[CES 2024] 'Everything About AI' CES 2024 Opens... Korean Companies Showcase Leading Technologies

Opening on the 9th in Las Vegas, USA
Keynote speeches by CEOs of Siemens, Intel, and L'Or?al
HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Jeong Gi-seon as Korean speaker
20% of participating companies are Korean firms

The curtain has risen on ‘CES 2024,’ the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition leading the trend of future innovative technologies. This year’s exhibition showcases artificial intelligence (AI) technologies integrated into various industries and our daily lives, including home appliances, mobility, distribution, healthcare, and beauty. Global companies gathered at CES unveil their honed technologies on the world stage, allowing consumers to see the most advanced global technologies at a glance.

CES 2024, which opened on the 9th (local time) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, saw participation from over 3,500 companies from more than 150 countries. Eureka Park, the hub where global innovative technologies converge at CES, hosted the largest number of startups ever. The number of visitors from around the world is expected to reach 130,000, an increase of about 20,000 compared to last year. Not only Las Vegas but also the neighboring city of Los Angeles was bustling with people flocking to see CES. It took more than two hours just to complete immigration procedures, and direct and domestic flights to Las Vegas had already sold out a year in advance.

The world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2024, opened on the 9th (local time) at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Nevada, USA. Participants are moving to the exhibition venue.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The theme of CES 2024 is ‘All Together, All On,’ meaning that all companies and industries must unite to solve humanity’s problems through ‘technology.’ The keynote speakers at this CES introduced familiar products used throughout our daily lives, from processors handling electronic devices such as desktops and laptops to hairdryers and XR (extended reality) headsets. However, these are not just simple everyday products but are condensations of advanced technologies reflecting the efforts of global companies representing each industry.

Gary Shapiro, chairman of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organizer of CES, expressed his thoughts at the start of the event, saying, "We are pleased that CES 2024 brings together companies, visitors, and media to showcase innovative technologies that can solve the biggest problems we face today and dream about the future."

The opening keynote of this year’s CES was delivered by Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens. On the 8th, Siemens unveiled an industrial high-definition extended reality (XR) head-mounted display developed in collaboration with Sony. CEO Busch said, "Through the XR head-mounted display, we can make the industrial metaverse indistinguishable from reality," adding, "By adding artificial intelligence (AI), we can even solve real-world challenges."

In the consumer goods sectors such as distribution and beauty, the vision of utilizing AI was also emphasized. Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Or?al, became the first in the beauty industry to deliver a CES keynote, highlighting the positive role of beauty tech using technology. During his keynote, Hieronimus unveiled the next-generation hairdryer ‘AirLight Pro,’ which won a CES Innovation Award, and introduced L’Or?al’s strategic investments. This product combines infrared technology and airflow to visually manage hair more smoothly and dry it quickly, reducing energy consumption by up to 31%. It also features operation in conjunction with an application, allowing users to customize settings according to their needs.

Hieronimus said, "For 115 years, L’Or?al has used science to provide and innovate experiences that satisfy individuals’ desires for beauty," adding, "AirLight, developed in collaboration with technology-savvy startups, has proven performance enhancement through technology, fulfillment of diverse needs, and reduction of environmental impact."

Nikola Hieronymus, CEO of L'Or?al Group (left in the photo), and Barbara Lavernos, Senior Vice President of Research, Innovation & Technology, are introducing the Air Light Pro, which won the CES 2024 Innovation Award, at CES 2024 held in Las Vegas on the morning of the 9th (local time).
[Photo by L'Or?al]

Two CEOs leading the U.S. semiconductor industry also delivered keynote speeches. On the day, Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, gave a conversational keynote titled ‘The Impact of Semiconductors and Software (SW) on the Modern Economy in the AI Era.’ At this year’s CES, Intel unveiled the 14th generation HX series processors for laptops, designed for professionals.

In response to the question, ‘Can AI threaten humanity?’ Gelsinger said, "Only technology has existed as a neutral platform in the industry for the past 40 years, and the outcome of technological advancement has depended on how humanity has handled technology," adding, "AI continues to solve problems that have been unsolvable for decades, and we must create AI for good."

On the 10th, Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, will deliver a keynote on how semiconductors can realize AI innovative technologies. Amon is expected to emphasize that Qualcomm’s ‘Snapdragon’ semiconductor is the optimal chip for implementing generative AI across various devices. Jung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai and the only Korean keynote speaker, will personally explain the infrastructure construction concept called ‘Site Transformation.’

Meanwhile, Korean companies’ influence at this year’s CES appears stronger than ever. About 20% of all participating companies at CES this year are Korean. In terms of participation scale, Korea ranks third after the United States and China. Among the 27 companies selected for the ‘Best Innovation Award,’ given by the CTA for products and services with outstanding technology, design, and innovation, eight are Korean companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.