To commence this year’s CES, media group ShowStoppers, in association with the Japanese trade group JETRO, presented a platform for 10 start-ups to offer a pitch to an intrigued audience of media and possible investors. The cherry-picked startups, rather than focusing on the widely anticipated General Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) narrative, directed their attention towards practical, old-school problem-solving according to Stephen Embry of Above the Law.
Contrary to expectations, the companies largely avoided discussing Gen AI or promoting products that extensively used the technology. This was unexpected in an environment known for its hype around Gen AI, particularly in the legal industry. Out of the 10 startups, only one mentioned Gen AI in their pitch while the others presented unique technological solutions for specific issues.
- A platform for measuring and monitoring carbon emissions, targeting goals of carbon neutrality.
- A compact robotic solution to address labor shortages in the food packaging industry.
- An advanced holographic communication platform to enhance virtual interactions.
- An innovative vacuum packaging product aimed at prolonging food shelf life and combating waste.
- Music designed specifically for dogs to alleviate their stress and separation anxiety.
- A speaker designed to assist seniors in better hearing dialogue and spoken word.
- A multifaceted robot capable of cooking food and cleaning utensils in response to labour shortages in restaurants.
- Ultra-thin, fire-safe insulation offering easier installation with superior performance.
- Automatically focusing glasses to accommodate changing vision issues over time.
Embry found the Gen AI pitch to be more akin to legal tech pitches over the past year, utilizing Gen AI mostly as a buzzword rather than offering an innovative solution to a tangible problem. He argued that the over-emphasis on Gen AI in legal technology has led to the market being inundated with unnecessary products and capabilities that under-deliver on the grand promises.
Embry urged legal tech vendors to follow the example set by these start-ups — understanding the problems at hand and then exploring how Gen AI could address them, rather than beginning with Gen AI and trying to sway it towards a solution. He underscored that technology’s primary function should be to solve real-world issues with practical solutions, rather than chasing the latest buzzwords. According to Embry, the presenters got that concept right, reminding us that there is still much room for addressing real needs with solutions that simplify life.