AI needs a nutritional label

As I am apt to do, I jumped ahead of myself in my last post and realised I was probably asking the wrong question. It’s only now, after attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), that I’ve concluded that instead of asking “Will the [AI] hype turn into value?” I should have been exploring whether we, as a collective, have grasped how AI is being applied to the technologies we develop or consume.

Artificial intelligence – A term so broadly used that it could mean anything

Las Vegas is an incredible place. As a first-time visitor, I was blown away by the sheer scale and larger-than-life culture! From the moment you step off the plane, you’re faced with a city that bustles with energy and (literally) does not sleep. Adding to this energy was the Consumer Electronics Show which itself drew 140,000 people to Vegas. Despite the crowds, it was an amazing experience.

At CES, I saw innovative companies – the names of which I’d never heard of before – showcasing systems designed to make our lives safer, healthier, and more comfortable. However, one thing became clear immediately: the tech industry has embraced “AI” as a buzzword for nearly anything that is remotely automated. Even traditionally non-tech companies seem eager to adopt the tech-industry playbook, and the line between the two is blurring.

I appreciate that CES has a prototyping element – where vendors aim to stir up excitement from consumers and investors. However, some vendors appeared overly generous in their “AI” claims – many are claiming their ‘AI’ moniker and such overuse of the term risks eroding public trust. I suspect we’re nearing (or may have already passed) a collective eye-roll moment in 2025.

We need an AI “Nutritional label”

When I go shopping at the supermarket, I often rely on nutritional labels to compare new items and make informed choices. At a glance, nutritional labels provide key information about a particular item of food, like its sugar and potassium content, such that I can compare two similar products and find the one that best suits my lifestyle and goals.

A similar approach could benefit AI-powered systems. Imagine a label that provides pertinent insights into the AI technology behind a product. A ‘AI Safely Label’ could clarify:

• The Type of AI Used: Is the system based on traditional algorithms (e.g., if-then-else logic) or more advanced models like generative pre-trained transformers (GPT), generative adversarial networks (GANs), or large language models (LLMs)?
• Accuracy and Reliability: How likely is the AI to provide incorrect outputs? For example, could an AI-enabled baby monitor mistakenly alert me to a risk, or worse, fail to alert me when a real danger exists?
• Data Usage and Privacy: How will my user data be handled, and what privacy measures are in place to protect me and my family?
• Offline Functionality: Will the system – or any associated hardware – continue to function without internet access?

As always, the devil would be in the details, and creating such a label would be no small task, but with the growing diversity of AI technologies – each varying in accuracy, reliability, and security – it could be worth pursuing. A standardised AI “nutritional label” could demystify these systems and help consumers make more informed decisions.

Edit: 22nd Jan 2025 - Having researched this idea more thoroughly, it seems I’m late to the party! If this topic is of interest to you, I’d recommend reading some of Greg Licholai’s (MD) essays, plus the proposal put forward by Twillo. The US FCC is also formalising the ‘US Cyber Trust Mark’ which appears to capture some of the same elements.

Reflections on CES 2025

Did I enjoy CES? Absolutely! Despite the crowds, extensive amounts of walking, and constant background noise, it was an incredible experience for me. From ‘accessibility tech’ that promises to improve our lives to discussions about securing future smart cities, there was a lot of interesting technology to explore and concepts to learn.

The show was dominated by three key themes: digitisation, automation, and electrification – the latter being driven by advancements in the first two. Beyond the expected array of TVs, gaming systems, and household appliances, there are innovative companies quietly doing some incredible things.

My top picks fall into three categories:

Accessibility and Age Tech

This was the standout category for me. As we age, face health challenges, or recover from injuries, technologies designed to beter support us are becoming essential. Notable products at CES in this regard included:

• Kirin Electric Salt Spoon: Helps users monitor sodium intake.
• EarFun AI Interpreter Headphones: Real-time language translation.
• Glidance Mobility Aid & WeWalk Smart Cane: Enhancing mobility for lesser-abled individuals.
• L’Oreal BioPrint: Personalised skincare solutions (my wife would love this).

AR Learning Management

The world we live and work in is becoming vastly more complex, and conventional learning management systems must adapt. While many exhibitors showcased technologies to enable remote work, sustainable living, or energy efficiency, one company in the automotive hall stood out.

DiSTI have developed a product that uses virtual and augmented reality to (in this case) guide a person through maintaining a electric vehicle using augmented reality. I can easily see how this would translate into other industries – they gave a compelling demonstration that would resonate with most.

Energy Solutions

While solar panels, inverters, and battery storage systems aren’t new, companies are increasing the utility of these systems for consumers. For example, Jackery’s Explorer Battery Pack functions as both a stationary power source for a consumer’s home energy system, and it also serves as a portable power solution for outdoor activities or remote sites.

I like this thinking – Jackery has taken a product that already had value and added more for their customers. I’m a firm believer that grid innovation will occur first and foremost in the home.

Wrapping up

Grid innovation will be consumer-led!

Setting aside the gray marketing practices around the industries use of AI, CES 2025 reminded me of the immense potential for technology to improve lives. For those in the electricity generation, transmission, and distribution sectors, the Consumer Electronics Show offers a chance to see how new technologies will reshape the industry – and make no mistake, it will.