LG chief executive William Cho says his company is trying to harvest more user information to improve AI. — Photo: LG/dpa
LAS VEGAS: Electronics giant LG says it wants to utilise data from hundreds of millions of household devices to make AI-based software more useful.
While AI programs are often optimised with data from the internet, LG believes it has the "unique opportunity" to use real-time information from everyday life, chief executive William Cho said ahead of the launch of the CES tech fair in Las Vegas (January 9-12).
However Cho said this would "of course" only happen with the express consent of the user. Personal data is to be processed directly on devices in households and given special protection, LG says.
Cho said that it would be possible to draw conclusions about behavioural patterns and the mood of people from their interactions with various technology in the home, for example through their tone of voice and facial expressions.
This kind of data, harvested on a large scale, would give LG a better understanding of what users need and want, the company believes. LG says it would meanwhile open up its smart home platform to other providers in order to offer users all-round support.
LG also wants to use AI chatbots like ChatGPT for more natural interaction with people. For example, a cooker could then give instructions in complete sentences instead of communicating in brief notifications.
LG, like Samsung, used CES to demo a small robot that can autonomously move around your home and offer practical functions.
The so-called AI Agent is equipped with cameras and other sensors and can explore the household and communicate with anyone at home.
LG says it can bring you your medication in the morning, greet people at the front door when they come home and call emergency services if necessary.
Samsung's new home robot in contrast has a projector with which it can display videos and other content on walls or the ceiling. The so-called Ballie robot can also keep pets occupied with projections on the floor.
LG also announced that it plans to extend its connected AI system to cars. One example: If children fall asleep in the back seat, the software would suggest switching off their screens and turning down any music that may be playing. – dpa
