January 8, 2025 • 28 mins
Join Paul Amadeus Lane live from the West Hall for a Day 1 recap and a look ahead at Day 2 of CES 2025! In this episode of The Tech Zone, Paul interviews CES spokesperson Allie Fried to get her expert perspective on the biggest highlights from Day 1 and what exciting things are in store for Day 2. They'll discuss the hottest trends, biggest surprises, and must-see exhibits. Plus, Allie will share some of her favorite CES memories from past years. Tune in for a lively discussion on all things CES!
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Speaker 1 (00:20):
In this world of technology, things are ever changing, rearranging.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You need someone to help you out. I know someone
who can come and take a journey with me. As
we go through the land of technology. You'll never be alone.
You'll be with Pall. I'm a dance laying in the
text zone.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Take a little trip with me and hopefully you can
see how the hood, suburbs and main street are all connected,
no respective. I mean we networked across the globe because
it's the global market in case, shoot it and know.
And since we all about information flow, let me be
the first. Want to welcome you to Tech Zone with
(01:02):
Paul Alma day Slane. Let's talk tech because technology changing
the game. It's so good in the hood, it's everywhere.
Now let's get into the show because we lovon heh yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yes, welcome, Welcome, Welcome to the Tech Zone. What is up?
But it's me Paul Amadae its Lane.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
I am so delight to have you on our show today,
day two. Here at CES twenty twenty five. We have
seen some amazing innovation since Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and
now we're on Wednesday, and it's been an amazing ride.
I've kind of shared this on social media. I've been
(01:39):
a part of a panel that happened yesterday. It was
pretty awesome. But one of the most highlights of my
time here at ES is checking in with my friends
from the Consumer Technology Association CES spokesperson explored there, Ali Fried, Ali,
what's up?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
How are you, my dear.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
I'm so happy to be here. You know, this is
literally my favorite spot of CS every year, and I
was thinking back on my walk over here that my
very first show was CES twenty seven, two thousand and seven,
and it was the fortieth anniversary of the show. I
was just out of college. It was my first job.
(02:20):
And Pam Golden, who you know well in the broadcast tower,
says Ali, You've got an interview with Paul Lane. It's
gonna be great. And I got so nervous. I was like,
oh my gosh. And anyways, you I just I remember
it so vividly. It was you made me feel so
warm and welcome, and we had such a great interview.
And now here we are, almost twenty years later, together again.
(02:41):
But it's been an annual thing. So I love checking
in with you, and I just want you to know
they do are always always a show highlight for me.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
You know what, Ali, I can't believe it's been that long.
You haven't aged a bit. And y'all y'all watching this. Wow,
y'all watching this now? Ali got three kids? Look how fine?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
She said?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Oh ch so all, I'm saying, Ali, Ali as like
fine wine, not no bull farms or strawberry heel or
our thunderbird. She find why I like some kant out there.
You know what, Ali, it is so amazing to see
how much you have grown over over that time as
(03:20):
a professional, you know, as a as a as a
founder of a of an amazing uh media company and
the things that you're doing. So so I I, you know,
I follow your career all the time. And you and
I we we even talk outside of thees and some
amazing things out there and in.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Ali, what what has it been for you?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
What has it been like for you now at this yes,
twenty twenty five, many years you've been covering it, you
have been here so so so tell us some of
your your other memories of this year and how it
compared to last.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Yeah, I think I think that the thing that stands
out the most to me. Again, like like you said,
it's it's the people that are here, right, We've got
people from a hunt and fifty different countries. That feels
like a reunion. You get to see everybody here and
then walking the show floor with the people that you've
connected with and you've loved. We are in West Hall
here walking around, which is the transportation and mobility area.
(04:15):
This is hands down one of my favorite halls, which
did not exist when I first started coming. This is
a brand new hall as of three years ago. It's
so beautiful that everything is state of the art, and
we are seeing the latest of not what's happening in
mobility necessarily on the roads, we're seeing what's happening in
the skies. We're seeing what's happening in trash trucks. Did
(04:38):
you see there's a trash truck and fire? What a
huge fire truck over there? And I guess I would
say it's the AI component of all of that. We're
seeing AI work its way into everything in this hall,
in North Hall, in Central Hall, in south Over, at
the Venetian. It's just everywhere, and so I think that's
(04:59):
kind of the biggest change. You know, over the years,
the show has involved completely but we're seeing you know,
every company is a technology company today. I would not
have thought that I would see John Deere here, you know,
even two years ago, but they're here with their agriculture
tech and it's using AI to test the soil, see
when conditions are most optimal, to do planting, to alert
(05:21):
when there's droughts coming, to automatically release water. It's just
it's incredible learning. You know, where we can plant crops
and how we can plant crops in places that have
been previously desolate and unable to grow food. So you know,
the sustainability story, how we can bring basic needs to
people all around the globe through technology.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yeah, it really blows my mind when I see how
far we've come.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Ali.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I remember when they were building this hall, when we
were broadcasting at the North Hall over there, and I
remember when this hall was built. They're like, hey, Paul,
you're going to be in the new West Hall. I
was like, well, I get it has to be in
as all. So it's amazing. It's beautiful and just to
see how much it's grown over the years, it's truly
a testament to just a hard work that the Consumer
(06:11):
Technology Association does and their partners to make to make
this happen. And only one thing I really love about
about c Yes, it is the people.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
Yes, Oh my god.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
And it's kind of like we're stuck in the twilight Zone.
But but it's a it's a good episode in the
twilight Zone.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It's not the episode of the Twilight.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Zone where where we're little Anthony will come and kind
of wish you to the cornfield.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
No, yeah, it'd be a good but And and it's
like if ones can.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Take what we have here and put this out in
the world, I think things will be a lot better.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Absolutely. I think that is like one of the biggest
things to touch on and think about. It's the connectivity
piece and that technology is bringing us all together. And
like I said, we've got one hundred and fifty different
countries represented, and the world can feel a little scary
or unstable right now, but you come here and everyone
(07:07):
is focused on how we can use tech for good,
how we can use technology to come together, and you
realize that we all have so much more in common
than we have not in common. And I think that
it's just a beautiful week to kind of get away
from the craziness of the world that we're all living.
In and realize that you know, we're all in this together.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
That is so true.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Now, Ali, we know yesterday was day one, yes what
were some of the highlights that kind of took the
tech world by storm? And everybody's been talking about it
even today here on day two.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Okay, so there were two really big keynotes yesterday. On
day one, we had Panasonic do the opening keynote and
then Delta do the evening keynote. The Delta keynote was
over at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which I don't know.
Have you been there? Have you had a chance to
check it out?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
No, it hasn't been.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
It is the most incredible immersive, completely screen immersive experience.
And Delta was over there talking about what the future
of flight looks like. They announced some very incredible partnerships
with YouTube. Tom Brady was there looking all good. But
in their world, in their vision is you know you've
(08:23):
got your flight. Everything through Delta connected systems is there
for you. So the uber that is alerted because they
know in your flight is knows when to pick you up.
The car is coming to your house, it's picking you up,
it's taking you to the airport. All check in is
a completely seamless system. The days of bag you know,
(08:44):
tickets and standing in line are all gone because it's
all going to be scanning us as we walk in
through the airports. And then again, I can't even tell
you how many bags I have had lost, not by Delta,
other unnamed airlines. But they've got plans solutions for how
AI can help really reduce luggage loss and make sure
(09:05):
that it is tracked and findable and so that we
aren't without are good. Then they're doing this all through
these partnerships. They also announced a partnership with YouTube for some
exclusive content coming in so, you know crazy. Another example,
if I told you even three years ago, are we
going to have a major national airline keynoting ces at
(09:26):
the most technically advanced venue in the world, probably want
to believe me, But it was. It was a pretty
pretty remarkable experience last night.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
You know, it kind of reminds me of I want
to say, a little over a little under a decade ago,
we all.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Came here to CEES and we were in the.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Trends talk that that happens every year, and it is
our good friend Sean Duprevac, And I remember Sean was
over in a corner and instead of saying CEA or
over there, the sign that just says CTA, and I
was like, what in the world is going on here?
That's what Sean got up and talked throughout the new rebrand,
how it went from the Consumer Electronic Association to the
(10:11):
Consumer Technology Association, and really just talking about how every industry,
like Delta, like Others, Laurel, all these different companies now
they have a technology component, either a CTO, a technology
advisory board, something there that's putting technology into every industry
(10:34):
out there in Ali. That is incredible that every industry
now uses some type of technology.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
It's wild. And yes, I remember that name change and
that logo switch vividly. But Geary was very, very intentional
about it, and it was like, you know, the mindset
needs to shift. It's not just electronics, which that is
still a big major part of the show. Of Course
we've got phones, of course, we've got you know, TV screens,
but it's technology, and that technology is not necessarily always
(11:03):
going to be electronic. And so Gary wanted to get
ahead of the curve in that rebrand. And I think
another kind of really important piece of that narrative is
you know, we're at CES incredible show happens once a year,
but it's produced by the Consumer Technology Association, which is
a nonprofit association that represents more than two thousand of
(11:25):
its member companies, and its member companies now include companies
like Uber, Airbnb, Loureal. Again to your point, and you know,
the Association works year round to make sure that we
have an environment where that's business friendly, that's innovation friendly,
where these companies can really make sure that they are
(11:47):
able to put their creative energies into the best use
cases to launch products that you and I can use
to help make our everyday lives easier, better, seamless, more enjoyable,
and get us connected to the people that we love.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, I've always enjoyed talking with with Gary Shapiro, CEO
of the CTA and now with Kinsey Fabrizio now now
being president.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
That happened right after CEES twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Four, right, and to see that happen, I remember when
Kinsey first started here at the CTA and to see
where she has grown now to this leadership role.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I mean, al you've seen it first hand too.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
It's amazing, it's amazing, and you know, CTA. You know,
this is like a family like we It's just it's
so family connected. So yeah, Kinsey started the year after
I did. That was kind of mid to late two thousands.
I think she was two thousand and eight, and she
was a manager in our membership department and so she
(12:52):
got to know every single CTA member what they needed,
where the gaps in the industry were. And then yeah,
to see her, almost twenty years later take over the presidency.
Gary is still on as CEO, but she's got a vision.
She is so open to new ideas and exploring an expansion.
(13:14):
And when I saw her on the keynote stage before
Panasonic yesterday, it's, you know, my heart just yes, well,
you know, you just we take so much joy in
the accomplishments of others, and yeah, Kensye is a fantastic
example of that.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, as boss Lady R I did however, that right,
you know, and I couldn't you know, I would be
you know, I would be negligent if I didn't mention
what I mentioned. Gary Shapiro his amazing beautiful wife. Now,
I mean, yes, Mal is awesome. She's a renowned medical
(13:48):
doctor who does some amazing things and something tells me
a lot of the success we see with Gary is
because of malt. I had an opportunity to meet her
last year when I was a him seeing the Eureka
Park Pitch competition and she was one of one of
the judges and she she came over and we talked
and everything, and I was.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Like, you're Gary's wife, aren't you. So so she's amazing.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I mean, talk about a power couple, right, We've got
Gary who has been ahead of the association for decades.
And then yeah, she is a world renowned retina surgeon
and digital health is a massive area of focus and
she actually has been yeah, very influential and kind of
talking about the needs of patients when vision problem, you know,
how can we step into help solve some of these challenges.
(14:35):
She has great ideas. It's so fun to hear her
talk and they are just absolutely adorable together.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Yeah, and some of it tells me that that Gary's
Gary kind of spoils her.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Does he Paul.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Every year? And this is probably this happens on their
other tips, But every year Gary flies out a little
bit ahead of her because she usually has to stay
back at her practice do some surgery. He flies out
with her luggage, which and she is always dressed to
the absolutely she is right. He flies out with her
(15:09):
luggage and then he hangs up all of her outfits,
puts everything away, toiletries are out, so that when she
gets into town, everything is done and she just has
to like get ready to accompany him. To the keynote,
it's they're adorable together, and yes, he spoils his lady.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Gary, if you're listening, it is, I'm gonna revoke your
man car because you don't put all of us on notice, Gary,
all of our wives are gonna be like, hey, are
you going to do this for me?
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Very hot?
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Yeah? Thank you Gary.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Thanks for setting the bar not only in technology, but
even when it comes to me and a husband.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Thank you, Gary.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
No one's unpacking my luggage, you know. I'm just gonna say.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
That I love it. Ali said, that's my that's my
personal space I'm gonna do. I'm gonna do myself.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Well. Well, ally, here we are.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Day two, So what some things that we should be
aware of on day two of CES?
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Day two of CES? Where do I start? Okay? I
think day two for me personally, I have not been
over to Eureka Park yet, and so that is an
area that I want to make sure that we get
over that I get over to and anyone listening watching,
if you are at the show, you cannot be here
without going over there. We've got more than fourteen hundred
(16:26):
startups and it is by far my favorite place on
the show floor. You know, I think a lot of
the news covered ucfcs. It's always the huge booths in
Central Hall. It's the flashy cars, it's the autonomous race cars.
Those will all be here, those will all be incredible.
But when you go over to Rica Park, it has
just a little bit different of a feeling because it
is literally mom and pop shops, university students who are
(16:52):
coming to cees to have their chance to make a
difference in this world. And it's just the feeling you
get over there. I love it. I love talking to people.
The energy is the next level. So my day too
will personally be over at Eureka Park, and if I
don't make it over there, I'm going to be very
upset with myself.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
You know.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
And Eureka Park really warms my heart too.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I remember right when the war started in Ukraine, and
I remember the Ukrainian delegation was here at SCEs.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
And I was like, wow, this is like, this is
real life right here.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
It is, you know, because sometimes we can be in
a bubble here at CES because we have so much
fluns you and all this innovation. But there's real life
that happens. Happened, and it was really good. And some
of the different countries that are represented.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Yeah, I think there's over seventy five different countries represented
in Eureka Park, and you know, we're now seeing countries
pull pull full pavilions. I feel like that is a
real legitary cluster full pavilions together where yeah, the government
is scouting or their technology sectors are scouting the top
(18:00):
startup innovation in the country and then bringing it over
and it's a pride point, right, It's like, yes, this
is the best of Ukraine, this is the best of Jamaica,
this is the best of the best in in over
seventy five countries that are over there. So yeah, it
is incredible, it really is.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
And Ali as we uh, look at where we're at
when it comes to tech, and and and Brian and
Melissa then they kind of talked about this at their
opening keynote, not keynote.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
But the but the talk.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
The trends, Yeah, trends.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
And there even though we having a lot of fun here,
but there's kind of like an undercurrent of maybe some anxiety,
especially with tech and possible possible tariffs. Are is that
affecting ones here? Are Are they kind of uncertain? Are
you know? The optimism that we feel is it is? It?
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Is? It?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
Is?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
It starting to Its starting to to to seem like
some we may happen with all this momentum that we have, Yeah,
it may start to be tailed back just a little bit.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Are you starting to feel that here with some You know.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
Those conversations are definitely happening, they're definitely taking place. Gary
put out a statement earlier, you know, talking about and
this has been you know, the stance all along CTA
is pro business, pro innovation, and at the end of
the day, tariffs are taxes, and it's a tax that
the consumer feels. And so we're gonna have to see,
you know, what happens twelve days from now in new
(19:33):
administrations come into play. But yeah, I would be remiss
to say that if that that is for sure a
talking point that's taking place over here, I'll say kind
of another area, kind of if we're in the undercurrent phase. Absolutely,
it's kind of like that fear of is technology going
too far? Or is it taking over? Or is it
(19:55):
going to take my job or my parents' job. And
I think, I think what we're seeing. I think twenty
twenty five is a really clear example of what digital
coexistence looks like. Like this technology is not being designed
to replace humans. Humans are not going away. It's being
designed to help humans, and it's being designed to help
(20:18):
do the mundane tasks that we don't necessarily want to
be doing or need to be doing, and lets us
focus on the important things in our lives and what
makes us uniquely human, our creativity, our connection. I keep
using this example, but it's just so real to me.
(20:38):
It sounds kind of silly. But you know, robotic vacuums,
that is something. When those first launched a few years ago,
everyone was like, oh my gosh, I never have to
vacuum my house again. And it's true, it's great. It's
been a time saver that has been incredible. But I
don't know if your vacuum is like my vacuum, it
runs into things again. Three kids three dogs. My house
(20:58):
is a mess y'all. So now we're seeing that next generation,
that next iteration digital coexistence. How can we improve this
product to live in my house and continue to help.
Now we're seeing these vacuums with actual appendages, robotic arms
that are capable of picking objects and obstructions out of
the way and so that it can go on and
(21:20):
continue their job. There's a mop out there that is
again constantly scanning the floor. A spill happens, it automatically starts,
goes over, cleans it up, goes back to a stocking
station before you even had to think about it. And
so like those are just small, but every day and
important examples of getting time back because technology is stepping
(21:42):
in to help out.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
You touch on a very good point ali getting time back.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Yeah, sometimes we can spend so much time doing some
doing things, we lose time with family.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Friends, and loved ones.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
And that's something to me that I think technology will
help us to get some of that back, some of
that time that we need, that that connection time, some
of that some of that that love you know, you
know that we need and and as a mom, no
doubt you know that that's important to you because you
travel a lot, you know, you do a lot of things,
and when you're home, you want to you want to connect,
(22:21):
connect with the you know, you know, with the hubs
and the kids. You know.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Paul, I literally say this, and I believe it with
my entire heart. Our most precious commodity is time. It
really is. And if we can spend the time doing
the things that is most important to us, it doesn't
get better than that. And so exactly that's I think
that's kind of shifting that narrative of that digital co
existence technology helping us get our time back, because it's
(22:47):
it's a timesuck world out there. It really is.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Definitely anything else you like to share with a Sally,
any cool things that that you came across here a
see as any any any news that we should be
aware of. You know, the floor is you're.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Okay, Well I am gonna is it okay if I
share a story of something that happened two days ago,
I got And this kind of touches on that connection
piece and bringing people together, and it also touches on accessibility.
So I was at the convention center talking to media,
talking to reporters my favorite thing, and I got a
message from my fifth grade teacher who just to like
(23:23):
see her. I was like, oh my gosh, and she said, Allie,
I'm here with my brother or I'm at the Venetian
with my brother Johnny. Were attending a conference showcasing technology
for people with disabilities. She was like, Johnny says, this
is connected to CES. Is it? Question Mark? And I
was like, well, where is it?
Speaker 2 (23:44):
You know?
Speaker 4 (23:44):
She has Casanova five O four and I was like,
oh my gosh, yes, like you for sure, we are
involved in CES. And turns out like this world is
so small. So her brother, Johnny, who I have known
since I was in her classroom in fifth grade. Because
Johnny is oh God, I love him so much. He
has Down syndrome and unfortunately now he is blind because
(24:05):
of it, but he is just the happiest human you
have ever met, and so he has always just had
like this incredible special place in my heart. And she said, well,
Johnny and I are over at the Venetian, And so
I dropped everything I was doing over here, ran over,
gave him a big hug, walked into the room. Steve
was there from the CTA Foundation, some of our past
(24:27):
board members and Henry Sharelli was there, who's a CT
Hall of Famer, and it was just one of those
moments where all of my worlds were colliding, my work world,
my technology world, my friendship world, and seeing Johnny, my
former teacher, Miss Marie Branchini, who I hope you're watching this,
who had who inspired me to get into journalism and communication.
(24:49):
It was just a special, special moment. And she talked about,
you know, they had just spent three hours listening to
CS exhibitors who had products and technologies focused on those
with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, and she started tearing
up just talking about the absolute difference. She said, every
(25:11):
single product I saw here over the last three hours
not only is going to make a difference in Johnny's life,
but in my life as his caregiver. And so it
was just a real special moment all around, but just
really drove home the fact that technology is so good
and it's so powerful, you know, for everybody, and and
(25:32):
everybody's access to technology is so incredibly important, and that
is on display here this week. And so yeah, that's
that's what I would end with. I would end with
that story that was just so heartwarming and happy, and
will be a cees favorite memory for years to come.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
I appreciate that, Ali, And then a huge you shout
out to you for sharing that that story you know
with us because that's the real life yeah implications right
hye behind technology and the connections that you've made over
the years. And also we would be remiss if we
don't give a shout out to the executive director of
(26:07):
the Consumer Technology Association, my man Steve Yules.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Steve is like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Remember that, you know, everybody is connected to Steve when
it comes to technology and assistem and adaptive technologies and
and and and Steve really loves compliments. If you didn't
know that, he really eats that up now Steve, Steve
is one of them.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
If you compliment him, he will change the subject real quick.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
But but the work that he's doing with the CTA Foundation,
and and my personal relationships with which the relationship with
Steve has really catapulted me with my side hustle of
being an accessibility consultant, you know, just being around Steve
and and some of the connections that I have made
and I'm so appreciative to that and what he's done
for my career as well. Yeah, sure is. But you're
(27:01):
a great human also, Allie.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
You're a great human also, Paul, thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
So, so what are you gonna do today after you?
Speaker 4 (27:08):
If you leave after here, I'm gonna hit up Eureka
Park for sure. Then I think I'm gonna go to
the Digital Health Area, and then at some point I'm
going to try to get a little bit of time
off my feet because that's a lot miles to be walking.
But yeah, I'm just gonna be drinking it all in
talking to people.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Got a soul, amazing, Ali, you know, I'm sure I'm
gonna talk to you again because normally, you know, I
get you two or three times here here at CEES
and and and thank you so much for all that
you do. And you're an amazing spokesperson and you're so
insightful and and thank you, thank you, thank you. So
(27:51):
everyone out there, do me a favor. Don't go nowhere.
We'll be right back with more show here the Tech
Zone here from CES twenty twenty five here in the
West Hall. So we'll be right back after these mets.
In this world of technology, things that ever changing, rearranging, you.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Need someone to help you out. I know someone that
can be alone. You'll be with Paul. I'm a gay
slaying in the tech Zoe
In this world of technology, things are ever changing, rearranging.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You need someone to help you out. I know someone
who can come and take a journey with me. As
we go through the land of technology. You'll never be alone.
You'll be with Pall. I'm a dance laying in the
text zone.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Take a little trip with me and hopefully you can
see how the hood, suburbs and main street are all connected,
no respective. I mean we networked across the globe because
it's the global market in case, shoot it and know.
And since we all about information flow, let me be
the first. Want to welcome you to Tech Zone with
(01:02):
Paul Alma day Slane. Let's talk tech because technology changing
the game. It's so good in the hood, it's everywhere.
Now let's get into the show because we lovon heh yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yes, welcome, Welcome, Welcome to the Tech Zone. What is up?
But it's me Paul Amadae its Lane.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
I am so delight to have you on our show today,
day two. Here at CES twenty twenty five. We have
seen some amazing innovation since Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and
now we're on Wednesday, and it's been an amazing ride.
I've kind of shared this on social media. I've been
(01:39):
a part of a panel that happened yesterday. It was
pretty awesome. But one of the most highlights of my
time here at ES is checking in with my friends
from the Consumer Technology Association CES spokesperson explored there, Ali Fried, Ali,
what's up?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
How are you, my dear.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
I'm so happy to be here. You know, this is
literally my favorite spot of CS every year, and I
was thinking back on my walk over here that my
very first show was CES twenty seven, two thousand and seven,
and it was the fortieth anniversary of the show. I
was just out of college. It was my first job.
(02:20):
And Pam Golden, who you know well in the broadcast tower,
says Ali, You've got an interview with Paul Lane. It's
gonna be great. And I got so nervous. I was like,
oh my gosh. And anyways, you I just I remember
it so vividly. It was you made me feel so
warm and welcome, and we had such a great interview.
And now here we are, almost twenty years later, together again.
(02:41):
But it's been an annual thing. So I love checking
in with you, and I just want you to know
they do are always always a show highlight for me.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
You know what, Ali, I can't believe it's been that long.
You haven't aged a bit. And y'all y'all watching this. Wow,
y'all watching this now? Ali got three kids? Look how fine?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
She said?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Oh ch so all, I'm saying, Ali, Ali as like
fine wine, not no bull farms or strawberry heel or
our thunderbird. She find why I like some kant out there.
You know what, Ali, it is so amazing to see
how much you have grown over over that time as
(03:20):
a professional, you know, as a as a as a
founder of a of an amazing uh media company and
the things that you're doing. So so I I, you know,
I follow your career all the time. And you and
I we we even talk outside of thees and some
amazing things out there and in.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Ali, what what has it been for you?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
What has it been like for you now at this yes,
twenty twenty five, many years you've been covering it, you
have been here so so so tell us some of
your your other memories of this year and how it
compared to last.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Yeah, I think I think that the thing that stands
out the most to me. Again, like like you said,
it's it's the people that are here, right, We've got
people from a hunt and fifty different countries. That feels
like a reunion. You get to see everybody here and
then walking the show floor with the people that you've
connected with and you've loved. We are in West Hall
here walking around, which is the transportation and mobility area.
(04:15):
This is hands down one of my favorite halls, which
did not exist when I first started coming. This is
a brand new hall as of three years ago. It's
so beautiful that everything is state of the art, and
we are seeing the latest of not what's happening in
mobility necessarily on the roads, we're seeing what's happening in
the skies. We're seeing what's happening in trash trucks. Did
(04:38):
you see there's a trash truck and fire? What a
huge fire truck over there? And I guess I would
say it's the AI component of all of that. We're
seeing AI work its way into everything in this hall,
in North Hall, in Central Hall, in south Over, at
the Venetian. It's just everywhere, and so I think that's
(04:59):
kind of the biggest change. You know, over the years,
the show has involved completely but we're seeing you know,
every company is a technology company today. I would not
have thought that I would see John Deere here, you know,
even two years ago, but they're here with their agriculture
tech and it's using AI to test the soil, see
when conditions are most optimal, to do planting, to alert
(05:21):
when there's droughts coming, to automatically release water. It's just
it's incredible learning. You know, where we can plant crops
and how we can plant crops in places that have
been previously desolate and unable to grow food. So you know,
the sustainability story, how we can bring basic needs to
people all around the globe through technology.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yeah, it really blows my mind when I see how
far we've come.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Ali.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I remember when they were building this hall, when we
were broadcasting at the North Hall over there, and I
remember when this hall was built. They're like, hey, Paul,
you're going to be in the new West Hall. I
was like, well, I get it has to be in
as all. So it's amazing. It's beautiful and just to
see how much it's grown over the years, it's truly
a testament to just a hard work that the Consumer
(06:11):
Technology Association does and their partners to make to make
this happen. And only one thing I really love about
about c Yes, it is the people.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
Yes, Oh my god.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
And it's kind of like we're stuck in the twilight Zone.
But but it's a it's a good episode in the
twilight Zone.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It's not the episode of the Twilight.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Zone where where we're little Anthony will come and kind
of wish you to the cornfield.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
No, yeah, it'd be a good but And and it's
like if ones can.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Take what we have here and put this out in
the world, I think things will be a lot better.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Absolutely. I think that is like one of the biggest
things to touch on and think about. It's the connectivity
piece and that technology is bringing us all together. And
like I said, we've got one hundred and fifty different
countries represented, and the world can feel a little scary
or unstable right now, but you come here and everyone
(07:07):
is focused on how we can use tech for good,
how we can use technology to come together, and you
realize that we all have so much more in common
than we have not in common. And I think that
it's just a beautiful week to kind of get away
from the craziness of the world that we're all living.
In and realize that you know, we're all in this together.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
That is so true.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Now, Ali, we know yesterday was day one, yes what
were some of the highlights that kind of took the
tech world by storm? And everybody's been talking about it
even today here on day two.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Okay, so there were two really big keynotes yesterday. On
day one, we had Panasonic do the opening keynote and
then Delta do the evening keynote. The Delta keynote was
over at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which I don't know.
Have you been there? Have you had a chance to
check it out?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
No, it hasn't been.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
It is the most incredible immersive, completely screen immersive experience.
And Delta was over there talking about what the future
of flight looks like. They announced some very incredible partnerships
with YouTube. Tom Brady was there looking all good. But
in their world, in their vision is you know you've
(08:23):
got your flight. Everything through Delta connected systems is there
for you. So the uber that is alerted because they
know in your flight is knows when to pick you up.
The car is coming to your house, it's picking you up,
it's taking you to the airport. All check in is
a completely seamless system. The days of bag you know,
(08:44):
tickets and standing in line are all gone because it's
all going to be scanning us as we walk in
through the airports. And then again, I can't even tell
you how many bags I have had lost, not by Delta,
other unnamed airlines. But they've got plans solutions for how
AI can help really reduce luggage loss and make sure
(09:05):
that it is tracked and findable and so that we
aren't without are good. Then they're doing this all through
these partnerships. They also announced a partnership with YouTube for some
exclusive content coming in so, you know crazy. Another example,
if I told you even three years ago, are we
going to have a major national airline keynoting ces at
(09:26):
the most technically advanced venue in the world, probably want
to believe me, But it was. It was a pretty
pretty remarkable experience last night.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
You know, it kind of reminds me of I want
to say, a little over a little under a decade ago,
we all.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Came here to CEES and we were in the.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Trends talk that that happens every year, and it is
our good friend Sean Duprevac, And I remember Sean was
over in a corner and instead of saying CEA or
over there, the sign that just says CTA, and I
was like, what in the world is going on here?
That's what Sean got up and talked throughout the new rebrand,
how it went from the Consumer Electronic Association to the
(10:11):
Consumer Technology Association, and really just talking about how every industry,
like Delta, like Others, Laurel, all these different companies now
they have a technology component, either a CTO, a technology
advisory board, something there that's putting technology into every industry
(10:34):
out there in Ali. That is incredible that every industry
now uses some type of technology.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
It's wild. And yes, I remember that name change and
that logo switch vividly. But Geary was very, very intentional
about it, and it was like, you know, the mindset
needs to shift. It's not just electronics, which that is
still a big major part of the show. Of Course
we've got phones, of course, we've got you know, TV screens,
but it's technology, and that technology is not necessarily always
(11:03):
going to be electronic. And so Gary wanted to get
ahead of the curve in that rebrand. And I think
another kind of really important piece of that narrative is
you know, we're at CES incredible show happens once a year,
but it's produced by the Consumer Technology Association, which is
a nonprofit association that represents more than two thousand of
(11:25):
its member companies, and its member companies now include companies
like Uber, Airbnb, Loureal. Again to your point, and you know,
the Association works year round to make sure that we
have an environment where that's business friendly, that's innovation friendly,
where these companies can really make sure that they are
(11:47):
able to put their creative energies into the best use
cases to launch products that you and I can use
to help make our everyday lives easier, better, seamless, more enjoyable,
and get us connected to the people that we love.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, I've always enjoyed talking with with Gary Shapiro, CEO
of the CTA and now with Kinsey Fabrizio now now
being president.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
That happened right after CEES twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Four, right, and to see that happen, I remember when
Kinsey first started here at the CTA and to see
where she has grown now to this leadership role.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I mean, al you've seen it first hand too.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
It's amazing, it's amazing, and you know, CTA. You know,
this is like a family like we It's just it's
so family connected. So yeah, Kinsey started the year after
I did. That was kind of mid to late two thousands.
I think she was two thousand and eight, and she
was a manager in our membership department and so she
(12:52):
got to know every single CTA member what they needed,
where the gaps in the industry were. And then yeah,
to see her, almost twenty years later take over the presidency.
Gary is still on as CEO, but she's got a vision.
She is so open to new ideas and exploring an expansion.
(13:14):
And when I saw her on the keynote stage before
Panasonic yesterday, it's, you know, my heart just yes, well,
you know, you just we take so much joy in
the accomplishments of others, and yeah, Kensye is a fantastic
example of that.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, as boss Lady R I did however, that right,
you know, and I couldn't you know, I would be
you know, I would be negligent if I didn't mention
what I mentioned. Gary Shapiro his amazing beautiful wife. Now,
I mean, yes, Mal is awesome. She's a renowned medical
(13:48):
doctor who does some amazing things and something tells me
a lot of the success we see with Gary is
because of malt. I had an opportunity to meet her
last year when I was a him seeing the Eureka
Park Pitch competition and she was one of one of
the judges and she she came over and we talked
and everything, and I was.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Like, you're Gary's wife, aren't you. So so she's amazing.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I mean, talk about a power couple, right, We've got
Gary who has been ahead of the association for decades.
And then yeah, she is a world renowned retina surgeon
and digital health is a massive area of focus and
she actually has been yeah, very influential and kind of
talking about the needs of patients when vision problem, you know,
how can we step into help solve some of these challenges.
(14:35):
She has great ideas. It's so fun to hear her
talk and they are just absolutely adorable together.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Yeah, and some of it tells me that that Gary's
Gary kind of spoils her.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Does he Paul.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Every year? And this is probably this happens on their
other tips, But every year Gary flies out a little
bit ahead of her because she usually has to stay
back at her practice do some surgery. He flies out
with her luggage, which and she is always dressed to
the absolutely she is right. He flies out with her
(15:09):
luggage and then he hangs up all of her outfits,
puts everything away, toiletries are out, so that when she
gets into town, everything is done and she just has
to like get ready to accompany him. To the keynote,
it's they're adorable together, and yes, he spoils his lady.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Gary, if you're listening, it is, I'm gonna revoke your
man car because you don't put all of us on notice, Gary,
all of our wives are gonna be like, hey, are
you going to do this for me?
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Very hot?
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Yeah? Thank you Gary.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Thanks for setting the bar not only in technology, but
even when it comes to me and a husband.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Thank you, Gary.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
No one's unpacking my luggage, you know. I'm just gonna say.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
That I love it. Ali said, that's my that's my
personal space I'm gonna do. I'm gonna do myself.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Well. Well, ally, here we are.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Day two, So what some things that we should be
aware of on day two of CES?
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Day two of CES? Where do I start? Okay? I
think day two for me personally, I have not been
over to Eureka Park yet, and so that is an
area that I want to make sure that we get
over that I get over to and anyone listening watching,
if you are at the show, you cannot be here
without going over there. We've got more than fourteen hundred
(16:26):
startups and it is by far my favorite place on
the show floor. You know, I think a lot of
the news covered ucfcs. It's always the huge booths in
Central Hall. It's the flashy cars, it's the autonomous race cars.
Those will all be here, those will all be incredible.
But when you go over to Rica Park, it has
just a little bit different of a feeling because it
is literally mom and pop shops, university students who are
(16:52):
coming to cees to have their chance to make a
difference in this world. And it's just the feeling you
get over there. I love it. I love talking to people.
The energy is the next level. So my day too
will personally be over at Eureka Park, and if I
don't make it over there, I'm going to be very
upset with myself.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
You know.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
And Eureka Park really warms my heart too.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I remember right when the war started in Ukraine, and
I remember the Ukrainian delegation was here at SCEs.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
And I was like, wow, this is like, this is
real life right here.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
It is, you know, because sometimes we can be in
a bubble here at CES because we have so much
fluns you and all this innovation. But there's real life
that happens. Happened, and it was really good. And some
of the different countries that are represented.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Yeah, I think there's over seventy five different countries represented
in Eureka Park, and you know, we're now seeing countries
pull pull full pavilions. I feel like that is a
real legitary cluster full pavilions together where yeah, the government
is scouting or their technology sectors are scouting the top
(18:00):
startup innovation in the country and then bringing it over
and it's a pride point, right, It's like, yes, this
is the best of Ukraine, this is the best of Jamaica,
this is the best of the best in in over
seventy five countries that are over there. So yeah, it
is incredible, it really is.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
And Ali as we uh, look at where we're at
when it comes to tech, and and and Brian and
Melissa then they kind of talked about this at their
opening keynote, not keynote.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
But the but the talk.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
The trends, Yeah, trends.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
And there even though we having a lot of fun here,
but there's kind of like an undercurrent of maybe some anxiety,
especially with tech and possible possible tariffs. Are is that
affecting ones here? Are Are they kind of uncertain? Are
you know? The optimism that we feel is it is? It?
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Is? It?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
Is?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
It starting to Its starting to to to seem like
some we may happen with all this momentum that we have, Yeah,
it may start to be tailed back just a little bit.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Are you starting to feel that here with some You know.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
Those conversations are definitely happening, they're definitely taking place. Gary
put out a statement earlier, you know, talking about and
this has been you know, the stance all along CTA
is pro business, pro innovation, and at the end of
the day, tariffs are taxes, and it's a tax that
the consumer feels. And so we're gonna have to see,
you know, what happens twelve days from now in new
(19:33):
administrations come into play. But yeah, I would be remiss
to say that if that that is for sure a
talking point that's taking place over here, I'll say kind
of another area, kind of if we're in the undercurrent phase. Absolutely,
it's kind of like that fear of is technology going
too far? Or is it taking over? Or is it
(19:55):
going to take my job or my parents' job. And
I think, I think what we're seeing. I think twenty
twenty five is a really clear example of what digital
coexistence looks like. Like this technology is not being designed
to replace humans. Humans are not going away. It's being
designed to help humans, and it's being designed to help
(20:18):
do the mundane tasks that we don't necessarily want to
be doing or need to be doing, and lets us
focus on the important things in our lives and what
makes us uniquely human, our creativity, our connection. I keep
using this example, but it's just so real to me.
(20:38):
It sounds kind of silly. But you know, robotic vacuums,
that is something. When those first launched a few years ago,
everyone was like, oh my gosh, I never have to
vacuum my house again. And it's true, it's great. It's
been a time saver that has been incredible. But I
don't know if your vacuum is like my vacuum, it
runs into things again. Three kids three dogs. My house
(20:58):
is a mess y'all. So now we're seeing that next generation,
that next iteration digital coexistence. How can we improve this
product to live in my house and continue to help.
Now we're seeing these vacuums with actual appendages, robotic arms
that are capable of picking objects and obstructions out of
the way and so that it can go on and
(21:20):
continue their job. There's a mop out there that is
again constantly scanning the floor. A spill happens, it automatically starts,
goes over, cleans it up, goes back to a stocking
station before you even had to think about it. And
so like those are just small, but every day and
important examples of getting time back because technology is stepping
(21:42):
in to help out.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
You touch on a very good point ali getting time back.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Yeah, sometimes we can spend so much time doing some
doing things, we lose time with family.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Friends, and loved ones.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
And that's something to me that I think technology will
help us to get some of that back, some of
that time that we need, that that connection time, some
of that some of that that love you know, you
know that we need and and as a mom, no
doubt you know that that's important to you because you
travel a lot, you know, you do a lot of things,
and when you're home, you want to you want to connect,
(22:21):
connect with the you know, you know, with the hubs
and the kids. You know.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Paul, I literally say this, and I believe it with
my entire heart. Our most precious commodity is time. It
really is. And if we can spend the time doing
the things that is most important to us, it doesn't
get better than that. And so exactly that's I think
that's kind of shifting that narrative of that digital co
existence technology helping us get our time back, because it's
(22:47):
it's a timesuck world out there. It really is.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Definitely anything else you like to share with a Sally,
any cool things that that you came across here a
see as any any any news that we should be
aware of. You know, the floor is you're.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Okay, Well I am gonna is it okay if I
share a story of something that happened two days ago,
I got And this kind of touches on that connection
piece and bringing people together, and it also touches on accessibility.
So I was at the convention center talking to media,
talking to reporters my favorite thing, and I got a
message from my fifth grade teacher who just to like
(23:23):
see her. I was like, oh my gosh, and she said, Allie,
I'm here with my brother or I'm at the Venetian
with my brother Johnny. Were attending a conference showcasing technology
for people with disabilities. She was like, Johnny says, this
is connected to CES. Is it? Question Mark? And I
was like, well, where is it?
Speaker 2 (23:44):
You know?
Speaker 4 (23:44):
She has Casanova five O four and I was like,
oh my gosh, yes, like you for sure, we are
involved in CES. And turns out like this world is
so small. So her brother, Johnny, who I have known
since I was in her classroom in fifth grade. Because
Johnny is oh God, I love him so much. He
has Down syndrome and unfortunately now he is blind because
(24:05):
of it, but he is just the happiest human you
have ever met, and so he has always just had
like this incredible special place in my heart. And she said, well,
Johnny and I are over at the Venetian, And so
I dropped everything I was doing over here, ran over,
gave him a big hug, walked into the room. Steve
was there from the CTA Foundation, some of our past
(24:27):
board members and Henry Sharelli was there, who's a CT
Hall of Famer, and it was just one of those
moments where all of my worlds were colliding, my work world,
my technology world, my friendship world, and seeing Johnny, my
former teacher, Miss Marie Branchini, who I hope you're watching this,
who had who inspired me to get into journalism and communication.
(24:49):
It was just a special, special moment. And she talked about,
you know, they had just spent three hours listening to
CS exhibitors who had products and technologies focused on those
with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, and she started tearing
up just talking about the absolute difference. She said, every
(25:11):
single product I saw here over the last three hours
not only is going to make a difference in Johnny's life,
but in my life as his caregiver. And so it
was just a real special moment all around, but just
really drove home the fact that technology is so good
and it's so powerful, you know, for everybody, and and
(25:32):
everybody's access to technology is so incredibly important, and that
is on display here this week. And so yeah, that's
that's what I would end with. I would end with
that story that was just so heartwarming and happy, and
will be a cees favorite memory for years to come.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
I appreciate that, Ali, And then a huge you shout
out to you for sharing that that story you know
with us because that's the real life yeah implications right
hye behind technology and the connections that you've made over
the years. And also we would be remiss if we
don't give a shout out to the executive director of
(26:07):
the Consumer Technology Association, my man Steve Yules.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Steve is like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Remember that, you know, everybody is connected to Steve when
it comes to technology and assistem and adaptive technologies and
and and and Steve really loves compliments. If you didn't
know that, he really eats that up now Steve, Steve
is one of them.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
If you compliment him, he will change the subject real quick.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
But but the work that he's doing with the CTA Foundation,
and and my personal relationships with which the relationship with
Steve has really catapulted me with my side hustle of
being an accessibility consultant, you know, just being around Steve
and and some of the connections that I have made
and I'm so appreciative to that and what he's done
for my career as well. Yeah, sure is. But you're
(27:01):
a great human also, Allie.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
You're a great human also, Paul, thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
So, so what are you gonna do today after you?
Speaker 4 (27:08):
If you leave after here, I'm gonna hit up Eureka
Park for sure. Then I think I'm gonna go to
the Digital Health Area, and then at some point I'm
going to try to get a little bit of time
off my feet because that's a lot miles to be walking.
But yeah, I'm just gonna be drinking it all in
talking to people.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Got a soul, amazing, Ali, you know, I'm sure I'm
gonna talk to you again because normally, you know, I
get you two or three times here here at CEES
and and and thank you so much for all that
you do. And you're an amazing spokesperson and you're so
insightful and and thank you, thank you, thank you. So
(27:51):
everyone out there, do me a favor. Don't go nowhere.
We'll be right back with more show here the Tech
Zone here from CES twenty twenty five here in the
West Hall. So we'll be right back after these mets.
In this world of technology, things that ever changing, rearranging, you.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Need someone to help you out. I know someone that
can be alone. You'll be with Paul. I'm a gay
slaying in the tech Zoe
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