🗞️ AI News Recap

Hey TEDchats Fam!

Happy Monday! As the virtual dust settles on the latest and greatest innovations showcased at CES 2024, it's time for a friendly recap of the dazzling array of artificial intelligence breakthroughs that left us all wondering, "Is this our future, or did we just accidentally step into a sci-fi blockbuster?" So, grab your favorite futuristic snack, and let's dive into the AI wonderland that was CES 2024!

🐇 QUICK BITES — THE PAST WEEK

Have Sci-Fi Movies Become Our Reality?

• LG's Transparent Television: LG unveiled a transparent OLED TV, merging cutting-edge technology with home aesthetics. This innovation challenges the traditional concept of televisions, offering a glimpse into the future of home entertainment (see more).

• Holoconnects AI-Powered Hologram: The Holobox, roughly the size of a phone booth, can project a life-sized holographic representation of the person you're communicating with, completely revolutionizing digital conversations (see more).

• Keep Phone Conversations Private with a Mask: The ‘Silent Mask’ by Skyted promises ultimate privacy. The mask reportedly absorbs 80% of voice frequencies, allowing for private and clear conversations in noisy surroundings (see more).

• AI Binoculars: Swarovski Optik’s AI binoculars aid birdwatchers in identifying birds and other animal species, with the added feature of sharing spotted locations with fellow users. This device is currently available on the market for $4,799.00 (see more).

• Advanced Baby Stroller: Why not let an AI-powered stroller do the work for you! The Ella stroller by GluxKind comes with several features, including a rocking motion that ultimately "elevates the happy moments of daily parenting and lightens the stressful ones” (see more).

• A Smart Mirror for Mental Health: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" is becoming a reality through Baracoda, the creators of BMind Smart Mirror. As a health companion, this mirror identifies moods and offers light therapy sessions, including guided meditations and self-affirmations (read more).

AI for Improved Quality of Life

• LG's Home AI Agent: LG introduced an AI agent that brings smart technology to the core of home management. With its “affectionate intelligence”, this agent not only manages your smart home but can also show you empathy! The home assistant can greet you at the door, analyze your emotions through voice and face analysis, and select music or content to match your mood, among many other tasks. It can even share its personality with you "through a range of motions and facial expressions” (see more).

• Whispp's AI-Assisted Communication: Marking a significant milestone in assistive technology, Whispp has introduced an AI-powered app that turns whispered or impaired speech into clear voices. The app is now available on the App Store and Google Play. This groundbreaking development is not just a technical achievement; it's a gateway to a more inclusive world of communication (discover more).

• Zoe Care's Smart Safety: Zoe Care has introduced a groundbreaking Wi-Fi-based fall detection system, changing how we approach elderly care and safety. This technology utilizes Wi-Fi signals to detect falls and promptly notifies caregivers through a mobile app. Promising a more secure living environment for the elderly, it eliminates the necessity for cameras or wearable devices (learn more).

• Nowatch’s AI-Powered Fitness Tracker: In an effort to make health tracking less intrusive and more intuitive, Nowatch introduced a health tracker that utilizes AI to offer insights into fitness, sleep, and stress — all cleverly packaged in the shape of a watch (learn about its features).

Automotive Innovations

• Honda's Sleek EV Future: Honda captivated the audience with its 0 series electric vehicles (EVs), “enabling people to transcend every constraint”, as they put it. These vehicles stand as a testament to the evolving landscape of eco-friendly transportation, embodying a "Thin, Light, and Wise" design philosophy (read & see more).

• Hyundai's Hydrogen Vehicles: Hyundai showcased its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells, emphasizing its role as a key player in the transition to sustainable energy. This move marks a bold statement in the automotive industry's ongoing quest for eco-friendly alternatives (see Hyundai's vision).

• Mercedes-Benz Elevates In-Car Tech: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new MBUX Virtual Assistant featuring generative AI and advanced 3D graphics. Aiming for a "hyper-personalized user experience", this new system offers a voice assistant that anticipates needs and personalizes journeys, whether it's playing morning news or suggesting a meeting dial-in (read more).

• Google Maps' EV Integration: Google has introduced a new feature in Google Maps specifically designed for EV drivers, allowing them to track and display real-time battery information. The list of major brands offering cars with Google built-in is expanding, with Nissan, Ford, and Lincoln models rolling out this year and Porsche expected to launch down the line (read more).

• The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles: CES 2024 buzzed with discussions about the new buzzword "software-defined vehicles”. These vehicles, defined primarily by their software, represent a shift in the automotive world where functionality and experience are as malleable as the code that drives them (delve into the concept).

Life Made Easy with AI

• Rabbit's Pocket Gadget: In a step that redefines personal assistance, Rabbit introduced the r1 — a compact AI device designed to perform everyday tasks. Instead of using your phone, you can just speak to this gadget for various tasks like ordering a cab, searching for nearby eateries, or securing weekend accommodation (see more).

• Samsung and Google’s Paired Devices: These tech giants took center stage with their announcement of a unified sharing solution under Samsung’s Quick Share platform. This collaboration allows for a more interconnected Android ecosystem, facilitating the sharing of content, such as pictures, files, and text, across various devices, including phones, laptops, Bluetooth accessories, TVs, smart homes, and cars (read more).

• Breggz’s High-End Earbuds: Showcasing the fusion of luxury and technology, Breggz presented its $2,000 In-Ear Computer, offering an unmatched audio experience for the most discerning audiophiles (see more).

• Nvidia's AI-Ready Laptops: Nvidia stepped into the spotlight with its GeForce RTX 40 Super series, setting a new benchmark in gaming and AI performance. These advancements not only elevate gaming experiences but also represent a leap toward more potent, AI-integrated systems, including AI-ready laptops (read more).

• Alexa Upgraded: Through Amazon’s collaboration with Character.AI, Alexa users can now engage in real-time conversations with a range of AI-generated personas, whether it's getting motivated by fitness coaches or gaining insights from historical figures. Splash's music integration enables users to compose songs using voice commands, like “Alexa, create a song with Splash Music”, while Volley has introduced an AI-enabled version of the “20 Questions“ game (read more).

While the Spotlight Was on CES 2024, Significant Developments Quietly Unfolded in the Background

• OpenAI Launches GPT Store for Customizable Chatbots: OpenAI has finally launched a GPT Store — a marketplace for custom chatbot applications powered by AI models like GPT-4 and DALL-E 3. This new platform introduces a diverse range of chatbots tailored for specific tasks, ranging from cooking to tattoo design, collectively referred to as GPTs (access the store here).

• Quora Raises $75M for AI Chatbot Platform Poe: Quora, the company known for its question-and-answer website, has recently secured $75 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). This investment is earmarked for the growth of Poe, Quora’s AI chat platform. The funding is also intended to support Quora's creator monetization program, incentivizing the development of new bots and prompts within the Poe ecosystem (read more).

• Google Cloud Targets Retail with GenAI Innovations: Google Cloud announced new GenAI products at the National Retail Federation's conference, focusing on retail applications. These include the Conversational Commerce Solution, enabling AI-powered chat agents on retail websites and apps for customer interaction and personalized product recommendations. Another feature is the Catalog and Content Enrichment toolset, which employs GenAI models for automatic generation of product descriptions and images from minimal input (read more).

• Elon Musk Announces Vision for X: Under Musk's ambitious leadership, X (formerly Twitter) is poised for transformation with a 2024 roadmap that incorporates peer-to-peer payments, allowing users to send and receive money directly within the 'Twitter' platform. Among several new AI-driven features, an upcoming 'See Dissimilar Posts' option will enable users to challenge their perspectives, thereby improving the quality and balance of information they receive (read more).

🧰 AI TOOLBOX — RECAP

👋 UNTIL NEXT TIME

As we reflect on the strides made in AI, one can't help but wonder: What societal shifts will these breakthroughs bring? How will they shape our daily routines, our industries, and our understanding of what's possible? After the innovations showcased at CES 2024, it's impossible not to feel a sense of awe at the boundless potential of artificial intelligence.