The Best AI Products at CES

The Best AI Products at CES

by This Week in Startups

with Sunny Madra

-

Jan 15, 2024

CES's Impact on AI Advancements [0:00-3:12]

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has historically been a venue for showcasing the latest in hardware innovation, but this year, artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage. The show highlighted the symbiosis of hardware and software and how companies leverage new technologies to advance AI applications. CES was abuzz with anticipation about how these advancements will shape the industry. As Jason puts it, 'software now is trumping the hardware in many ways.'

Jason reflects on previous technology arcs such as the mobile revolution initiated by the iPhone and cloud services. He suggests that we are now experiencing a similar surge in AI technology, with CES spotlighting how these advancements could potentially revolutionize various sectors and consumer experiences.

The Buzz Around 'Rabbit' [3:49-7:14]

Rabbit, a new handheld device resembling the classic T-Mobile Sidekick, captured most of the attention at CES. The Rabbit R1 garnered interest for three reasons: its unique, purpose-built large language model (LLM), iconic design, and competitive pricing. The device falls into a category of technology that provides seamless integration with popular services like Spotify and Gmail without requiring subscriptions for its LLM, making it distinct from existing AI assistants like Siri.

Though Rabbit's immediate market success is in question, its integrated approach may present a significant step toward more accessible and user-friendly AI applications. Jason cautions, however, about the device's economic viability given its low price point and lack of recurring revenue, showing skepticism about its long-term impact.

> 'The company... not only released the device but they came up with their own large language model.' \[4:48-4:54]

The Future of AI With GPT-5 [23:27-24:33]

Bill Gates and Sam Altman’s recent conversation hinted at significant developments in the AI sphere with the upcoming GPT-5. This advanced version is expected to feature video capabilities, improved reasoning and reliability, and user customization. These enhancements could not only boost existing applications like Rabbit's device but could also catalyze a new wave of innovative AI interfaces and startups that leverage LLMs for tailored experiences.

> 'GPT-5... touches on... enabling user customization.' \[23:55-24:02]

Elli Q: An AI Companion for the Elderly [24:44-30:20]

Elli Q emerged as another notable AI solution at CES, designed to address senior loneliness through interaction and engagement. This AI-powered companion offers various services, including cognitive games, exercise instructions, and reminders for appointments. Elli Q exemplifies a trend towards consolidating multiple services into a single platform, showcasing solid integration of hardware and advanced AI to target specific user needs.

> 'Loneliness in seniors is a really big problem.' [25:12-25:19]

Smartphone Controls for Kids via AI [33:37-38:21]

MMGuardian's AI-powered smartphone for kids was presented as a solution to parents' growing concerns over their children's online safety. By using multimodal LLMs to overview and alert parents about potential issues like cyberbullying without needing app integrations, the device represents a significant stride in child protection technology.

> 'It... gives you summaries of... bullying is happening or... the content that's being used is inappropriate.' [34:13-34:18]

Introduction of GPT Store [40:24-43:16]

OpenAI's launch of the GPT Store is a game-changer, resembling a classical App Store but powered by millions of AI applications. Despite potential quality control concerns, this launch indicates a shift towards AI-driven solutions in mainstream consumer technology. However, partnerships between AI and existing apps, such as AllTrails, raise questions about subscription models and potential business cannibalization.

> 'We got the launch of the GPT store... featured like a classical App Store.' \[40:24-40:42]

Conclusion

The prevalent themes from Sunny Madra’s visit to Jason's show suggest an imminent AI revolution, marked by CES's focus on AI, Rabbit's innovative approach, anticipation around GPT-5, the compassionate design of Elli Q, MMGuardian's pivot to AI for child safety, and OpenAI’s introduction of the GPT Store. The undercurrent of these discussions is the transformative potential of AI - shaping not only consumer electronics but also the way we approach service delivery, personal assistance, and even child protection. While there is excitement about AI's future and its integration with hardware, concerns about market viability and the nuances of business strategy within AI ecosystems remain an ongoing conversation.