Wednesday’s SuperSession, An Inside Look: Industry Innovators and Government Join Forces, featured U.S. CTO Megan Smith, White House OSTP, and Tom Kalil, deputy director for policy, White House OSTP. The panel highlighted five key factors that are making the difference and driving innovation in cities across America: the Maker Movement, TechHire, diversity, smart cities and the Presidential Innovation Fellowship (PIF) program. The presentation included representatives from Autodesk, Telegraph Education and Pinterest to explain how various OSTP initiatives are helping to create greater access to technology and other valuable resources.
Marina Martin, CTO of the Department of Veterans Affairs, also joined on stage to explain how the PIF program inspired her to leave the private sector for a greater cause. “My experience working for the federal government is that, as civil servants, they want to build a bridge,” said Martin. “I can’t make those decisions, but I have the digital service skills to build a bridge. PIF is a way to serve your country and also bring important skills back to your company.” For more information on the programs discussed during the presentation, visit wh.gov/CES2016.
CNET Editors-at-Large Brian Cooley and Tim Stevens explored the future of how we interact with machines and computers and the relationship between devices and people with a panel of linguists, artificial intelligence specialists and big-name industry experts at the Next Big Thing: Is Typing Dead Supersession. Marcus Behrendt, head of user experience, BMW Group, Wendy Ju, executive director, interaction design research, Stanford University, Dr. Pattie Maes, Professor, MIT Media Laboratory, MIT and Vlad Sejnoha, CTO, Nuance debated what’s next when it comes to human and device interaction across various use-case scenarios. The panel discussed advances in voice and gesture control, but agreed that the ultimate future for communication may lie in biometric tech where the objects around us can sense bio-feedback and respond according to mood, mental state, physical activity, etc. A future where just “being” is all you need to communicate.
The C Space Storytellers conference track explored the unique relationship between content, technology and the art of innovation. The day-long program featured executives from global brands including AOL, Facebook, GE, LinkedIn, Pandora, Salesforce and Target, as well as artist, entrepreneur and TV host Nick Canon. Topics discussed included the importance of furthering innovation through strategic partnerships; the global shift to mobile; creating and maintaining healthy brands; building consumer engagement and the future of content delivery. When discussing the new age of data, Cannon remarked, “People like to say that content is king, but now, data, or information, is king.”
CES 2016 runs today through Saturday, January 9. For the latest CES product announcements and breaking news, visit CESweb.org.
Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is “CES®.” Please do not use “Consumer Electronics Show” or “International CES” to refer to the event.
About CES:
CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for almost 50 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. And because it is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM – formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® – the technology trade association representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, it attracts the world’s business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry’s most relevant issues are addressed. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at www.CESweb.org and on social.
About Consumer Technology Association:
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, formerly Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, is the trade association representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. More than 2,200 companies – 80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are among the world’s best known brands – enjoy the benefits of CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES® – the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA’s industry services.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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CES 2016 –
Register
January 6-9, Las Vegas, NV
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Winter Break
March 21-24, Park City, UT
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Technology & Standards Spring Forum
April 4-8, San Diego, CA
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CES on the Hill
April 19, Washington, DC
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Digital Patriots Dinner
April 20, Washington, DC
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CES Asia 2016
May 11-13, Shanghai, China
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CEO Summit
June 21-24, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Innovate!
September 20-22, San Jose, CA
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CES 2017
January 5-8, Las Vegas, NV
