🎪 AI takes center state at CES 2024

For engineers, AI enthusiasts, robot lovers, techies, futurists, marketers, and many others, this week has been dominated by the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. We are out here enjoying the “All On” theme with boots-on-the-ground at the show. So, I figured I’d dedicate this issue to the show — particularly since the obvious theme this year is AI.

We have also seen big initiatives and focuses on hydrogen as an alternative to electric, sustainability in general, robotics and accessibility, but virtually every company and presentation is rooted in AI.

Siemens is doing amazing work with AI (and also the “industrial metaverse” which is beyond incredible and features in this issue’s Tools of the Week, below). So are Samsung, Sony, and even machinery giants like Doosan, and automotive companies like Hyundai and Volkswagen.

Billions of dollars are being invested in making AI that is intuitive, powerful, safe, secure, private, and everything else we AI maxis have been anticipating and calling for.

Another theme I’ve picked up on is that most of the big tech companies that really seem to “get it” are all-in for collaboration. The way in which Microsoft, Sony, Siemens, Samsung, AWS, and others are collaborating is how exponential progress is made.

It’s also thrilling to see the evolution of “smart robots” and all their applications, from autonomous lawnmowers to robo-chefs, robots capable of surgery, and everything in between.

Finally, but notably, Siemens announced moves into the low-code and no-code space (using AI) that will become a bonafide game-changer as well.

This is where everything is heading: The convergence of all the tech, tied together with AI, and it has me and the tens of thousands of other attendees here at CES very optimistic and excited.

Did a friend forward this e-mail to you?

IE₊ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING
_{Invest In Science And Engineering}

Craving the hottest AI intel before it hits the mainstream? IE+ is your VIP pass to the inner circle of AI trends. We're talking expert analysis, in-depth interviews with the minds behind the tech, and a sneak peek at the tools and trends that will revolutionize tomorrow - and it is Ad-Free.

NEWS FROM CES 2024

• ✴️ Post-phone era? Tiny ‘Rabbit’ AI device ditches apps for real-world magic

  Rabbit OS on the r1 uses a Large Action Model to understand and replicate human actions on various computer interfaces, effortlessly streamlining workflows.
  

• ✨ Samsung adds AI to make the best TV technology even better

  Only the best TVs, soundbars, and projectors — now sprinkled with AI.
  

• 🥸 McAfee unveils new tech that fights deepfake scams, over 90% accuracy

  Project Mockingbird is designed to keep you safe online against deceptive AI-generated content.
  

• 👩‍🚀 This AI-VR helmet will provide mental support for astronauts on Mars

  French company Coreod Space claims its “Space Agent Traveler” VR helmet will usher in a new era of space mindfulness.

MUST READ

AI and Innovation Take Center Stage at CES 2024

The highly anticipated Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 has officially commenced in Las Vegas, offering attendees a glimpse into the latest innovations poised to reshape consumer tech.

As one of the largest electronics exhibitions globally, CES 2024 spans over 2.5 million square feet across multiple venues including the Las Vegas Convention Center. With more than 4,000 exhibitors showcasing products across 40 categories, CES 2024 brings together the greatest minds to reveal what’s new in tech. Here are some the main themes.

Experts forecast sustained Growth Amid Economic Uncertainty 

Despite inflationary pressures, experts predict 2.8% growth for the US consumer tech industry in 2024, reaching over $512 billion in revenues. As tech remains competitive through innovation and efficiency enhancements, consumers are still spending on devices like TVs, smartphones, and laptops. The industry’s deflationary power persists.

The Age of AI: Transforming experiences across verticals

Advances in AI stand to energize both consumer and enterprise technology companies in 2024. From semiconductors to platforms, services, digital twins and robotics, AI will reshape experiences across every product category at CES and beyond. Over 40 percent of US adults already believe AI impacts their daily lives.

Innovative product launches and concepts

CES 2024 showcases a range of AI-enhanced consumer products, and our own CES team will report on all major announcements as the event unfolds over the next week. Check out our live coverage here!

OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES

• 👩‍⚖️ Google readies for a courtroom showdown over AI technology

  Singular alleges Google copied tech for AI in major products.
  

• 🗞 OpenAI hits back at New York Times copyright, says lawsuit ‘without merit’

  This comes after the New York Times slapped copyright infringement charges on OpenAI and investor Microsoft.
  

• 🏍 TS Ultra: Verge unveils world’s first motorcycle with sight-enabled tech
  Verge Motorcycles revolutionizes rider safety with the TS Ultra, the world's first motorcycle equipped with Starmatter Vision for enhanced vision and AI-driven alerts.
  

• 🌭 InnoGrill 2.0: Industry's first AI-piloted solar-powered hybrid grill unveiled

  Unveiled at CES 2024, Brisk It's next-generation AI-powered NeoSear InnoGrill 2.0 is the best thing since sliced bread for grilling.

PROMPT OF THE WEEK

1. This is a modifiable prompt that can be used to research and best leverage a conference like CES:

2. “Act as my concierge and tell me all the most innovative AI companies with booths at CES 2024 (currently underway) that I should visit while here. I want to know the most impactful and different ones I shouldn’t miss. How will I know which ones to prioritize? Please respond in a manner an executive assistant would and format it in a spreadsheet.”

TUTORIAL

Context and patience are important

I always try to include powerful, actionable, and unique tutorials every week here, but this week I’m so stretched thin with CES that I’ll just leave a simple but often overlooked or easily forgotten component of using AI most powerfully, which is context. I mentioned it last week, but it bears repeating that the more specific the context you can provide to your AI in the prompt, the better the results can be.

Also, always ask your AI to explain how it got there (“show your math”), and ask it to review the prompts and recommend how the prompts could have been refined to be even more effective.

Have patience with your AI and don’t give up too easily — chances are it can do whatever it is that you want it to do, if you know how to ask and encourage it.

TOOLS OF THE WEEK

⚙️ Siemens Industrial Metaverse: Powered by AI, generative AI, and augmented reality, this bold move into the “phygital” has applications in virtually every part of our lives including prototyping, engineering, learning, training, collaborating, healthcare and so much more.

Powered by AWS, the Industrial Metaverse “will redefine reality” (in their words) and focuses on accelerating innovation, access to new tech, and sustainability. Seeing demos of the Industrial Metaverse was a great source of wonder to myself and the hundreds of others who saw the keynote.

🔮 Samsung Bixby, Knox, and Ballie 2 are Samsung’s moves to make smart homes and totally connected lives a reality, by reimagining the personal assistant, prioritizing personal data security and privacy, projection and so much more.

Speaking of projection, which the Ballie 2 robot does, they also revealed their 8K wireless projector, which is amazing, and also some of their new AI-powered TVs ,and many other devices. Their vision: “Intelligence is becoming part of our lives.”

🦾 Doosan Cobots this is an AI powered robotic arm that has so many applications from cooking to surgery, and so much more. The precision, range, versatility and intelligence behind these robotic arms really showcases the power of AI-powered robotics.

💠 Nvidia Jetson is effectively a series of embedded computing boards for developing and deploying AI applications, but it’s fast, energy efficient, has a community element, and support for devs as well. This is what the AI world needs to continue making meaningful progress at the speed we all want it to.