“ Artificial intelligence dominates Las Vegas tech show CES “

Unlocking Word Meanings

1.attendee / ə tɛnˈdi / [uh-ten-DEE ] (n.) – a person who is present at a particular event or gathering

Example: Mary was excited to be an attendee at the annual technology conference.

Additional info: A related word is participant.

2.crowd / kraʊd / [kroud ] (v.) – to gather closely together in a large group

Example: Fans are expected to crowd the concert venue.

Additional info: The word may also function as a noun (ex. a huge crowd).

3.signage / ˈsaɪ nɪdʒ / [SAHY-nij ] (n.) – a system of signs used to convey information, direction, or
advertising

Example: The shopping mall had clear and informative signage directing visitors to various stores and
facilities.

Additional info: Some examples of signage are posters, placards, and billboards.

4.showcase / ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs / [SHOH-keys ] (v.) – to display or exhibit something prominently to highlight its
features, qualities, or achievements

Example: The company decided to showcase its latest product at the trade show to attract potential
customers and generate interest in its brand.

Additional info: A related word is feature.

5.swathe / swɒð / [swoth ] (n.) – a long strip or wide area of something, often referring to a large extent
or quantity

Example: The park was covered in a swathe of colorful flowers, creating a beautiful scene.

Additional info: This word is usually followed by the preposition of.

Artificial intelligence was set to dominate the annual Las Vegas technology show CES, with more than
130,000 attendees expected to crowd convention center halls when doors opened on January 9.

CES – formerly the Consumer Electronics Show – is held annually in Las Vegas every January. And just
days before the Las Vegas Convention Center doors opened on January 9, workers were busily preparing
booths, signage and more, for what’s billed as one of the biggest technology shows in the world.

Erica Johnson from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) says more than 130,000
attendees were expected to crowd over two million square feet of meeting space.

“CES is the most important technology trade show in the world, and CES is also really significant to the
Las Vegas convention industry as well. And that’s in both size of the footprint of the show and how much
space it comprises, but also the number of attendees that it draws,” she says.

Organizers, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), said almost 118,000 people attended last year’s
gathering. But that was while lingering pandemic restrictions prevented some visitors attending,
particularly from Asia.

After a 2023 dominated by artificial intelligence chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, AI is expected to be a
top CES trend, with machine learning headed to a wide array of consumer electronics, from lighting to
cooking grills.

“This is going to be the CES of artificial intelligence, whatever that means,” says technology expert and
analyst Andrea Nepori. “Because we’ve seen that artificial intelligence, especially with generative
artificial intelligence in 2023, was like every headline. And now this year, we’re going to see how
companies are going to – let me use the term – milk that cow.”

Elsewhere, Japanese automaker Honda is expected to unveil new electric vehicles, and Supernal – part
of Hyundai Motor Group – is expected to showcase a flying taxi. There was also the usual swathe of new
TVs, robots and other gadgets.
LOTS Questions

1. What was artificial intelligence set to do?

Ans: Dominate the annual Las Vegas technology show CES.

2. According to Erica Johnson, what is the most important technology trade show in the world?

Ans: CES.

3. What is Japanese automaker Honda expected to unveil?

Ans: New electric vehicles.

HOTS Questions

Discussion A

In your opinion, is the dominance of artificial intelligence at events like CES a positive trend, or do you
have concerns about its potential impact on society? Why? Discuss.

130,000 attendees were expected to participate in the CES this year. Why do you think a lot of people
are interested in events like this? If this were held in your country, do you think there would also be a
high level of participation? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

Why do you think AI was a major topic in headlines in 2023? Is this also true in your country? Discuss.

Andrea Nepori said that this year, we’re going to see how companies are going to “milk that cow.” What
do you think he means by this? How do you think tech companies can do this? Discuss.