The CES is an annual event held in Las Vegas, showcasing the latest in consumer electronics and innovationsFrom January 7th to 10th, CES 2025 promises to be a spectacle, bringing together a multitude of tech companies and industry professionals eager to present their groundbreaking advancementsThis year, a notable surge in participation is expected from Chinese technology firms, with over 1,300 exhibitors showing up to demonstrate products spanning a wide range of categories, including computers, household appliances, wearable devices, display panels, and automotive technology.

One of the defining features of CES 2025 is the omnipresent theme of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Over the past year, AI technologies, particularly those based on large language models and AIGC (AI Generated Content), have continued to evolve and find practical applications across various sectorsHowever, the general public's awareness of AI capabilities remains relatively low, largely due to the nascent stage of integrating AI with hardware

Factors such as computational power, model performance, hardware capabilities, and software experiences are all still refining toward their peak potential.

Technological growth is inherently fluid, and the journey of AI development is still ongoingTech companies are continuously exploring various practical applications of AI, which is also the focal point of CES 2025, epitomized by the theme of "AI Technology's Hardware Manifestation."

One of the most anticipated competitions at CES revolves around smart glasses, inspired by last year's introduction of Ray-Ban Meta glasses which made AI integration practical and accessible for usersOver the past decade, the field of smart glasses has grappled with integrating display technology into lenses while contending with challenges related to size and battery consumptionRay-Ban Meta, however, turned this issue on its head, combining a classic sunglasses design with integrated cameras and AI voice assistance – addressing both aesthetics and functionality.

The success of Ray-Ban Meta has prompted a wave of interest from Chinese companies eager to dive into the burgeoning field of AI-powered eyewear

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Baidu, a major Chinese tech player, has announced the upcoming launch of their Xiaodu AI glasses, which harness the capabilities of their proprietary Wenxin large model to deliver an optimized AI experience in ChineseReports also indicate that other internet giants like ByteDance, Tencent, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo are developing their own AI eyewear products, indicating a fierce competitive landscape.

Many of the innovative smart glasses slated for display at CES 2025 will originate from startups and specialized companies, showcasing a plethora of exciting productsFor example, Thunderobot, a known computer hardware manufacturer, has surprised many in the industry by announcing its entry into the wearables market with three various models of AI glassesThis unexpected shift signifies the onset of an all-out “glasses war”, as noted by industry experts.

Current market studies reveal that global smart glasses penetration is below 1%, but projections suggest that by 2030, this figure could soar to 20%, translating to sales exceeding 55 million units, subsequently making smart glasses one of the most sought-after personal electronic products post-smartphones

This high potential has prompted both established corporations and emerging startups, along with PC manufacturers and appliance producers, to eagerly pursue a piece of the AI glasses market.

Another highlight of the CES 2025 will be NVIDIA's new GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cardsCEO Jensen Huang's keynote speech is highly anticipated, generating excitement among game developers, AI practitioners, and gamers alikeInitial leaks suggest that the RTX 50 series is set to introduce "Neural Rendering" technology, which leverages AI to enhance texturing, shading, and lighting effects, promising a much more immersive user experience.

This update is not just relevant for gaming enthusiasts; it also potentially holds significant implications for smaller AI companies regarding computational enhancementsGiven that professional AI GPUs like NVIDIA's H100 and H200 have become both expensive and scarce, firms are looking to RTX high-end models as more cost-effective alternatives for training large models, with the RTX 5090 model expected to be in high demand upon its release.

As the conference unfolds, various manufacturers will also showcase new PC innovations, including Lenovo's rollable screen laptops and ASUS's AI integrated PCs/tablets

However, consumer awareness and familiarity with AI-powered PCs are sluggish due to the limited availability of Microsoft's Copilot AI in certain regions, indicating that the adoption of AI-enhanced PCs may take longer than anticipated.

Of course, the competition never ends, with AMD also set to unveil their latest processors utilizing the RDNA4 architecture, while Intel hopes its new second-generation Core Ultra mobile processors will help regain market share.

Household appliances remain a consistent focal point at the CES, with heavyweights like Samsung, Hisense, TCL, Sony, Panasonic, LG, and Changhong planning to showcase their latest advancements, alongside innovative cleaning appliance firms such as Ecovacs and Xiaomi.

This year, Hisense has taken a bold step with its "AI Your Life" slogan, heavily investing in AI-driven technologiesTheir significant advancements in AI-assisted display quality, utilizing proprietary AI chips and foundational models, aim to introduce scene comprehension and enhanced AI processing capabilities

Early promotional materials hint that Hisense may extend AI functionalities to other appliances, potentially transforming the typical household into an interconnected "AI life" experience.

Samsung, meanwhile, has confirmed its participation with a groundbreaking AI refrigerator boasting "AI mixed cooling technology," melding AI algorithms with smart cooling mechanics to optimize energy consumption supposedlyThis design philosophy may serve as inspiration for other appliance manufacturers grappling with energy concerns in the modern context.

Chinese brands specializing in cleaning devices have also gained notoriety at CES, with companies such as Roborock and Ecovacs set to display their latest innovationsAs the domestic cleaning appliance market becomes increasingly saturated, many manufacturers are turning their gaze overseas, adapting their offerings to fit target markets

In fact, Roborock's international market income reportedly constituted 65% of total revenue last year, showcasing the potential for growth in foreign markets.

Market customization for foreign consumers poses both a challenge and an opportunity for companies focusing on outdoor cleaning equipment, pool cleaning robots, and facade cleaning devicesThese markets offer vast potential, but success requires nimble development capabilities and a steadfast investment in AI technology.

Regardless of market size, whether in major appliances or cleaning devices, the CES serves as a launchpad for new products on the domestic frontEncouragingly, over ten provinces and cities have extended their subsidy programs for replacing older appliances, providing further motivation for appliance manufacturers heading into 2025.

In stark contrast to consumer electronics, the automotive technology sector at CES 2025 is focusing on the broader exploration of future transportation modalities

For example, the Xpeng Motors’ “land aircraft,” which was previously showcased last year, will make a return to display its remarkable onboard automated dock-and-undock capabilitiesThis hybrid vehicle combines conventional ground transport with a vertical takeoff and landing capability, functioning as both a ground vehicle and a mobile charging station for aircraft, with expected mass production starting in the fourth quarter of this year.

The term “low-altitude economy” has been gaining traction lately, emphasizing the development of sound policies to promote the execution of low-altitude economic strategiesWith supportive regulations, companies like Xpeng and AVIC are poised for continued exploration into flight vehicles and their associated supply chains.

German automaker BMW will present its innovative panoramic iDrive cockpit, enhancing driver experience through proximity projection and head-up displays instead of traditional dashboards

At the same time, automotive giants such as Tesla, Zeekr, Honda, and Hyundai are showcasing concept vehicles packed with innovative technologies.

However, amidst all the excitement for CES 2025, there’s a darker aspect to consider: the rampant misuse of AI conceptsThe event's official site has already announced 362 CES Innovation Awards, but there’s legitimate concern that many of these products do not genuinely reflect innovation and instead showcase superficial design elements and vague claims surrounding AI functionalities.

An alarming trend is that nearly all hardware products are now volleying their "AI" credentialsFrom AI plant boxes to AI saunas, the market is flooded with items that make dubious claims about AI capabilities, with many emphasizing basic functions, such as automated temperature adjustments or personalized customizationsThese products predominantly rely on pre-programmed algorithms, diluting the concept of true AI integration into mere marketing jargon.

Speculations surrounding AIGC technologies focus on the underlying necessity for data to drive any AI process, which explains the aggressive acquisition of NVIDIA’s AI GPUs

The road to vertical adaptation of general large models remains complex, requiring companies to invest significantly in training data – a process that demands both time and financial resources.

Nonetheless, AI's trajectory seems unstoppable, as illustrated by various players reasserting its relevance within their strategiesAs Baidu’s CEO Li Yanhong stipulated in a company-wide message: “While super applications may not yet be clearly visible, the actual penetration rate of AI is substantial and poised to experience exponential growth in 2025.”

For consumers in this dynamic environment, the reality is encountering numerous products cloaked in AI marketingHowever, approaching these innovations with critical insights into practical use cases should prevent unnecessary AI hype, as we collectively await the emergence of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).