Confessions of a CES Fanboy (from afar): AI, Innovation, and Bridging the Tech Gap

Okay, confessing here: this post may have been crafted with the help of the ever-so-smooth Bard, my current AI soulmate (sorry, ChatGPT, maybe next year!). While attending CES is a career bucket-list dream, this year, I got my fix through the eyes and ears of our intrepid US team, and it seemed to be an ai-opening (that was me, not Bard) exhibition.

But before I dive into the tech tsunami that was CES 2024, let me just say this: the energy emanating from the US side, the sheer buzz around innovation, it's infectious. And guess what? The same energy is just as alive here in MENA, too. Sure, there's always been a bit of a "tech gap" between the US and other regions, but the rate at which we're embracing new ideas and making them our own is exhilarating. The gap is closing, one algorithm at a time (that was Bard).

Speaking of algorithms, AI stole the show (as expected). This is its second year as a mainstream utility, and the sheer force of its evolution is breathtaking. But what struck me most wasn't just the power but the psychology of AI. Turns out, this theory called "self-determination" talks about three core needs for optimal well-being: autonomy, competency, and relatedness. Now, imagine AI as your new tech sidekick. Suddenly, the link becomes clear: Generative AI empowers autonomy (think creating art with a few lines of code!), and assistive AI boosts competency (imagine a world where AI makes complex tasks seem like a breeze).

Sure, the big names showcased mind-blowing applications – AI-powered healthcare chatbots, self-driving cars that read your emotions, you name it. But the real gems were the innovations that subtly augmented our human capabilities and ecosystems around us. Here are five examples I loved (okay, so this bit is me; at the time of writing, Bard can not read my mind)

• Amazon AWS uses AI/ML to predict when vehicle components are nearly at the end of their life from operating under stress. The infrastructure automatically connects service teams to the necessary parts. Very cool and as a car fanatic but well-experienced with the delays of Al Quoz garages, I’d love to see this here.
• Similarly, Walmart US has developed an InHome Replenishment system that uses AI to learn your consumption patterns and anticipates what you need to order next. A future win for Instashop and Hunger Station?
• Walmart again, and this time, they’ve partnered with NBC for the creation of ‘ready for shopping’ episodes of the show Beyond the Deck to allow a seamless retail experience from your TV
• Afference showcased ‘The Phantom Glove,’ which adds to a conventional AR experience by using haptic technology to create a sense of touch.
• With the region already obsessed with immersive shopping experiences, L’Oreal revealed a Scent-Station, an immersive fragrance-finding experience that connects neuron responses to fragrance preferences through a multi-sensor EEG headset to recommend fragrances based on a wearer’s emotional response

These weren't just gadgets; they were glimpses into a future where technology doesn't replace us but rather amplifies what makes us human – our creativity, our resilience, our capacity for connection (ooof, well done Bard, check you out!)

Find out more in our CES Human Element Podcast.