Why Did CES 2023 Ignore the AI Bubble? Shocking Revelations That Could Change Everything!

Las Vegas, NV — The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up last week, and this year's event was dominated by robots. Attendees were greeted by a towering humanoid robot that waved to the crowd, while behind them, a doglike robot navigated the convention floor. This spectacle is common at CES, where companies from across the globe showcase innovations ranging from AI-driven devices to advanced robotics.

Every January, CES transforms the Las Vegas Convention Center into a hub of technological marvels. However, beyond the glitz and glamour, many of the showcased products—like flying cars—remain in the realm of speculation, while others are prohibitively expensive, such as televisions priced in the tens of thousands of dollars. The show serves as a barometer for industry leaders like Nvidia, Intel, Amazon, and Samsung, indicating where they are placing their bets for the future.

Artificial intelligence (AI) once again emerged as the star of the event. From humanoid robots that could potentially staff factories to voice-activated refrigerators, the breadth of AI applications was on full display. The excitement around these technologies created a bubble of optimism, seemingly insulated from the skepticism often associated with AI’s rapid evolution and its implications for the workforce and society.

CNN spoke with several tech executives at CES regarding the concerns surrounding an AI bubble. Responses varied: some executives dismissed the relevance of the bubble to their businesses, while others expressed enthusiasm for the technology's potential. “We’re in the earliest stage of what’s possible. So when I hear we’re in a bubble, I’m like… This isn’t a fad,” said Panos Panay, chief of devices and services at Amazon.

Despite these optimistic projections, some analysts remain cautious. According to S&P Global, tech companies are projected to pour over $61 billion into data center investments by 2025, raising concerns that these investments might be outpacing genuine demand. Moreover, Goldman Sachs estimates that AI companies will invest more than $500 billion in capital expenditures this year. Researcher Julien Garran from MacroStrategy Partnership has even suggested that the current AI investment bubble is 17 times larger than the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s.

Many concerns surrounding the AI bubble focus on investments in data centers that are designed to handle AI tasks, which are often too power-hungry for everyday devices like laptops and smartphones. At CES, Nvidia announced that its next generation of computing platforms, which will support these data centers, will be available by the second half of this year.

Executives from chipmakers Intel and Qualcomm highlighted their respective strategies to address these challenges. Intel is concentrating on developing chips that enhance laptop performance rather than making high-risk investments. “We’re focused on products that are important to our consumers,” noted Jim Johnson, head of Intel’s client computing group.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm plans to improve how devices process AI tasks locally instead of relying primarily on cloud computing. CFO Akash Palkhiwala stated, “As far as we’re concerned, where we operate is not where the bubble conversation exists.” Qualcomm is also making strides into the data center market, although it represents a small segment of its overall business.

In a conversation about the future of AI, CK Kim, executive vice president at Samsung, emphasized that the company's focus is on whether AI technology brings real value to consumers, rather than assessing the industry's bubble status.

AI and the Hunt for the Next Big Thing

The pursuit of value was a recurring theme at CES, particularly in the development of humanoid robots. Companies such as Nvidia, Intel, and Hyundai introduced technologies intended to power these machines. Notably, Boston Dynamics and Hyundai showcased Atlas, a humanoid robot designed for industrial applications like order fulfillment. Atlas is set to be deployed at Google’s Robotics Metaplant Applications center in the coming months, with broader adoption expected in early 2027.

“With one investment, we can explore any application in the world, from industrial use cases to retail use cases to home use cases,” explained Aya Durbin, who leads Boston Dynamics’ humanoid application product strategy, during an interview at Hyundai’s booth.

The tech industry is on the lookout for the next breakthrough product after the smartphone revolution, and many believe AI could be the key. At CES, several companies unveiled listening devices capable of recording conversations, including AI jewelry from startup Nirva, the Index 01 ring from Pebble, and a wristband from Bee, now owned by Amazon.

While these devices promise convenience—allowing users to interact more swiftly than typing—concerns about data privacy loom large. Business leaders generally agree that AI is integrated into everyday life. Pete Erickson, CEO of tech events company Modev, pointed out that while the industry might be experiencing a bubble, AI is undeniably a permanent fixture. “I don’t think it’s going anywhere,” he asserted.

As CES 2026 showcases the dazzling possibilities of AI and robotics, it also raises critical questions about the sustainability of investments and the real-world applications of these technologies. The future remains bright, but the path forward demands careful navigation through the complexities of technological advancement and ethical considerations.