AI takes shape at CES 2017

Artificial intelligence (AI) will take on a more concrete shape at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 next week, with industry-leading electronics giants ― Samsung and LG ― planning to showcase new home appliances equipped with AI features. In recent years, the CES has been all the rage with such themes as the Internet of Things (IoT), connected vehicles and smart TVs, with global IT firms hyping their latest technological achievements. But AI is expected to start taking center stage as a new keyword, as appliance manufacturers as well as automakers here and abroad hinted at unveiling their new products driven by their AI brains at the upcoming events. The move comes as the global technology industry is bracing for an AI-led paradigm shift, amid sluggish growth in such hardware-centered industries as smartphones. Global smartphone shipments this year will reach some 1.45 billion, growing only 0.6 percent from a year ago, according to market researcher IDC.