Welcome to The Prompt, your Monday dive into the world of AI that puts Asia front and center. From Big Tech’s power players to the region’s scrappy disruptors, we cover it all. Want full access to all our AI reporting? Subscribe to us here.
Hello reader,
CES ended last week in the US, and one message cut through the clutter: AI is no longer a novelty in consumer tech.
For instance, Samsung plans to integrate AI across its entire product range. That doesn’t simply mean you can interact with a Gemini chatbot built into Samsung’s fridges, but the way these devices operate is going to be influenced by AI. Samsung’s washing machines will use AI to analyze floor types and reduce vibrations.
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Sounds gimmicky? Sure, but users will always welcome a quieter washing machine.
The thing is, integrating such a level of intelligence into everyday devices will become easier thanks to companies like Nvidia, which is doubling down on open-source foundational models by making the training data publicly accessible.
Meanwhile, I was asking my children what gifts they were hoping to get for Christmas when my Pokemon-obsessed son shouted “a talking Pikachu.” A quick web search led me to HelloPika, a mini Pikachu figurine from 2018 that can react to users’ speech with simple actions such as shaking its head or shouting “pika-pika” while glowing its cheeks.
I tried to find something more recent that’s powered by AI, but nothing came up. That’s probably because obtaining a license from Nintendo is difficult, though I also don’t think AI can help Pikachu talk without it breaking character and replying in natural language.
AI-powered toys in general would have been a hit last year, if not for an investigation by a consumer advocacy group in the US. The report revealed how these toys could veer into discussing sexual topics and telling children where to find knives at home.
You can get more insights from my reporting on AI-powered toys in one of last week’s top AI reads.
In other news, China is celebrating an AI milestone: Zhipu AI, the Beijing-based startup behind the GLM family of models, has officially started trading at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, followed by its competitor MiniMax a day after. These mark the first IPOs among major Chinese generative AI firms.
As countries and companies race to harness the power of AI, one topic has sparked debate: AI consciousness. What happens if you swear at a chatbot you trust?
While we wait for a consensus, it may be worth watching our language. The machines are listening.
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