Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs triggered Wall Street’s steepest plunge since COVID, erasing $3.1T in market value. Tech giants like Apple and Amazon were hit hardest as global supply chain fears grew. Experts warn of looming stagflation, recession, and economic fallout.
OpenAI’s $40 billion funding deal led by SoftBank could make it one of the most valuable private firms in the world. But there is a catch. It must fully transition to a for profit model by the end of 2025 or risk losing billions, marking a major shift for the AI company.
Elon Musk’s xAI has bought social media platform X for $33 billion, calling it a major step in combining AI with real-time public conversation. Critics are concerned about data privacy and the true value of X, while others see it as a bold move to challenge AI leader OpenAI.
The Next Wave of AI Takes Over: A Look at CES 2024 and Beyond
The AI revolution is upon us, and CES 2024 is just the beginning. Whether you're an avid tech enthusiast, a curious observer, or a cautious sceptic, there's no denying the excitement and potential of the AI-powered future that awaits.
Brace for AI overload at CES 2024! From smart cars to chatty TVs, expect everything powered by AI.
Chips get smarter! New processors bring AI directly to devices, making things faster and smoother than ever.
Beyond AI: CES isn't just robots. Health tech, electric cars, and beauty gadgets also take centre stage.
Global AI wave: CES is just the start! Keep an eye on MWC Barcelona, VivaTech Paris, and more for AI action throughout 2024
Beyond Siri & Alexa: CES 2024 Showcases AI Revolutionising Everything
Get ready for a tidal wave of artificial intelligence (AI) at CES 2024. The annual tech extravaganza, kicking off January 9 in Las Vegas, promises to be awash in AI-powered gadgets, gizmos, and innovations. This year, AI isn't just a sprinkle on the tech sundae; it's the cherry on top, the whipped cream, and maybe even the ice cream itself.
AI Everywhere
Expect to see AI woven into the fabric of everything from self-driving cars and smart scooters to headphones, cameras, speakers, and even televisions. We're not just talking about voice-activated assistants anymore. Think real-time language translation on the fly, personalised news feeds curated by AI algorithms, and even AI-powered art generators creating custom masterpieces before your eyes.
Chip Power
Underpinning this AI revolution will be a new generation of chips from tech giants like Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD. These chips will bring AI processing power directly to devices, eliminating the need for laggy cloud-based processing. Imagine snappy computer vision, seamless voice-to-text, and instant language translation, all happening right on your device.
Beyond the Buzz
While AI will undoubtedly be the headliner at CES, it's not the only act in town. The automotive industry, though taking a backseat to AI this year, still promises exciting electric vehicle reveals from companies like Honda. Health tech will also be prominent, with a focus on wearables, remote patient monitoring, and personalised healthcare solutions. And for the first time ever, CES will feature a dedicated beauty tech section, with L'Oréal taking centre stage with a keynote address.
Extended Reality Takes Flight
With Apple's rumoured Vision Pro headset looming on the horizon, expect a renewed interest in extended reality (XR) at CES. Companies will be looking to either capitalise on the excitement for Apple's offering or carve out their own niche in the growing XR market.
Quotes from the AI Trenches
Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy: "We didn't get the full CES fire hose of AI announcements last year like we're going to have. If you thought it was a wave last year, it's going to be a tsunami this year."
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association: "AI is almost like the internet; it's a huge ingredient that's not going away. Companies don't go to CES and say, 'Here's the internet.' It'll be interesting to see how they implement generative AI."
A CES Like No Other
This year's CES promises to be an event unlike any other. Buckle up for a sensory overload of AI-powered everything, alongside advancements in healthcare, automotive technology, and the ever-evolving world of XR. It's going to be loud, it's going to be crowded, and it's going to be a glimpse into the future of technology, powered by the unstoppable force of AI.
Beyond CES: A Global Look at AI Events
While CES may be the epicentre of the AI storm in January, the rest of the year promises a slew of other exciting AI-focused events across the globe. Here are a few to keep your calendar marked:
MWC Barcelona (February 27 - March 2): The Mobile World Congress will showcase the latest advancements in AI for mobile devices and 5G networks.
VivaTech Paris (May 16-18): This European tech festival will feature a dedicated AI village, with startups, demos, and conferences exploring the cutting edge of AI innovation.
Slush Helsinki (November 29-30): This Nordic startup festival is known for its focus on emerging technologies, and AI is sure to be a major theme in 2024.
Web Summit Lisbon (November 27-29): This global tech conference will bring together thought leaders and industry giants to discuss the future of AI and its impact on society.
The AI revolution is upon us, and CES 2024 is just the beginning. Whether you're an avid tech enthusiast, a curious observer, or a cautious sceptic, there's no denying the excitement and potential of the AI-powered future that awaits.
China will require clear labeling of all AI-generated content starting September 1, 2025, marking a strict global standard. Backed by top agencies, the rule targets fraud and misinformation. Firms like Tencent must comply or face penalties, while trust may grow for those who do.
Sam Altman’s praise for an AI-generated short story backfired as critics slammed it for shallow writing and clumsy metaphors. The backlash spotlights a gap between OpenAI’s marketing and its product’s creative limits, giving rivals a chance to challenge its content credibility.
Microsoft’s sudden pause on 2 gigawatt data centers across the US and Europe rattled AI infrastructure markets, sinking energy stocks and raising doubts about oversupply. While rivals press on, Microsoft shifts focus to efficiency, hinting the AI boom may be due for a reality check.
NVIDIA's Blackwell Chip ignites an AI innovation race, slashing DeepSeek R1’s time to 10 seconds. Dobot’s $27,500 humanoid robot dazzles, sending stocks soaring with affordable automation flair. Alphabet’s $32B Wiz buy excites markets, yet U.S. cyberattacks cast a dark shadow over tech’s rise.