Why I Bought AI Glasses (And Ignored the Robots)

Walking through the bustling halls of CES, the overwhelming feeling wasn’t one of awe at revolutionary leaps, but a sense of déjà vu—the same core technologies as previous years, now just relentlessly infused with AI.

The conversation distilled three dominant, pervasive trends from the show floor. First was the explosion of humanoid robots, present everywhere from dedicated booths to random displays seeking attention. While their hardware and physical capabilities—walking, dancing, even boxing—are impressively mature, their practical intelligence and software lag far behind, rendering them more as fascinating prototypes than useful helpers. Second was the proliferation of AI-enabled and augmented reality glasses, with companies like X-Real demonstrating compelling use cases like converting 2D content into immersive 3D experiences. Third, autonomous vehicle technology was ubiquitous, with companies like Waymo and Zoox showcasing everything from luxury robo-taxis to functional shuttle buses, signaling a major push toward mainstream adoption.

Beyond the trade show, the discussion pivoted to significant software advancements making AI more personally useful. Tools like ChatGPT Health and Google’s Personal Intelligence represent a shift toward AI that can synthesize personal data—from medical records to photos and emails—to offer contextual, proactive assistance. This evolution towards AI as an integrated, behind-the-scenes co-pilot marks a move away from novelty and toward genuine utility, though currently at a premium cost.

Surprising Insights

• Robots Have Bodies, Not Brains: The hardware for humanoid robots is advanced—they can dance and do flips—but the AI “brain” needed for practical, helpful tasks remains a significant bottleneck, leaving them largely impractical.
• The “AI-Washing” of Everything: CES showcased a trend of slapping AI onto mundane products, from bicycles and birdhouses to toilets, often with questionable utility, highlighting a marketing rush more than a genuine innovation leap.
• Autonomous Vehicles are Here (Luxuriously): The focus isn’t just on functional self-driving cars, but on crafting a premium passenger experience, with vehicle interiors designed like first-class airline cabins or private lounges.
• AI as a Health “Spoiler”: New AI health tools are framed not as replacing doctors, but as preparing patients for appointments by analyzing their data, explaining lab results, and suggesting questions, transforming a typically passive experience.

Practical Takeaways

• Look Beyond the Hype for Useful AI: When evaluating new AI products, especially hardware, focus on the specific problem it solves rather than the “AI” label. Ask if the intelligence genuinely enhances utility or is just a marketing feature.
• Anticipate Proactive, Integrated Assistants: The next wave of AI utility will be tools that connect to your existing data streams (email, calendar, health apps) to offer context-aware help, like summarizing meetings or prepping for doctor visits.
• Test New AI Features with a Critical Eye: Many of the most powerful new AI capabilities (like file system agents or health analyzers) are currently locked behind expensive subscription tiers. Use trial periods to rigorously test if they provide enough value for their cost before committing.
• Manage Expectations for Robotics: While media showcases robots performing acrobatics, understand that practical home-assistant robots for chores like folding laundry are still in very early, slow, and unreliable stages.