Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly permeating everyday devices, marking a significant transition from traditional data centres to localised hardware, referred to as "the edge." This development was prominently featured at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which concluded on Friday, showcasing an array of personal computers (PCs) and devices equipped with advanced AI chips that enhance their performance and functionalities.
Kamesh Medapalli, senior vice president of innovation and technology at Infineon Technologies, remarked during the event that, "Whatever was running in the cloud last year is running on the edge this year," highlighting the acceleration of AI applications in local devices. The CES has become a platform for "AI PCs," which are touted as having capabilities that were once the domain of substantial data centres. He underscored the enormous potential of edge computing, stating, "The opportunity is huge on the edge."
A notable figure at CES was Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, who received considerable enthusiasm from attendees when he announced an expanded line of graphics processing units (GPUs) designed to enhance PCs with AI functionalities. Addressing the audience, Huang noted that "nearly all computer makers are working with Nvidia to get ready, so AI PCs are coming to a home near you."
One of the significant innovations presented was "Project DIGITS," which Huang described as a personal AI supercomputer. This system leverages a new Nvidia "superchip" for prototyping and executing large AI models on desktop computers, suggesting a move towards decentralised AI capability. "AI will be mainstream in every application for every industry," Huang stated, emphasising the importance of providing such technology to data scientists, researchers, and students.
Medapalli further explained the implications of this shift to edge computing, citing that functions traditionally reliant on cloud processing, such as generating responses from AI chatbots, can now be managed on personal devices without an internet connection. "All your data is private and local – that is what I mean by edge AI, and that is rapidly coming," he confirmed. The scope of edge AI includes various devices such as robots, cameras, and vehicles, positioning it as a sector with substantial growth potential.
According to market analysts from Canalys, AI-capable PCs are anticipated to represent approximately 40 percent of total PC shipments in the current year, a figure projected to more than double by 2028. Ishan Dutt, a principal analyst at Canalys, stated, "The wider availability of AI-accelerating silicon in personal computing will be transformative," explaining that these devices would foster productivity gains, enhanced personalisation, and improved power efficiency while concurrently lowering costs associated with AI workloads.
Visitors to CES showed notable interest in the offerings from Gigabyte Technology, which featured Nvidia’s high-performance processors. Mia Qu of Gigabyte noted the demand for advanced graphics cards and high-performance gaming laptops, terms that resonate particularly with gamers and users requiring robust storage and performance capabilities.
Tech analyst Avi Greengart pointed out that AI features are increasingly appealing to consumers looking to streamline their workflows and enhance their everyday tasks, including optimising battery life and refining video conferencing experiences. "We are actually seeing AI making a difference in real things people actually do," Greengart observed, further underscoring the growing integration of AI into practical applications at the consumer level.
As AI technology continues to evolve and integrate into various devices, the implications for business practices and user experience represent a significant shift, poised to reshape how technology is utilised in both professional and personal contexts.
Source: Noah Wire Services