ConnectingAI #85: CES 2025 highlights AI’s hardware needs and more

Top ConnectingAI articles of the week 

1- CES 2025 highlights AI’s hardware heeds: AI took center stage at CES 2025, with a session from Deloitte's exploring the critical role of hardware in powering advanced computing and emerging technologies.

2- Why Private AI is becoming the preferred choice for enterprise AI deployment: Private AI is becoming the go-to for enterprises, offering control over sensitive data while enabling cutting-edge capabilities. This secure, on-premises approach is reshaping how businesses deploy AI.

3- Data center hardware spending surged last year: Generative AI drove a record rise in global data center hardware and software investment last year. Companies are racing to acquire GPUs to support their expanding AI workloads.

4- Chipmakers in the spotlight at CES as hardware matters again: AI's growth has shifted attention back to hardware, with silicon reclaiming its importance for intelligent edge processing. As Deloitte's Bill Briggs noted, “Hardware matters again.”

5- Edge AI Revolutionizes Audio Chips: With its low latency and enhanced privacy, edge AI is transforming industries from IoT to automotive. Actions Technology’s breakthroughs in audio chips are paving the way for seamless AI integration in everyday life.

6- 3D chips developed by MIT: A quantum leap in artificial intelligence: MIT engineers have revolutionized chip design that allows multiple semiconductor layers to be stacked, resulting in smaller devices with greater processing capacity. With this discovery, computing is moving towards a more powerful, sustainable and efficient future.

AI piqued my interest

1- AI Meets Modular Living at CES: Pininfarina has created three hyper-functional modular housing units "controlled" by AI. From a strictly automotive point of view, the modular units on wheels are an interesting evolution from the autonomous vehicle to the mobile platform and, finally, to the long-term residential solution based on AI.

2- Personalized Podcasts with ‘Daily Listen’: Google is taking things a step further for users by providing personalized AI-generated audio recaps of news based on your Search data. By clicking on the feature, you get a 5-minute or less audio recap of topics you're interested in, generated by AI.

3- State-of-the-Art AI Predicts Gene Activity in Human Cells: AI is helping to unravel the mysteries of the human genome for potentially life-saving treatment of genetic and complex diseases. A breakthrough AI model from Columbia University predicts gene activity across human cell types, unlocking new possibilities for treating genetic diseases.

4- How Are Companies Using AI Agents? Here’s a Look at Five Early Users of the Bots: AI agents have emerged as one of the most exciting aspects of generative AI for enterprises. Autonomous AI agents are taking business automation further, performing tasks like lead screening and travel booking without human intervention, promising better ROI for enterprises.

5- AI is set to transform education — what enterprise leaders can learn from this development: Arizona’s Unbound Academy is piloting AI teaching assistants, offering personalized learning experiences and promising over double the academic growth compared to traditional methods. This pilot program offers a glimpse into how AI could integrate into existing education systems, supporting both teachers and students by enhancing lesson planning, saving time and providing real-time insights into student progress.

6- X launches Grok’s iPhone app in the US: Now a standalone app, Grok has rapidly grown to be one of the top AI generative chatbots, capable of generating images and giving more casual, funny, and more importantly, up-to-date responses.

More on ConnectingAI, Connecting Everything next week. 

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