The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has had to overcome the disruption produced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the rise of cloud and enterprise software. It is a challenge for a show that typically relies on gadgets.
However, Fred Jacobs, president and founder of Jacobs Media, says he thinks CES 2025 is bouncing back by featuring AI and the latest advances in next-gen vehicle technology that allow seamless integration of entertainment options.
“For AI, we see a lot of things like ‘Let AI help you do your family’s laundry’ and ‘Let AI assist you in the kitchen to pick out the correct spices to use to season your food,’” he says.
Jacobs says CES attendees who work in broadcast need to study how AI is being used in other industries and decide how it might apply to radio.
While it’s a big challenge covering the landscape at CES with its two million square feet of exhibits, Jacobs says it’s more of a “brain thing” rather than just wearing good walking shoes.
“Your feet hurt for sure, but also your brain hurts,” he says. “Given what we are going to see on the floor the heavy lifting for us as tour guides is thinking about how this new technology can translate into what we do in radio. It’s fun connecting the dots and seeing how it can all work together.”
Among the stops on Jacobs’ walk-through CES tours include Hypervsn. The company offers holographic signage and avatars, which could be significant for radio station appearances. “This would be a way for stations to display themselves more easily and get attention at promotional events,” he says.
Timekettle is another point of interest for Jacobs at CES. The AI language translation solution company may present opportunities for broadcast applications. “It makes us think about using AI to sign on a radio station, for example an HD-2, which would be identical to a English-speaking version. Perhaps a broadcaster could create a Spanish speaking companion through AI voice technology,” he says.
CES 2025 features innovations from 4,000 companies and continues through Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and a number of venues across Las Vegas.
