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TV Makers Tout AI Upgrades at CES, as Smartphone Threat Looms

Attendees view the Samsung Micro RGB 130-inch TV after it was unveiled during the Samsung Electronics First Look event ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
Attendees view the Samsung Micro RGB 130-inch TV after it was unveiled during the Samsung Electronics First Look event ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
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TV Makers Tout AI Upgrades at CES, as Smartphone Threat Looms

Attendees view the Samsung Micro RGB 130-inch TV after it was unveiled during the Samsung Electronics First Look event ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
Attendees view the Samsung Micro RGB 130-inch TV after it was unveiled during the Samsung Electronics First Look event ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 4, 2026. (AFP)

A century after Scottish inventor John Logie Baird demonstrated the first mechanical television system, TVs face mounting competition from a much more recent invention: smartphones.

But with a suite of new models boasting massive screens, richer imagery and artificial intelligence enhancements -- on display this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas -- manufacturers don't plan on TVs being relegated to the dustbin of history.

The proportion of daily viewing on TV sets declined from 61 percent at the start of 2017 to 48 percent late last year, according to market tracker Ampere Analysis. Smartphone viewing, meanwhile, nearly doubled over that same period to 21 percent.

"This is the battle between big screens, which are traditionally for older people who grew up around televisions, and younger people who have either a phone, tablet, or laptop on which they're doing their consumption," said Patrick Horner, leader of TV research at Omdia.

He said that in China, seen as a trendsetter in the global market, young consumers are shunning large-screen televisions in favor of smartphones or tablets.

Around the world, television ownership is constant or declining, with average selling prices also holding steady or dropping, according to Horner.

One way for TV makers to protect or increase revenue when unit sales don't rise is to get people to buy ever larger and smarter screens, at a higher price.

- TVs get personal -

Those massive screens once again starred at CES, with producers touting AI to personalize experiences and sharpen picture quality.

Also in the spotlight was "Micro RGB" technology that dramatically ramps up picture quality using ultra-precise control of colors in LED displays.

Samsung Electronics, the top TV seller for 20 consecutive years, unveiled what it billed as the world's first 130-inch Micro RGB TV and spoke of packing AI into its products.

"We will embed AI across every area, every product, and every service," Samsung device experience division chief executive TM Roh said during a media event.

Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony, and TCL were also at CES.

AI is being used to improve picture and sound quality, as well as help people find shows they want or ask questions about what they're seeing.

"I am really curious to see if most brands at CES can actually prove their new AI devices live up to their claims," said Forrester principal analyst Thomas Husson.

- Amazon vs Walmart -

Behind the scenes, e-commerce titans Amazon and Walmart are shaping the future of television as they vie for dominance -- not in selling TVs, but in advertising and e-commerce.

"This is really a knockdown, drag-out fight between Amazon.com and Walmart," Horner told AFP.

Walmart closed a $2.3 billion deal to buy TV maker Vizio in late 2024, as a strategic response to Amazon boosting sales through advertising on its Fire smart TVs and devices, often through its Prime Video streaming service.

"Amazon was putting advertisements on television programming for things that Amazon sold," Horner said. "So now Walmart is going to be putting advertisements on your television for things that Walmart sells."

And the profit margin on selling ads dwarfs the markup on selling TV hardware.

Walmart is expected to sell more than a million of its "Onn" brand TVs monthly and use an operating system it acquired with Vizio to pump advertising to viewers.

"Televisions are no longer about making profit from TV hardware," Horner said. "They're an ad delivery device being inserted into your living room to boost e-commerce sales."

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Technology

ByteDance Reportedly Suspends Launch of Video AI Model after Copyright Disputes

FILE PHOTO: The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office building in Shanghai, China July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office building in Shanghai, China July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
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ByteDance Reportedly Suspends Launch of Video AI Model after Copyright Disputes

FILE PHOTO: The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office building in Shanghai, China July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office building in Shanghai, China July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

TikTok's Chinese parent, ByteDance, has put on hold the global launch of its latest video-generation model, Seedance 2.0, after a series of copyright disputes with major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms, The Information reported on Saturday, citing two people with direct knowledge of the situation.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ByteDance said last month it would take steps to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property on its AI video generator Seedance 2.0, ⁠following threats of ⁠legal action from US studios, including Disney.

Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Chinese firm last month, accusing it of using Disney characters to train and power Seedance 2.0 without permission, after videos generated by the model went viral in China, including one of Tom Cruise ⁠and Brad Pitt in a fight.

Disney said ByteDance had pre-packaged Seedance with a pirated library of copyrighted characters from franchises including Star Wars and Marvel, portraying them as public-domain clip art. ByteDance, which officially unveiled the model in February, has said the system is aimed at professional film, e-commerce and advertising use, highlighting its ability to process text, images, audio and video at once to reduce content production costs.

Seedance 2.0 has drawn attention after earning comparisons with DeepSeek, a ⁠Chinese AI ⁠company that has built models rivaling those of Anthropic and OpenAI. Tech executives, including Elon Musk, have praised its ability to generate cinematic storylines from a handful of prompts.

ByteDance had been aiming to make the new video model available to customers worldwide in mid-March, but the company has since suspended those plans, The Information report said.

ByteDance's legal team is working to identify and resolve potential legal issues and engineers are adding safeguards to prevent the model from generating content that could lead to further intellectual property violations, the report added.

Technology

Fake Images, Videos in Wartime: How to Tell Fact from Deepfakes

Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media during crises and conflicts (Shutterstock)
Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media during crises and conflicts (Shutterstock)
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Fake Images, Videos in Wartime: How to Tell Fact from Deepfakes

Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media during crises and conflicts (Shutterstock)
Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media during crises and conflicts (Shutterstock)

As tensions escalate across several fronts in the Middle East, information is spreading almost as quickly as the events themselves.

Social media platforms are often the first place where images, videos, and reports of alleged attacks or military developments appear.

But alongside legitimate information, a wave of misleading or fabricated content is also circulating online, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction.

A Growing Digital Challenge

Cybersecurity experts warn that the rapid spread of misinformation, particularly through manipulated videos and deepfake technologies, has become a growing digital threat during periods of geopolitical instability.

Maher Yamout, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky, told Asharq Al-Awsat that distinguishing reliable information from false narratives becomes especially critical during emergencies, when emotions run high, and people tend to share content quickly without verifying it.

“With developments unfolding in the Middle East, government authorities in Gulf Cooperation Council countries have warned against publishing or circulating information from unknown sources,” he said.

“Fake news, misleading or inaccurate information presented as real news, becomes more dangerous during emergencies.”

Misinformation Spreads Fast

Fake news is not new, but its scale and speed have changed dramatically with the rise of social media and artificial intelligence tools. During periods of geopolitical tension, unverified reports or manipulated videos can spread within minutes, reaching millions before fact-checkers can respond.

Experts generally divide fake news into two main categories. The first involves fully fabricated content designed to influence public opinion or attract traffic to specific websites. The second contains elements of truth but presents them inaccurately because the author failed to verify all the facts or exaggerated certain details.

Both can confuse audiences during crises, particularly when users rely on social media rather than trusted news outlets for updates.

Authorities in several countries have also warned that sharing inaccurate information, even unintentionally, may expose users to legal accountability.

Governments and digital security experts are therefore urging greater digital awareness and responsibility when sharing information during sensitive periods.

AI-Powered Deception

Artificial intelligence has added a new layer to the misinformation problem through so-called deepfake technologies, fabricated videos created using machine learning techniques such as face swapping or synthetic visual generation.

In some cases, authentic footage can be altered to appear as if it documents events that never occurred.

Yamout said verifying information has become more important than ever with the spread of deepfakes.

“Artificial intelligence makes it possible to combine different video clips to produce new scenes showing events or actions that never happened in reality, often with highly realistic results,” he said.

Such technology can make manipulated videos appear convincing and potentially mislead users, especially when they circulate in emotionally charged contexts. Edited clips may appear to show attacks, military movements, or political statements that never took place.

Even when these videos are later debunked, their initial spread can still trigger confusion or public anxiety.

How to Verify Information

Cybersecurity experts say users themselves play a key role in limiting the spread of misinformation. While platforms and regulators are developing tools to detect fake content, individuals can take simple steps to verify information before sharing it.

The first step is checking the source. Websites that publish false information may contain spelling errors in their web addresses or use unusual domains that mimic well-known media outlets.

Yamout advises carefully reviewing the website address and checking the “About Us” section on unfamiliar sites. It is generally safer to rely on official sources such as government websites or trusted media organizations.

Users should also verify the identity of the author or the organization behind the report. If the author is unknown or lacks clear expertise in the subject, the information should be treated cautiously.

Comparing reports with other credible sources is also important. Professional news organizations follow editorial guidelines and verification procedures, meaning major events are typically reported by multiple reputable outlets.

Yamout also highlighted the importance of checking dates and timelines, noting that some misleading content recirculates old events and presents them as recent developments.

He added that social media algorithms can create so-called “echo chambers,” where users are shown content that aligns with their existing views and interests. This makes it essential to consult diverse and reliable sources before forming conclusions.

Playing on Emotions

Many fake news stories are designed to provoke strong emotional reactions. Sensational headlines or dramatic clips are often crafted to trigger fear, anger, or shock, emotions that increase the likelihood that users will quickly share the content.

“Many fake news stories are written in a clever way to provoke strong emotional reactions,” Yamout said.

Maintaining critical thinking and asking a simple question — why was this story written? — can help users avoid spreading misinformation, he added.

This dynamic is amplified on social media platforms, where algorithms tend to promote content that generates strong engagement. Emotionally charged posts can therefore spread faster than balanced reporting.

Spotting Signs of Manipulation

Images and videos themselves may provide clues that they have been altered. Edited photos may display distorted background lines, unnatural shadows, or unrealistic skin tones.

In manipulated videos, inconsistencies may appear in lighting, eye movement, or facial expressions. While these signs are not always easy to detect, particularly on smartphones, they can raise doubts about the authenticity of widely shared clips.

A Shared Digital Responsibility

Experts say limiting the spread of misinformation during crises requires cooperation among governments, technology companies, media organizations, and users.

Yamout said the simplest rule may also be the most effective: “If you are not sure the content is accurate, do not share it.”

Responsible sharing can help curb the spread of misinformation and protect digital communities.

As digital platforms continue to shape how information travels across borders, the ability to critically evaluate online content is becoming an essential skill.

During periods of geopolitical tension and conflict, when rumors and facts can blur, the challenge is not only cybersecurity but also protecting the credibility of information itself.

Technology

Adobe Shares Drop after CEO Exit Adds to AI-disruption Concerns

FILE PHOTO: Signage for Adobe is displayed at National Retail Federation (NRF) 2026: Retail's Big Show, in New York City, US, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Signage for Adobe is displayed at National Retail Federation (NRF) 2026: Retail's Big Show, in New York City, US, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo
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Adobe Shares Drop after CEO Exit Adds to AI-disruption Concerns

FILE PHOTO: Signage for Adobe is displayed at National Retail Federation (NRF) 2026: Retail's Big Show, in New York City, US, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Signage for Adobe is displayed at National Retail Federation (NRF) 2026: Retail's Big Show, in New York City, US, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo

Adobe's shares plunged 9% in premarket trading on Friday after the Photoshop maker said CEO Shantanu Narayen would step down after 18 years at the helm, unsettling investors already wary of AI-driven disruptions to the design software market.

The longtime CEO's exit comes at a critical juncture as Adobe works to reassure investors it can keep pace with sweeping changes brought by artificial intelligence in the software landscape.

It follows a broader slide in software stocks after fears that ⁠AI agents could ⁠supplant some traditional applications that led to a nearly $1 trillion rout in software stocks globally last month.

"The loss of an iconic leader at a time of peak uncertainty around the future of software more broadly, and the positioning of Adobe ⁠specifically in this new GenAI world is bound to further investor uncertainty and anxiety around the shares," said analysts at Morgan Stanley.

Adobe's shares are down about 23% so far this year, extending a slide that has stretched over the past two years.

The company, which makes Illustrator, Premiere Pro and other tools for creative professionals, is among a group of SaaS providers including Salesforce that have ⁠struggled to win ⁠new clients amid a wave of AI start-ups.

On Thursday, Adobe reported double-digit growth in total revenue and customer subscription segments in the first quarter, reflecting resilient spending on its product suite.

"After steering the Adobe ship through rough seas over the past several years, several data points from the most recent quarter suggest the captain (Narayen) may have brought this franchise into a safe harbor, from which it can continue to thrive," Morgan Stanley analysts said.