In their keynote, Sony emphasized the crucial role AI plays in making the in-vehicle experience smarter. And sure enough, automotive giants such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz announced how they are working with LLM providers to provide more personalized, human-like, and interactive digital assistants right in the dashboard.
At the event, several mobility concepts also promise to redefine the way consumers move around cities, including an infinitely customizable vehicle from Kia, the second generation of Hyundai’s electric air taxi, and flying cars.
Innovate in 2024
This year’s CES highlighted the rapid development and transformative impact of AI. The innovations presented show that early adopters stand to gain a significant competitive advantage. As the field evolves, there will be numerous opportunities to innovate and create value in the enterprise. Those who continuously experiment, learn, and improve with this transformative technology will see success in 2024 and beyond.
Orion has been working closely with clients to develop solutions that enhance the lives of consumers and how businesses participate in a digital economy. As a digital transformation firm, we work closely with companies to build Generative AI POCs for high-value use cases such as business process automation, customer experience customization, customer service automation, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management. Customer experience will be a key differentiator in building innovative products in the Industrial and Consumer Tech applications. Our partnerships with leading hardware manufacturers and SaaS solution providers ensure expedited time to market and cost efficiency for our clients.
Learn more about our Industrial & Consumer Tech expertise and OI Labs.ai initiative.
