Episode 49: CES Semiconductor Trends, Where was AI? 2024 Outlook

The Circuit

Summary

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss their experience at CES and the presence of AI in various products. They explore the evolution of massage chairs and the AI wash in the industry. They also analyze the two tracks of AI at CES, with a more muted presence in big vendor booths and a greater focus in Eureka Park. The conversation delves into the role of AI in semiconductor vendors and the importance of on-device AI. They discuss the balance between cloud and edge AI and the outlook for semiconductors in 2024. They also touch on the revival of VR and AR and the potential for exciting developments in the future.

Takeaways

CES featured a more muted presence of AI compared to previous years, with a focus on specific use cases rather than generative AI.
The massage chair industry has seen advancements in AI sensing and 5D rollers, but there is still an AI wash in the labeling of products.
Semiconductor vendors are re-examining their roadmaps to incorporate more on-device AI, recognizing the need for advanced sensor fusion and compute at the edge. The balance between cloud and edge AI is becoming more symbiotic, with a recognition that both are necessary for a comprehensive AI strategy. The outlook for semiconductors in 2024 is mixed, with a cyclically good year expected but uncertainty about significant advancements in consumer-facing AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and CES Experience
01:09 The Fascination with Massage Chairs
05:02 The Muted Presence of AI at CES
26:06 The Compute Happening at the Edge
27:29 The Outlook for Semiconductors in 2024