As I reflect on my experience at CES, I know that this year is one I’ll never forget.The groundbreaking technology I encountered and the inspiring conversations I had were all taking place while the devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, in my home state of California. At the time I’m writing this, the fires remain uncontained, destroying over 57,000 structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 153,000 residents. Needless to say, this cast a somber undertone over CES–many attendees, including several of my colleagues, were personally impacted and had to fly out to support their families.
Amid this chaos and tragedy, my biggest speaking engagement took on an unexpected poignancy. On the Brand Innovators stage, I joined Ad Council board member Randi Stipes, CMO of The Weather Company, to discuss our recent collaboration on the Smokey Bear wildfire prevention campaign and Weather Kids, a climate education initiative. As we spoke about the importance of preventative messaging, science-based solutions, and equipping future generations to face climate challenges, the real-world urgency of our conversation was painfully clear. This conversation set the tone for the rest of CES, underscoring how technology must play a pivotal role in addressing the complex issues facing our society.
Exploring Tech for Wellness and Well-Being
On Tuesday morning, I began the week by co-hosting a wellness event with Meta and Headspace, inviting creators to experience mental health content on the Meta Quest 3. This was my first guided wellness session using a headset, and I was genuinely impressed. Through immersive activities like box breathing exercises, movement activities like catching virtual objects, and a guided meditation tailored to my emotional state, I saw firsthand how VR can provide meaningful support to those experiencing anxiety or stress.
Exploring Innovations on the Tradeshow Floor
A highlight for me is always the guided floor tours, and this year’s technology didn’t disappoint. I had the opportunity to join dentsu on their “Future of Engagement” guided tour led by Andrew Melnizek of Vox Media.
One standout moment was learning about Aliro, a smart home technology standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) that enables devices like doors to unlock with a palm or facial scan. This technology aligns with the vision for a seamlessly integrated smart home ecosystem in which devices from multiple brands (Apple, Google, Samsung, etc) work together to create convenience and security. The tour guide explained how Aliro is poised to become a foundational technology for smart home infrastructure, and it’s exciting to imagine how widely this could be adopted in the near future. My dad owned and operated a security business so this was extremely fascinating to me.
Another impressive innovation was LG’s AI-powered smart car concept. The vehicle is equipped with advanced sensors that monitor the driver’s heart rate, stress levels, and mood, automatically adjusting ambient lighting, music, and even suggesting when to pull over if it detects signs of fatigue. This integration of health monitoring with AI-driven automation could redefine safety and comfort on the road.
The tour also emphasized local infrastructure and processing over reliance on cloud storage. Leading this innovation was Microsoft’s Copilot + PC, which we had the privilege of previewing during a private tour at Microsoft’s space. Copilot PCs integrate small AI language models directly into devices, enabling faster and more secure processing of tasks. On the tradeshow floor, LG demonstrated this functionality through their Gram Pro series laptops, which combine Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot features with lightweight, high-performance hardware.
LG also showcased their “Lifestyle Solution for Mobility” concept vehicle which could serve as a mobile office. It is equipped with LG’s latest smart home devices, seamlessly connected through the ThinQ platform, allowing for intuitive control and automation of various functions. The example they provided was that this concept could be especially useful for essential workers like ER physicians, traveling nurses, disaster relief workers or climate researchers.
Another innovation that struck me on a personal level was Bosch’s AI-powered baby bassinet, Revol, designed to monitor an infant’s sleep patterns and adjust its rocking or white noise settings to soothe the baby automatically. As a mom, I couldn’t help but think how much easier those early sleepless nights might have been with a tool like this.
And, of course, no CES visit is complete without robots.My favorite this year was Ai Me, the world’s first modular AI companion robot introduced by TCL. Ai Me is designed to monitor kids and families with its expressive digital eyes and childlike voice. It features sensors and cameras to monitor surroundings, record videos, capture pictures, and even act as a home surveillance device. Although still a concept, Ai Me aims to entertain, interact, and provide security. However, I have to admit there’s still something uncanny about humanoid robots—something society will have to acclimate to if they’re ever going to become a part of everyday life.
Highlighting Inclusivity and Impact
My colleague Ashley Menschner, SVP of Media, continued the thread of tech for good in her panels at the Female Quotient Lounge with board member Shelly Zalis and on the C-Space stage. Her discussions focused on measuring inclusivity in creative content and ensuring authentic representation in advertising. A key part of the conversation highlighted XR Extreme Reach, which has developed Representation Index (RX), a tool that leverages AI and real-time data to assess and improve inclusivity in advertising. Their platform provides brands with the ability to measure representation across dimensions such as age, gender expression, body type, skin tone, and more.
The Ad Council also hosted an inspiring CES welcome reception with Dentsu, where Ashley and denstu CEO, Michael Komasinski, a member of our board, spoke very powerfully about the power of collaboration to create impact and build tech responsibility.
A Roundtable on Tech for Good
I wrapped up CES by co-hosting a small “Connect & Reflect” roundtable with board member Bill Watkins and his team at Pinterest for twenty partners from across tech, media, and brands. We discussed how emerging technologies can advance social impact initiatives, particularly in mental health and well-being. We exchanged ideas about how to bring together social impact organizations with tech platforms and finding balance between digital innovation and genuine human connection. It was inspiring to see how aligned we were on the need to prioritize purpose-driven innovation.
Looking Ahead: From Tragedy to Action
CES 2025 was a week of stark contrasts—the promise of technological advancements in the near future, and the devastating impact of climate change right now. The wildfires served as a visceral reminder of the stakes at hand.
Yet, as tragic as these events are, they often spark innovation and drive action. Relevant emerging technologies are being developed, such as AI-powered early detection systems and autonomous drones that can create firebreaks in real time to significantly improve how we predict and respond to wildfires in the future.
My hope is that the leaders gathered at CES will take these lessons to heart and channel their expertise into solutions that not only prevent future crises but create a world where everyone can thrive.
As I return home, I’m left with a renewed sense of purpose: that technology, when guided by empathy and intentionality, has the power to solve our greatest challenges.
The best way to help those affected by the California fires is by donating money rather than goods. To support the people impacted by this devastating event, donate to the California Wildfire Relief Fund, created as part of the Ad Council’s longstanding partnership with GlobalGiving.