Las Vegas becomes the global center of technology and innovation as more than 130,00 attendees, business leaders, and over 4,000 exhibitors arrive for the start of CES 2024, January 9-12. Across more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space and 250 conference sessions, the ETC@USC team of reporters and analysts will cover stories of greatest interest, importance, and potential impact to the future of media and entertainment. Smart TVs and next-gen displays; the latest in processor upgrades; AR, VR and XR; security; mobility and robotics are among the themes we expect to take center stage, all of which will be tied in one way or another to AI.

Artificial Intelligence has been part of the CES discourse for several years but the November 2022 launch of ChatGPT exploded preconceived notions. This year at CES, we expect AI to be a dominant theme as it grows from making smart products smarter to generative applications.

Intel has already made AI the centerpiece of its CES plans, with CEO Pat Gelsinger set to keynote and promising in their media alert tech showcases and AI-focused sessions that “will explore how Intel technologies, supported by innovative and open software, enable AI capabilities for consumers and businesses to create a better, responsible, more sustainable, and more inclusive future for all.”

As the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner of CES, celebrates its 100th anniversary, CES announced the addition of technology as the eighth pillar in the Human Security for All (HS4A) global campaign, a partnership with the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) and the World Academy of Art and Science.

“This year at CES, we are excited to spotlight the critical role that technology is playing to improve every aspect of the human experience,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA.

It will be interesting to see what L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus showcases during the opening day keynote. In announcing the first ever CES keynote from a beauty company, CTA noted, “L’Oréal knows that technology, powered by advanced data and AI capabilities, is an essential tool for creating powerful new connections and experiences for its consumers.”

On-device generative AI is expected to be a highlight of Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon’s keynote conversation. “We’re entering the age of generative AI, and on-device generative AI has the potential to profoundly impact how we interact with our devices,” said Amon in the CES announcement. “Running AI pervasively and continually on the device will transform our user experience, making it more natural, intuitive, relevant, and personal, with increased immediacy, privacy, and security.”

Nvidia and Sony bookend the Monday media day with special presentations at 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM,respectively, and both streaming live. Nvidia will focus on consumer technologies and robotics in their morning session. AI and Nvidia technologies will be the focus of 14 conference sessions, including four at Digital Hollywood.

Sony is saving its major display announcements until a May showcase, and will focus instead on the creative community under the theme “Powering Creativity Through Technology.”

The advertising, entertainment and content community at CES gathers in the C Space, where “the C Space Studio brings together the world’s leading brands, advertisers, media platforms and content. This year, the C Space Studio interviews on January 9 and 10 will feature celebrities including:

• Robert Downey Jr., the actor known for roles including “Iron Man”
• Blake Griffin, co-founder of Mortal Media, former NBA player for the Boston Celtics
• Ryan Kalil, co-founder of Mortal Media, television producer and former NFL player for the Carolina Panthers
• T-Pain, music artist and record producer

Netflix makes its show floor debut with its own booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center Central Hall (Booth #17048). “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will present on January 9 to promote the new sci-fi series “3 Body Problem.” Of the immersive display conceived for the booth, Netflix says, “An otherworldly headset will transport CES attendees into the mysterious world of ‘3 Body Problem’ in a fun and experiential way, showcasing the series’ genre-bending high stakes.”

CES Unveiled kicks off two days of media previews and offers the first glimpse of new products to be featured on the show floor. Then as the show opens on January 9, our first stop is Eureka Park, where more than 1200 early stage companies and an increasing number of national delegations from countries around the world showcase some of the most forward-thinking and promising new ideas.

Some additional topics, exhibitors, and conference sessions highlighted by CES include:

Top Themes

• Artificial Intelligence — AI will be front and center with applications that can improve health care, sustainability, productivity, accessibility and more.
• Mobility — 250+ exhibitors from automotive tech to self-driving and electric vehicles and personal mobility.
• Sustainability — Companies will show how they are making a positive impact through innovations in accessibility, energy, food tech, resilience, smart cities, clean water and more.

Keynotes

• Siemens CEO Roland Busch — January 8, 6:30 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus — January 9, 8:30 AM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan — January 9, 11:00 AM, ARIA
• Walmart CEO Doug McMillon — January 9, 2:00 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger — January 9, 5:00 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Elevance Health CEO Gail K. Boudreaux — January 9, 5:00 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• HD Hyundai CEO Kisun Chung — January 10, 9:00 AM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman — January 10, 2:00 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon — January 10, 2:00 PM, Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom
• Best Buy CEO Corie Barry — January 10, 6:00 PM, LIT Dinner (invitation only)

Top Conference Tracks & Content

• C Space — Features the marketing, entertainment and media industries exploring tech trends impacting content consumption, advertising and consumer behavior.
• C Space Storytellers — Features influencers and newsmakers sharing their stories, best practices and case studies with the brand and content community at CES.
• C Space Studio Interviews — Executive interviews from top global brands including Deloitte, General Mills, iHeartMedia, Uber Ads, The Female Quotient and TikTok.
• Great Minds — The Great Minds series will explore the new era of innovation ahead and highlight the great minds who are helping steer companies through a time of incredible societal change and pioneering a new future powered by technology.
• Innovation Policy Summit — CES gathers policymakers from across the world to discuss domestic and global tech policy issues including privacy, trade, competition, artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles, and more.
• Research Summit — Learn about consumer and enterprise trends across verticals.