A crowd gathered at the Microsoft Surface Studio 2+ event in New York City in September, examining the latest technology developments involving artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and smartphones. As 2023 comes to a close, this year has been marked by significant advancements in technology, with a focus on on-device AI, generative AI for professional workflows, wireless TVs, AI assistance for PC users, and air-pinching gestures. These breakthroughs in innovation are expected to influence the development of new technologies in 2024.
On-device AI has been a major focus for companies like Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm, who are looking to implement AI functionality directly on smartphones, personal computers, and electric vehicles. This approach aims to improve user experiences by enabling tasks such as generating images via text, real-time translations, and accessing AI assistants without an internet connection. On-device AI also offers benefits such as enhanced privacy, personalization, reduced latency, and lower energy consumption for data centers.
Generative AI has been integrated into professional content creation tools from companies such as Canva, Apple, and Adobe, empowering artists, videographers, designers, and others to enhance their workflows. These tools leverage large language models to push the capabilities of GPUs and RAM in computers and servers, leading to an AI arms race among semiconductor companies. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with new technologies being developed to support generative AI for professional use.
Wireless TVs have made waves in 2023, with companies like Displace and LG Electronics introducing cord-cutting appliances that communicate with a nearby base station to transmit visual and audio information. Although these wireless TVs come with a high price tag, they represent a step toward a future without cords and cables, offering an immersive viewing experience with minimal latency and improved sound quality.
Microsoft has made strides in AI assistance with the introduction of Copilot, a Bing Chat-powered assistant that aims to revolutionize user interactions on Windows PCs. With a focus on creativity, productivity, and cybersecurity, Copilot offers an accessible entry point for users to experience generative AI applications without the need for third-party applications or extensions.
Finally, air-pinching gestures have become normalized, with devices like the Apple Watch, Vision Pro headset, Meta Quest 3, and Humane AI Pin introducing new ways to interact with technology. By mimicking the natural hand gesture of pinching, these devices allow users to select, drag, and expand windows and interfaces without physical contact with the hardware. As technology continues to evolve, the multidimensional capabilities of air-pinching gestures raise questions about user experiences and accessibility for individuals with different needs.
