Running out of gift ideas and need a little inspiration? The TWIML team has you covered! We put together a 2021 Holiday Gift Guide featuring some of our favorite new AI products. This is just a small sampling of some of the nifty gadgets and services that caught our attention this holiday season. This year, we wanted to include options for different budgets and different ages, for whoever needs a present in your life!
AI 2041 (from $14 on Amazon)
AI 2041 is a collection of 10 science fiction stories that demonstrate how AI could shape life in places around the world twenty years from now. Written by Kai-Fu Li, former president of Google China, and novelist Chen Qiufan, AI 2041 is celebrated as both entertaining, and well-informed (a rare balance for AI media). A great gift for a technologist, futurist, or science fiction lover. Kai-Fu was also on the podcast to discuss the book a little while back — you can also check out that conversation here!
CoderMindz board game (from $36.94 on Amazon)
CoderMindz teaches the building blocks of artificial intelligence via a board game that’s a fun activity for the whole family! Created by Samaira Mehta, who also created CoderBunnyz to introduce kids to coding concepts via games. One of the things players liked about the game was that it could be easily altered for various levels of difficulty. A great way to introduce young minds to AI!
DJI Air 2S (from $999)
What’s an AI gift list without a drone? The DJI Air 2S is an improved version of last year’s choice, the Mavic Air 2. Featuring improved algorithms for Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS 4.0), the DJI Air 2S can actively avoid obstacles in more complex scenarios and at higher speeds. The new version boasts incredibly crisp imagery, low light visibility, and a new “MasterShots” feature which automatically maneuvers around a subject for ten best shots. This is a fantastic gift for a budding cinematographer!
Carbon Trainer (from $1,974)
Carbon Trainer bills itself as the first at-home AI-powered 3D motion tracking fitness mirror that delivers the same level of tracking and results as you would expect with a personal trainer. For anyone into fitness and AI, this mirror allows your home gym to become a real gym, with a trainer who gives you personalized feedback. While the price tag is steep, it equates to about a yearly gym membership with weekly personal training classes.
Bonus idea:
Bird Feeder (pre-order)
While we loved the idea of being able to view and record the different birds that came to a bird feeder, we didn’t want to formally espouse a product that hadn’t been launched yet. If you’re feeling anxious, you can find clones of this product on Amazon right now. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try building one yourself using the instructions here.
