A visitor watches an AI sign on an animated screen at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2023. (PHOTO: VCG)

By YAO Yilu

In recent years, AI has flourished in the consumable electronic product market, being used in everything from smartphones and smart homes, to intelligent robots, and intelligent cars. AI has become the catalyst for innovation in the consumable electronics industry, and has led to the industry's rallying cry of "All in AI."

The widespread growth of consumer electronics can be attributed to several key factors.

Advancements in AI technology have led to the development of more sophisticated and capable products such as smartphones, smart home devices, wearables, and entertainment systems. These products are now more intuitive, efficient, and personalized thanks to AI.

Moreover, the increasing availability of data and big data analytics has enabled companies to harness AI for consumer insights, product optimization, and targeted marketing. This has resulted in the creation of more tailored and appealing electronic products based on a better understanding of consumer behavior and preferences.

In the meanwhile, the growing demand for automation and smart solutions has driven the integration of AI into consumer electronics through virtual assistants that offer hands-free control over devices, as well as access to a wide range of services.

However, powerful as it may be, AI technology is not a panacea for modern life. Its current strengths lie primarily in specific areas such as data analysis, speech recognition, and natural language processing. For hardware products, AI can enhance their intelligence, but cannot completely replace their inherent functionality.

Currently, many home appliance manufacturers have incorporated traditional products such as refrigerators and washing machines into their AI innovations.

However, consumers have shown a lack of enthusiasm towards these products. AI should not be merely a fancy feature in consumable electronics or an excuse to increase prices arbitrarily.

Its true value lies in its ability to enhance product functionality and performance, while providing a better user experience. If the actual needs of users and practicality are ignored, and AI is added solely as window-dressing, then such products will struggle to gain market recognition or user loyalty,

Promoting innovative development within the consumable electronic industry through AI is undoubtedly a general trend. In essence, when AI is seamlessly integrated into physical products without the hype and strategic approach to pricing, it not only benefits the business but also cultivates a landscape where appreciation for AI products prevails over skepticism, creating a win-win scenario for both enterprises and consumers.