Post-CES AI Hardware Summit Signals a Shift from Technology Showcase to Real-World Deployment
Silicon Valley, CA — January 10, 2026
Following the conclusion of CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics exhibition, SMART LIVING · SILICON VALLEY 2026 (SLSV 2026)—an AI Hardware Summit & Expo—was successfully held on January 10, 2026, at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley.
Hosted by the US-China Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley and co-hosted by Deep Horizon Capital, the event convened government leaders, academic scholars, industry executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and engineers from North America, Asia, and Europe to examine the next stage of AI hardware and intelligent living.
With more than 2,000 cumulative participant interactions, SLSV 2026 emerged as a key post-CES platform for re-evaluating AI hardware—not as a conceptual innovation, but as a system entering real-world deployment and societal integration.
From CES to Silicon Valley: Re-Centering AI Hardware
While CES provides a global stage for unveiling emerging technologies, SLSV 2026 positioned Silicon Valley as the place where AI hardware is critically examined, contextualized, and operationalized.
In her opening remarks, Marian Chaney, President of the US-China Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, noted that the Chamber has long been committed to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises by building global connections rooted in Silicon Valley—connections that extend beyond capital and technology to encompass industry collaboration, policy dialogue, cultural understanding, and long-term trust.
Co-organizer Deep Horizon Capital highlighted its focus on investing at the intersection of AI and frontier science, supporting foundational capabilities across physical systems, materials, life sciences, and intelligent agents, while partnering with founders building the next generation of global technology companies.
Thought Leadership: AI’s Challenge Goes Beyond the Model
Sponsored by Speak About AI and invited by Deep Horizon Capital, the conference's opening fireside chat was delivered by Peter Norvig (Stanford University Education Fellow, Google Researcher, and a foundational figure in the field of Artificial Intelligence).
Drawing on decades of AI history, Peter systematically reviewed the technological evolution from symbolic intelligence and statistical learning to deep learning, putting forward a critical insight:
"As model capabilities continue to strengthen, the true challenge for AI is shifting from 'how fast it computes' to 'how it is correctly integrated into the real world'."
He pointed out that the future value of AI depends not only on computing power and parameter scale, but even more on:
- Whether it understands human behavior and social rhythms.
- Whether it respects the complexity of the real world.
- Whether it achieves reliable implementation at the hardware and system levels.
This philosophy set the tone for the entire conference: moving from "showing off technology" to "shouldering real-world responsibility."
Public Policy, Industry, and Academic Perspectives
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma delivered a keynote from a public-policy standpoint, underscoring AI hardware’s expanding role in energy, healthcare, manufacturing, supply chains, and public services. She highlighted California’s commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring fairness, accountability, and long-term public benefit.
Industry & Capital Perspective: AI at a Critical Inflection Point Between Compute and Models
Dylan Patel, Founder of SemiAnalysis, was invited to participate in a fireside discussion co-moderated by Sonya Chen, Co-founder of Deep Horizon Capital, and Nick Larson, Founder of Silicon Zombies.
The group engaged in a lively discussion covering the core issues facing the AI industry today, including the US semiconductor landscape, energy bottlenecks, and the 'battle of the Large Language Models.' They also debated the future of investment in compute power and whether model training is undergoing a significant paradigm shift.
Academic perspectives were led by Professor Scott Rozelle, Stanford University professor and Director of the China Economy and Institutions Program, who addressed AI hardware and intelligent systems from a global economic and social-structure perspective. Rozelle emphasized AI’s long-term implications for labor dynamics, industrial transformation, and global development patterns, highlighting the importance of policy alignment and international collaboration.
Scholars from Stanford and other research institutions reinforced the need for long-term thinking, workforce adaptation, and cross-border cooperation as AI hardware moves from innovation to infrastructure.
AI Healthcare: Returning Technology to the Human Scale
One of the most widely attended segments of SLSV 2026 was the AI Healthcare & Health Tech Forum, led by Dr. Jingjing Xu, Conference General Manager and Healthtech panel moderator of SLSV 2026.
The forum brought together healthcare executives, clinicians, researchers, and AI health entrepreneurs to explore how AI and wearables can move beyond data collection toward early detection, chronic disease management, and sustainable behavior change.
Speakers emphasized that the true value of AI in healthcare lies not in increasingly complex algorithms, but in reliable systems, explainable decision-making, and human-centered outcomes that bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
AI Hardware Expo: Experiencing the Future in Practice
The AI Hardware Expo provided attendees with hands-on exposure to emerging smart-living technologies, including:
- Smart homes and service robotics
- AI-powered mobility and assistive devices
- Wireless power and next-generation energy solutions
- AI wearables and health hardware
- Edge-AI and intelligent coaching systems
Exhibitors ranged from established global companies to emerging startups, demonstrating AI’s transition from laboratory innovation to everyday environments.
Art × Technology: Human Creativity in the AI Era
Complementing the technical program, SLSV 2026 featured “BEYOND SMART,” an art exhibition presented by artX Gallery in collaboration with Creative Young Arts. The exhibition showcased works by over 50 young artists from the Silicon Valley region, offering a humanistic lens on technology, creativity, and the future.
A highlight of the VIP dinner featured a performance in which robots and human dancers shared the stage, symbolizing AI’s expanding role in cultural and creative expression.
Technology × Art: A Symbolic Moment in the AI Era
During the VIP Dinner, Unitree Robotics’ humanoid robots shared the stage with human dancers, creating one of the most vivid and memorable moments of the conference.
More than a performance, the collaboration demonstrated the growing maturity of robotic motion control and intelligent systems—and symbolized a broader transition:
AI is no longer confined to laboratories or industrial applications; it is entering the realms of culture, art, and human expression.
Capital & Entrepreneurship: Rational, Long-Term, and Grounded Dialogue
SLSV 2026 featured Startup Pitch sessions and a series of investment-focused discussions, bringing together leading investors from Silicon Valley and the global tech ecosystem. Participating investors included:
- Michael Jin, Partner at Foothill Ventures
- Luke Tang, Managing Partner at G Vision Capital
- Holly Zheng, Founder & Managing Partner at EnvisionX Capital
- Along with representatives from multiple venture capital and industry-focused funds
Discussions centered on the long-term value of AI hardware, industrial and technology cycles, global deployment strategies, and sustainable growth models—offering founders a decision-making framework that goes beyond short-term hype and market noise.
A Defining Moment in Time
The significance of SMART LIVING · SILICON VALLEY 2026 (SLSV 2026) lies in a clear shift of role and purpose.
The conference demonstrated a meaningful transition:
- From AI hardware as exhibition announcements to AI hardware integrated into everyday life
- From global showcases at CES back to deep, system-level dialogue in Silicon Valley
- From isolated technological breakthroughs toward ecosystem-wide collaboration
SLSV 2026 was not merely a conference—it was a collective conversation aimed at defining the direction, pace, and responsibility of AI hardware’s future development.
Acknowledgements
The success of SLSV 2026 would not have been possible without the support of our partners and community.
We extend our sincere appreciation to:
- Sponsors & Partners:
East West Bank,
HELIX FORGE,
AMOS,
Speak About AI (https://speakabout.ai/) - Distinguished speakers and honored guests
- Exhibiting companies and startup teams
- Volunteers and organizing teams
- VIP Dinner Sponsor: Carrie Fu
As AI continues to reshape the world,
Silicon Valley is demonstrating how it truly enters human life.
SMART LIVING · SILICON VALLEY 2026
was proud to be part of this transformation.
