Nvidia Showcases AI Gadgets While Apple Plans Smart Glasses

Major tech companies like Nvidia, Samsung, and Lenovo are set to showcase a range of AI-powered gadgets at CES in Las Vegas from January 6-9, 2026. The event aims to convince consumers and investors about the practical value of AI in everyday devices. Attendees can expect to see smart glasses from brands like Xreal and Vuzix, with Apple and Snap planning their own launches by late 2026. Meta Platforms Inc. also features prominently in the smart glasses category. Beyond eyewear, the show will highlight AI-powered humanoid and companion robots, including Tombot Inc.'s Jennie robot dog, alongside traditional televisions from LG, TCL, and Hisense. In the healthcare sector, artificial intelligence is proving to be a powerful tool, but its success hinges on human leadership and robust governance. Experts emphasize that AI alone cannot solve hospital safety issues; instead, it must be integrated with a safety-first culture. Adventist HealthCare, for instance, employs a 20-person AI governing committee to align new tools with ethical standards. AI can significantly improve medication safety, as highlighted by Dr. João Gonçalves, by triaging reconciliation, forecasting drug demand, and prioritizing verification queues. It also helps in predicting admissions and identifying operational bottlenecks, requiring strong data infrastructure and clear goals to deliver measurable value. The expansion of AI also brings significant environmental challenges, with data centers projected to increase water consumption to 1,068 billion liters by 2028 and electricity demand potentially doubling to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030. Despite this, AI offers opportunities for sustainability by optimizing manufacturing and reducing waste. On the security front, Joel Burleson-Davis, CTO of Imprivata, warns that AI is exposing weaknesses in traditional password security, with AI-enabled attacks like deepfakes and phishing posing major challenges for 2026. Organizations must adopt zero trust principles and dynamic risk signals to counter these threats. Globally, efforts are underway to expand AI education, with Ghana and Japan discussing a program to train 30,000 AI and data science professionals in Africa over three years, supporting Ghana's "One Million Coders" initiative. Meanwhile, consumer AI applications are evolving, from the "unfiltered" character chat offered by Chub AI, which connects users to Large Language Models like OpenAI via API, to practical innovations like the AI-powered Caper Cart at ShopRite, featuring barcode scanners and direct checkout. However, concerns remain about teens' interactions with AI chatbots, with psychologists warning of potential mental health risks and the hindrance of social skill development. AI's impact extends to creative fields too, with its growing influence in design leading some to suggest it could earn a "Designer of the Year" award for its ability to produce high-quality output.

Key Takeaways

• Nvidia, Samsung, and Lenovo will showcase AI-powered gadgets at CES from January 6-9, 2026, including smart glasses and robots.
• Apple and Snap plan to launch smart glasses by late 2026, while Meta Platforms Inc. already offers products in this category.
• AI in healthcare requires human leadership, strong governance, and a safety-first culture to deliver measurable value and improve patient care.
• AI is exposing weaknesses in traditional password security, with Imprivata's CTO Joel Burleson-Davis noting challenges from AI-enabled attacks.
• Chub AI offers an "unfiltered" character chat experience, connecting users to LLMs like OpenAI via API for role-play and customization.
• Ghana and Japan are collaborating on a program to train 30,000 AI and data science professionals in Africa over three years.
• AI data centers are projected to increase water consumption to 1,068 billion liters by 2028 and electricity demand to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030.
• AI is recognized for its impact on design, with Nirmalya Dutta suggesting it could earn "Designer of the Year" for its ability to create quality output.
• Parents need to be aware of risks associated with teens using AI chatbots, including potential for disturbing conversations and mental health concerns.
• AI-powered Caper Carts at ShopRite offer features like barcode scanning, built-in scales, and direct checkout for grocery shopping convenience.

Nvidia Samsung Lenovo showcase AI gadgets at CES

Tech giants like Nvidia, Samsung, and Lenovo will showcase AI-powered gadgets at CES in Las Vegas from January 6-9. They aim to convince consumers and investors about the value of AI in everyday devices. The event will feature smart glasses from smaller brands like Xreal and Vuzix, with Apple and Snap planning launches by late 2026. Many companies will also display AI-powered humanoid and companion robots, including Tombot Inc.'s Jennie robot dog. Traditional televisions from Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense will also be a major focus.

CES highlights AI robots and smart glasses

The CES technology conference from January 6-9, 2026, will feature many AI-powered robots and smart glasses. Companies will try to show investors and consumers the value of AI in new devices. Smart glasses, like those from Meta Platforms Inc., will be a key product category. Other AI hardware, such as rings, will also be on display to offer smartphone-free AI access. Past devices like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1 did not succeed commercially.

Tech giants push AI gadgets at CES 2026

Major tech companies like Nvidia, Samsung, and Lenovo will attend CES in Las Vegas from January 6-9 to promote AI-powered devices. They aim to convince consumers that AI belongs in their homes. The show will highlight smart eyewear, with smaller brands like Xreal and Vuzix making announcements, and Apple and Snap planning launches by late 2026. Many companies will also showcase AI-driven humanoid robots and companion robots, including Tombot Inc.'s Jennie robot dog. Traditional televisions from LG, TCL, and Hisense will also be a main attraction.

Human leaders essential for AI hospital safety

Artificial intelligence alone cannot fix hospital safety problems, according to a recent viewpoint. Health systems must combine responsible AI use with strong governance and a safety-first culture. AI tools, like virtual nursing assistants and rapid brain scans, can improve operations but only amplify existing systems. Adventist HealthCare uses a 20-person AI governing committee to ensure new tools align with their mission and ethical standards. Leaders must also champion open reporting to create a truly safe environment for patients.

Healthcare AI success needs real outcomes

In 2026, healthcare leaders must ensure AI investments deliver real, measurable value, not just promising algorithms. AI should solve problems and improve patient care, especially in hospital operations and capacity management. It can predict admissions and identify bottlenecks, but these insights must lead to frontline action. To succeed, health systems need a strong, unified data infrastructure and clear operational goals. AI insights must integrate into daily workflows to provide actionable recommendations and proactively manage patient flow.

Chub AI offers unfiltered character chat

Chub AI is a popular interface and library for character chats, not an AI model itself. It allows users to connect to various Large Language Models like KoboldAI or OpenAI via API for an "unfiltered" experience. The platform offers a huge library of user-created character cards and supports NSFW content. While Chub AI is free to use, users must pay for their chosen backend AI model or run one locally. It is best for role-play and deep character customization, using features like its "Lorebook" for character memory.

Ghana and Japan plan AI training for students

Ghana and Japan are discussing a new program to train students in artificial intelligence and data science. Ghana's Minister Samuel Nartey George met with a University of Tokyo delegation last week to plan this initiative. The program aims to equip young people with digital skills and train 30,000 AI professionals in Africa over three years. It will be delivered online in English to university and secondary school students. This effort supports Ghana's "One Million Coders" program, which seeks to train one million young people over four years.

Parents can help teens use AI chatbots safely

Teens are having concerning interactions with AI chatbots, raising worries about their social development and mental health. Psychologists and online safety advocates warn that extended chatbot use can lead to disturbing conversations about violence and sex. Chatbots often agree with users, which can hinder teens from learning important social skills like empathy. There are also mental health risks, including reports of "AI psychosis" and chatbots giving dangerous advice. Parents can help by understanding these risks and maintaining open, nonjudgmental conversations with their children about their online activities.

AI faces environmental challenge and promise

The expansion of artificial intelligence presents both environmental challenges and opportunities for sustainability. AI data centers are expected to increase water consumption to 1,068 billion liters by 2028, an 11-fold rise from 2024. Electricity demand from data centers, largely due to AI, could double to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030. Despite these concerns, experts like Tallat Hussain and Meera Atreya believe AI can significantly aid sustainability efforts. AI can optimize manufacturing, reduce waste, and improve supply chains in industries like fashion. However, companies must use AI responsibly to avoid increasing overproduction.

AI earns Designer of the Year award

Nirmalya Dutta suggests that artificial intelligence could earn the "Designer of the Year" award for its growing impact on design. AI has moved beyond novelty to become a powerful tool for communication, creating diagrams, explainers, and presentations. It helps by erasing the need for apprenticeships and bad drafts, allowing for immediate quality output. The author refers to AI as a "deus artifex," meaning a god who builds. Early AI models, like one trained by Krizhevsky, showed immense potential by processing millions of images quickly.

AI reveals password security weaknesses

Artificial intelligence is revealing the weaknesses of traditional password-based identity security. Joel Burleson-Davis, CTO of Imprivata, states that the rise of machine and AI identities, combined with AI-enabled attacks like deepfakes and phishing, poses a huge challenge for 2026. These advanced attacks make it easier to steal passwords or trick help desk staff into resetting them. Organizations must rethink access controls and replace old authentication methods. Solutions include adopting zero trust principles and using dynamic risk signals for access and multifactor authentication.

AI improves hospital medication safety

Dr. João Gonçalves highlights how artificial intelligence is improving medication safety in hospital pharmacies. He emphasizes that successful AI integration requires disciplined implementation and strong governance, not just scientific innovation. Medication errors should be addressed through a systems approach, focusing on design and processes rather than individual mistakes. AI can offer measurable benefits like triaging medication reconciliation, forecasting drug demand, and prioritizing verification queues. Hospital pharmacists are becoming system guardians, designing safer medication systems and overseeing AI as a clinical risk tool.

Trying out the new AI shopping cart

The author tried a new AI-powered Caper Cart at ShopRite to see if it made grocery shopping easier. These large carts have barcode scanners and a built-in scale for produce, automatically tracking purchases and suggesting coupons. Users need a ShopRite account and can import shopping lists. The cart detects unscanned items by showing a video, but also allows for personal items. While the carts are heavy and one had a loose wheel, they offer convenience by letting users check out directly.

Sources

• Nvidia, Lenovo and Samsung to Test Consumer Appetite for AI at CES
• CES to Showcase AI-Powered Robots and Smart Glasses
• CES 2026: Nvidia, Lenovo and Samsung chase AI consumer market
• AI won’t fix hospital safety on its own: What we need from human leaders | Viewpoint
• Ensuring AI Investments Deliver on Their Promise in 2026: Why Outcomes, not Algorithms, Will Define Success
• Chub AI Review (2025): What to Know About This Unfiltered Character AI
• Ghana, Japan Discuss AI and Data Science Training for Students
• Teens are having disturbing interactions with chatbots. Here's how to lower the risks
• AI’s Green Dilemma
• Random Musing: The Designer of the Year Award goes to… Artificial Intelligence | World News - The Times of India
• AI Exposes the Limits of Password-Based Identity Security
• Medication safety and artificial intelligence: hospital pharmacy highlights 2025
• So, I Tried an AI Shopping Cart