Taking a Walk.

Taking a Walk.

A lot of companies I think have a major appeal to say, hey, we want to just take the latest and great technology. But what they must do first is identify what is the necessity, what is the need of their audience, their consumer being met. So when thinking about something like artificial intelligence, that's the first guardrail, right is what is your use case?

A lot of companies I think have a major appeal to say, hey, we want to just take the latest and great technology. But what they must do first is identify what is the necessity, what is the need of their audience, their consumer being met. So when thinking about something like artificial intelligence, that's the first guardrail, right is what is your use case?

What is that doing for someone?

What is that doing for someone?

Well? I'm Buzzsnight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast. We talk with musicians, we talk with insiders, we talk with experts in their field. We love talking about the intersection of music, media, technology and Welcome to the Special CEES twenty.

Well? I'm Buzzsnight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast. We talk with musicians, we talk with insiders, we talk with experts in their field. We love talking about the intersection of music, media, technology and Welcome to the Special CEES twenty.

Twenty five Special Tech tick on a Walk. I like the way that sounds tech ticke out a Walk episode as we celebrate this week. I'm joined by the Senior director of Innovation for.

Twenty five Special Tech tick on a Walk. I like the way that sounds tech ticke out a Walk episode as we celebrate this week. I'm joined by the Senior director of Innovation for.

The Consumer Technology Association, Brian Kamiski.

The Consumer Technology Association, Brian Kamiski.

Hello, Brian, hy buzz, How you doing great? Welcome to Taking a Walk.

Hello, Brian, hy buzz, How you doing great? Welcome to Taking a Walk.

I wish we were taking a walk in person for it, but since your schedule this week of CEES is bonkers, we're in two different places. But we'll intersect on the floor at some point. Okay, I'm sure we will.

I wish we were taking a walk in person for it, but since your schedule this week of CEES is bonkers, we're in two different places. But we'll intersect on the floor at some point. Okay, I'm sure we will.

I think we're going to get that amongst our what like the twenty thousand steps a day one gets at CS.

I think we're going to get that amongst our what like the twenty thousand steps a day one gets at CS.

Absolutely, yeah, I love it, looking forward to it all. So what are the key themes for media companies to observe this year at the CEES twenty twenty five.

Absolutely, yeah, I love it, looking forward to it all. So what are the key themes for media companies to observe this year at the CEES twenty twenty five.

Yeah, of course, Well, I think it's it's about kind of reflecting with the overall show theme, which is going all in right, which is how do you lean into different technologies to either access a new audience, to improve your own product, or to honestly improve your operations.

Yeah, of course, Well, I think it's it's about kind of reflecting with the overall show theme, which is going all in right, which is how do you lean into different technologies to either access a new audience, to improve your own product, or to honestly improve your operations.

So I think there's really three key.

So I think there's really three key.

Paths that really emerge my mind. One is how are companies grappling when you know it's going to take about two minutes this podcast for me to say the word our official intelligence. But how do companies interact with the rising and shifting nature of ourtificial intelligence? How do they really leverage what is the especially on the audio side, what's the oldest form of content or spoken entertainment in the world into other forms of intellectual property and what that means in maybe gaming and video. And lastly, how do you use it to really start to improve the audio or the video the actual outputs that you're doing right, how do you get that high fidelity visual or audio quality?

Paths that really emerge my mind. One is how are companies grappling when you know it's going to take about two minutes this podcast for me to say the word our official intelligence. But how do companies interact with the rising and shifting nature of ourtificial intelligence? How do they really leverage what is the especially on the audio side, what's the oldest form of content or spoken entertainment in the world into other forms of intellectual property and what that means in maybe gaming and video. And lastly, how do you use it to really start to improve the audio or the video the actual outputs that you're doing right, how do you get that high fidelity visual or audio quality?

Those are the three that really come to mind right away. So when you think.

Those are the three that really come to mind right away. So when you think.

Of artificial intelligence, what guard rails do you think media companies should be thinking about?

Of artificial intelligence, what guard rails do you think media companies should be thinking about?

Of course, well, I think with any sort of innovation, it's all about a balance. I think when we think about innovation and growth all that we think there's a few pairs of forces that operate.

Of course, well, I think with any sort of innovation, it's all about a balance. I think when we think about innovation and growth all that we think there's a few pairs of forces that operate.

One is you have growth versus value.

One is you have growth versus value.

Right, Companies want to grow their product, consumers want the best value their supply and demand. These ones make sense, But there's another one, which is innovation versus necessity.

Right, Companies want to grow their product, consumers want the best value their supply and demand. These ones make sense, But there's another one, which is innovation versus necessity.

Right.

Right.

A lot of companies I think have a.

A lot of companies I think have a.

Major appeal to say, hey, we want to just take the latest and greatest technology. But what they must do first is identify what is the necessity, What is the need of their audience, their consumer being met. So when thinking about something like artificial intelligence, that's the first guardrail, right, is.

Major appeal to say, hey, we want to just take the latest and greatest technology. But what they must do first is identify what is the necessity, What is the need of their audience, their consumer being met. So when thinking about something like artificial intelligence, that's the first guardrail, right, is.

What is your use case? What is that doing for someone?

What is your use case? What is that doing for someone?

And I think a really good example of this is it goes back to someone that Caines actually said like one hundred years ago, which is the idea of technology is supposed to be used to eliminate drudgery so that we can do what humans do best, which is be creative. And what better medium then music and media in general, right, which is how do you use AI and building a place that is helping build efficiencies, but keeping those guardrails to protect the talent to really leverage into what is the stronger.

And I think a really good example of this is it goes back to someone that Caines actually said like one hundred years ago, which is the idea of technology is supposed to be used to eliminate drudgery so that we can do what humans do best, which is be creative. And what better medium then music and media in general, right, which is how do you use AI and building a place that is helping build efficiencies, but keeping those guardrails to protect the talent to really leverage into what is the stronger.

Components of the industry, which is its people. At the end of the day.

Components of the industry, which is its people. At the end of the day.

I'm so glad you said that, because I think the human touch is so critical here and sometimes I think that gets forgotten when companies are really looking at these balance sheets trying to get them together, and they forget about the importance of people. But speaking of people and speaking of radio organizations, how do radio companies build the spirit of innovation inside their walls in the years ahead?

I'm so glad you said that, because I think the human touch is so critical here and sometimes I think that gets forgotten when companies are really looking at these balance sheets trying to get them together, and they forget about the importance of people. But speaking of people and speaking of radio organizations, how do radio companies build the spirit of innovation inside their walls in the years ahead?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Well, I think there's a few paths to that. One is actually sometimes taking a look inward at your own employees. You know, I've talked with some other folks in the media exec space in the past, and they've talked about competitions for innovation. How do you get your employees even in terms of thinking about, well, what sort of technology or what sort of approach can we use to really improve our operations and looking and leaning into the people that they already have, and you can create it in a friendly competitive set where it's all right, we're going to adopt one of these solutions. Maybe that's you know, incentivized financially by the way, that's a morale boost inside. Some of it is also not being afraid of bringing in that outside expertise on technology and how do you adopt it. And this is a balancing at that not just media companies but companies in general are starting to consider right is as AI, but also all these other technologies get a little bit more complex, get a little bit more detailed. There's a lot of data going around, there's a lot of privacy going concerns to think about how do you make sure that you have that expertise. And sometimes you have that internally, sometimes you have that externally. But when I look at something like radio in particular, I think that there's a tendency in the industry. And I'm a long radio fan. I think we've both known this. I'm from the New England area. Originally I grew up listening to a lot of independent radio, like ninety two to one or one seven FNX, which no longer exists.

Well, I think there's a few paths to that. One is actually sometimes taking a look inward at your own employees. You know, I've talked with some other folks in the media exec space in the past, and they've talked about competitions for innovation. How do you get your employees even in terms of thinking about, well, what sort of technology or what sort of approach can we use to really improve our operations and looking and leaning into the people that they already have, and you can create it in a friendly competitive set where it's all right, we're going to adopt one of these solutions. Maybe that's you know, incentivized financially by the way, that's a morale boost inside. Some of it is also not being afraid of bringing in that outside expertise on technology and how do you adopt it. And this is a balancing at that not just media companies but companies in general are starting to consider right is as AI, but also all these other technologies get a little bit more complex, get a little bit more detailed. There's a lot of data going around, there's a lot of privacy going concerns to think about how do you make sure that you have that expertise. And sometimes you have that internally, sometimes you have that externally. But when I look at something like radio in particular, I think that there's a tendency in the industry. And I'm a long radio fan. I think we've both known this. I'm from the New England area. Originally I grew up listening to a lot of independent radio, like ninety two to one or one seven FNX, which no longer exists.

Rest in peace.

Rest in peace.

But I grew up listening to that, and I think what made that very clear was what made it great well its radio personalities. They did start to pivot to use some technologies quite well, I thought, which is when they went to digital, they went into an online presence, especially after the loss of the radio station itself. But this is one of those things where they started trying to lean in and maybe it was a little too late in this example, but lean into how do we use other technologies in general to keep.

But I grew up listening to that, and I think what made that very clear was what made it great well its radio personalities. They did start to pivot to use some technologies quite well, I thought, which is when they went to digital, they went into an online presence, especially after the loss of the radio station itself. But this is one of those things where they started trying to lean in and maybe it was a little too late in this example, but lean into how do we use other technologies in general to keep.

Our product alive?

Our product alive?

Or let's go with one that still exists today, which is metal Arc Media. That is Dan Lebtard who had his radio station on ESPN for years talking about sports metal Arc.

Or let's go with one that still exists today, which is metal Arc Media. That is Dan Lebtard who had his radio station on ESPN for years talking about sports metal Arc.

After the separation of ESPN, they are no longer on radio.

After the separation of ESPN, they are no longer on radio.

Because they successfully pivoted to video using draft kings of all people to fund their sponsor. We're talking about a betting company coming in and saying, hey, media matters. And they built a podcast in digital empire as well as a video stream empire on Twitch, which is leaning into a new generational demographic.

Because they successfully pivoted to video using draft kings of all people to fund their sponsor. We're talking about a betting company coming in and saying, hey, media matters. And they built a podcast in digital empire as well as a video stream empire on Twitch, which is leaning into a new generational demographic.

Right.

Right.

So at their peak of ESPN, they were on Twitch, Radio, TV and to a podcasts. They were using an Omnich channel approach, which really starts to attract those younger generations.

So at their peak of ESPN, they were on Twitch, Radio, TV and to a podcasts. They were using an Omnich channel approach, which really starts to attract those younger generations.

So every year at CEES you are able to find these companies that, you know, maybe surprise people in terms of the amazing work they're doing or they're preparing to roll out. Are there a couple of examples this year that will be surprising to folks in terms of what companies are showcasing at CEES twenty twenty five.

So every year at CEES you are able to find these companies that, you know, maybe surprise people in terms of the amazing work they're doing or they're preparing to roll out. Are there a couple of examples this year that will be surprising to folks in terms of what companies are showcasing at CEES twenty twenty five.

Yeah, Well, I think about especially let's let's say with music, and you think about all the different ways that audio goes right, Like you have Victrola be back, you know, a company from nineteen oh six, how are they developing their latest turntables which have started to get a little bit of a comeback in terms of some of the not just the high fidelity audio, but there is a for gen Z they are surprisingly like they like to go to sometimes that tech that maybe is a little bit older, not just for the novelty, but because it still has that high power immersive performance. When we think about audios shift in general, people are looking for immersive experiences. So a company like Patrola is innovating in that place. On the turntable side. Another path that I find interesting is well, what is music used for?

Yeah, Well, I think about especially let's let's say with music, and you think about all the different ways that audio goes right, Like you have Victrola be back, you know, a company from nineteen oh six, how are they developing their latest turntables which have started to get a little bit of a comeback in terms of some of the not just the high fidelity audio, but there is a for gen Z they are surprisingly like they like to go to sometimes that tech that maybe is a little bit older, not just for the novelty, but because it still has that high power immersive performance. When we think about audios shift in general, people are looking for immersive experiences. So a company like Patrola is innovating in that place. On the turntable side. Another path that I find interesting is well, what is music used for?

In general?

In general?

We tend to lean right to entertainment, but right before you know, I go on stage or I talk to anyone, I actually usually listen to music as a way to sort of calm myself down, to train myself. I usually have like a go to playlist of different things. And when I tell you the genre is quite ranging, it is all over the place.

We tend to lean right to entertainment, but right before you know, I go on stage or I talk to anyone, I actually usually listen to music as a way to sort of calm myself down, to train myself. I usually have like a go to playlist of different things. And when I tell you the genre is quite ranging, it is all over the place.

But there's a company.

But there's a company.

That's going to be that's at SESS called Alphabets, which I really like. It's a patented solution. It wins one at CS Innovation Award. It's actually used for athletic performers. And what it does is it bases on neurofeedback and individualized music to help recovery and relaxation and focus and flow. So how are you using music to actually help athletes in this case perform their very best. So I think that's the other thing is when we think about music, when we think about media, we tend to go down.

That's going to be that's at SESS called Alphabets, which I really like. It's a patented solution. It wins one at CS Innovation Award. It's actually used for athletic performers. And what it does is it bases on neurofeedback and individualized music to help recovery and relaxation and focus and flow. So how are you using music to actually help athletes in this case perform their very best. So I think that's the other thing is when we think about music, when we think about media, we tend to go down.

This route of content and entertainment.

This route of content and entertainment.

And that's a massive, massive market. But I think at its core, what is the staying power of music really is? It's not just it taps into a culture, It clearly taps into something quite primal and instinctual. And so seeing a company like Alphabets really lean into that, I think is incredible. And then lastly, I just will say, really quick, you're going to see companies like iHeartMedia and Serious XM talk about what their overall strategies look like, whether that's from a content perspective or they're leaning into talking about well, what's our new offerings in our strategy and how do we use technology to enhance that.

And that's a massive, massive market. But I think at its core, what is the staying power of music really is? It's not just it taps into a culture, It clearly taps into something quite primal and instinctual. And so seeing a company like Alphabets really lean into that, I think is incredible. And then lastly, I just will say, really quick, you're going to see companies like iHeartMedia and Serious XM talk about what their overall strategies look like, whether that's from a content perspective or they're leaning into talking about well, what's our new offerings in our strategy and how do we use technology to enhance that.

So I produced this other podcast which is called Music Save Me. It's about the sort of healing power of music. Linn Hoffman as the host of that podcast. It's sort of was born out of taking a walk. So can you speak even in a little bit more detail towards, you know, maybe the therapeutic aspects of maybe products. You just alluded to it to a degree with the prep before going on stage, But are there any offerings that sort of match what Music Saved Me is about, which is this you know, real incredible force that music has to do good and help people.

So I produced this other podcast which is called Music Save Me. It's about the sort of healing power of music. Linn Hoffman as the host of that podcast. It's sort of was born out of taking a walk. So can you speak even in a little bit more detail towards, you know, maybe the therapeutic aspects of maybe products. You just alluded to it to a degree with the prep before going on stage, But are there any offerings that sort of match what Music Saved Me is about, which is this you know, real incredible force that music has to do good and help people.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, as I said, I think that first example really speaks to this company called alphabet is where they're really leaning into this idea of well, how do we use just basically it's focusing and calibrating it to neurofeedback, which that gets into there's a whole psychology I feel called psychoacoustics, which is how are you using sound to trigger a particular emotional response, a typical, a certain physiological response.

Well, as I said, I think that first example really speaks to this company called alphabet is where they're really leaning into this idea of well, how do we use just basically it's focusing and calibrating it to neurofeedback, which that gets into there's a whole psychology I feel called psychoacoustics, which is how are you using sound to trigger a particular emotional response, a typical, a certain physiological response.

They're working on that, SiriusXM. We'll be talking about that a lot.

They're working on that, SiriusXM. We'll be talking about that a lot.

They have a team called Studio reson I actually serious ExM will. It has a keynote at CES they're going to be talking to the host of Crime Junkie, a true crime podcast. But in addition to that, the Studio Resonate team will be there and their whole focus is on this idea of psychoacoustics. How do you get that sort of space to really use sound and audio cues to.

They have a team called Studio reson I actually serious ExM will. It has a keynote at CES they're going to be talking to the host of Crime Junkie, a true crime podcast. But in addition to that, the Studio Resonate team will be there and their whole focus is on this idea of psychoacoustics. How do you get that sort of space to really use sound and audio cues to.

Evoke a certain type of reaction.

Evoke a certain type of reaction.

Now there is a focus that they use it for for advertising and marketing. Certainly, right when we hear the sound of Netflix go off, right, even just the quick whole theme music, you don't even need to see the Netflix logo to know what happens, right, or the taco bell chime that's the sort of psychology that they're going with. And then there's a musical component to it as well, which is all right, it's not just the sound effect book, what's the musical side of it.

Now there is a focus that they use it for for advertising and marketing. Certainly, right when we hear the sound of Netflix go off, right, even just the quick whole theme music, you don't even need to see the Netflix logo to know what happens, right, or the taco bell chime that's the sort of psychology that they're going with. And then there's a musical component to it as well, which is all right, it's not just the sound effect book, what's the musical side of it.

The other one too, is there.

The other one too, is there.

Will be companies that we talked about the therapeutic side, but music also is a really tremendous educational tool.

Will be companies that we talked about the therapeutic side, but music also is a really tremendous educational tool.

I know, you know growing up.

I know, you know growing up.

So both my sisters are teachers, and one is a Spanish language teacher, and and she follows a tried and true form which is teaching Spanish language songs because if you learn a tuned to certain words and not I was talking about all the fun alphabet song, but if you learn actual music from the countries, you can actually learn slang in a context that really helps you into the future.

So both my sisters are teachers, and one is a Spanish language teacher, and and she follows a tried and true form which is teaching Spanish language songs because if you learn a tuned to certain words and not I was talking about all the fun alphabet song, but if you learn actual music from the countries, you can actually learn slang in a context that really helps you into the future.

So music has a.

So music has a.

Therapeutic and educational role. It's really it's what are you tapping into at the end of the day. And I think all of us at the end of the day can think about certain tracks that bring us to the right emotional state time. And so these companies I've listed, Alphabets, Miko's this company that's worked on educational side, and even stereos xm are all finding how do we get that there from different paths, whether that's a learning robot, a therapeutic app, or just our content platform as a whole.

Therapeutic and educational role. It's really it's what are you tapping into at the end of the day. And I think all of us at the end of the day can think about certain tracks that bring us to the right emotional state time. And so these companies I've listed, Alphabets, Miko's this company that's worked on educational side, and even stereos xm are all finding how do we get that there from different paths, whether that's a learning robot, a therapeutic app, or just our content platform as a whole.

So, your boss, Gary Shapiro, the president of the Consumer Technology Association, has a new book out, Pivot or Die, great title. You wrote a chapter in there for the book, Loo, how do companies sort of jump off the curb and do what's necessary, get their fears out of the way, and make the necessary pivot to thrive in today's world?

So, your boss, Gary Shapiro, the president of the Consumer Technology Association, has a new book out, Pivot or Die, great title. You wrote a chapter in there for the book, Loo, how do companies sort of jump off the curb and do what's necessary, get their fears out of the way, and make the necessary pivot to thrive in today's world?

Yeah, of course, Well, I think the lot of that is what I think the first step is when you think about how to thrive, I think technology is the pathway to do so, and I think you have to first examine, well, what is your relationship with technology? And I think there's really kind of four types of relationships and technology. I think that there's companies that are enablers, and these are companies that they are making the building blocks of a particular technology. They are the ones who are there making either the hardware or the software platform that allows it to happen. This is why, for example, Nvidia is doing so well in our official intelligence. They make the chips the literal hardware foundation for AI, but they also make the software.

Yeah, of course, Well, I think the lot of that is what I think the first step is when you think about how to thrive, I think technology is the pathway to do so, and I think you have to first examine, well, what is your relationship with technology? And I think there's really kind of four types of relationships and technology. I think that there's companies that are enablers, and these are companies that they are making the building blocks of a particular technology. They are the ones who are there making either the hardware or the software platform that allows it to happen. This is why, for example, Nvidia is doing so well in our official intelligence. They make the chips the literal hardware foundation for AI, but they also make the software.

That's one relationship. One is called.

That's one relationship. One is called.

Engagers, and these are companies they lean fully in to technology as their main products, so they oftentimes offer a software a service.

Engagers, and these are companies they lean fully in to technology as their main products, so they oftentimes offer a software a service.

The last two might sound close.

The last two might sound close.

To one another, but I think a lot of companies will fall into the fourth category could be the third easy. So the third categories enhancer. So after you go for enabler or to engage, go to enhancer. These are companies that use technology. It's not their core product, but they find a way to leverage their technology that can influence the whole space itself. And lastly that you have companies that are what you would call a user, which is they might use technology, but it's not really their flesh and blood or to their core, to their identity as a product. Enhancers are really fascinating to me because these are companies where they might do one thing, but it turns out that they have an incredibly good product somewhere else. So when I think about someone like Chick fil A, for example, is a really good example of this. They're very good at chicken sandwiches and in meals, but what they're also really good about doing is bridging community through their media platforms. So they're actually launching an app to bring families get It's not food ordering app, but it's simply a way to bridge their communities together.

To one another, but I think a lot of companies will fall into the fourth category could be the third easy. So the third categories enhancer. So after you go for enabler or to engage, go to enhancer. These are companies that use technology. It's not their core product, but they find a way to leverage their technology that can influence the whole space itself. And lastly that you have companies that are what you would call a user, which is they might use technology, but it's not really their flesh and blood or to their core, to their identity as a product. Enhancers are really fascinating to me because these are companies where they might do one thing, but it turns out that they have an incredibly good product somewhere else. So when I think about someone like Chick fil A, for example, is a really good example of this. They're very good at chicken sandwiches and in meals, but what they're also really good about doing is bridging community through their media platforms. So they're actually launching an app to bring families get It's not food ordering app, but it's simply a way to bridge their communities together.

And that just launched in the last week.

And that just launched in the last week.

This is really kind of this example of they went from being kind of a user where we have really good technology for making our meals, but then they realize, oh, we have really good logistics technology because have you ever really waited in a long line at Pick fil a?

This is really kind of this example of they went from being kind of a user where we have really good technology for making our meals, but then they realize, oh, we have really good logistics technology because have you ever really waited in a long line at Pick fil a?

No?

No?

And then we have really good ability connect with people.

And then we have really good ability connect with people.

So they actually now sell a lot of their logistics technologies and advise companies on how to improve their retail footprint or they're telling people how to make apps, and this is something I think is really important. They've gone from what you call a user at the end of the spectrum of people just use technology to enhancing leaning into this technology idea and raising it.

So they actually now sell a lot of their logistics technologies and advise companies on how to improve their retail footprint or they're telling people how to make apps, and this is something I think is really important. They've gone from what you call a user at the end of the spectrum of people just use technology to enhancing leaning into this technology idea and raising it.

Chick fil A is a good example of this.

Chick fil A is a good example of this.

Delta who is keynoting at CS is another great example of this.

Delta who is keynoting at CS is another great example of this.

We think of that as an airline, but really at the.

We think of that as an airline, but really at the.

End of the day, they've pioneered a lot of the artificial intelligence that's used to track flight algorithms, assess weather patterns to avoid delays, as well as creating technology that that leverages sort of multi virtual reality or something called parallel reality to allow different customers and passengers to have a seamless flight experience that's very individualized. That's the type of technology that they're leaning into adopting, and then can easily export to others in the field should they want to. And I think at the end of the day, it's assess your relationship. Am I just using technology? Or can I enhance this technology industry by really leaning into what works for me?

End of the day, they've pioneered a lot of the artificial intelligence that's used to track flight algorithms, assess weather patterns to avoid delays, as well as creating technology that that leverages sort of multi virtual reality or something called parallel reality to allow different customers and passengers to have a seamless flight experience that's very individualized. That's the type of technology that they're leaning into adopting, and then can easily export to others in the field should they want to. And I think at the end of the day, it's assess your relationship. Am I just using technology? Or can I enhance this technology industry by really leaning into what works for me?

And I think radio is a good example of this.

And I think radio is a good example of this.

No one has better localized data I think in the world about customers in general, in terms of they have these local markets, they know what their users want, their consumers want in this area that tourra data is invaluable to things like an AI program. And you can look to Reddit, who monetize and leverage their AI content quite successfully. They're at ces and they've gone revenue growth. I would look at someone where it's radio saying well, what can we do with our data to maybe actually lean forward and be engaging with technology rather than AI coming at.

No one has better localized data I think in the world about customers in general, in terms of they have these local markets, they know what their users want, their consumers want in this area that tourra data is invaluable to things like an AI program. And you can look to Reddit, who monetize and leverage their AI content quite successfully. They're at ces and they've gone revenue growth. I would look at someone where it's radio saying well, what can we do with our data to maybe actually lean forward and be engaging with technology rather than AI coming at.

Us and feeling like we're reacting all the time.

Us and feeling like we're reacting all the time.

So over the years, the show is really deeply immersed in the automotive business and specifically even the connected car when we talk about radio or entertainment, and now, of course with EV being an important development over the years, you add that in what can we expect at this show to see in terms of automotive innovation?

So over the years, the show is really deeply immersed in the automotive business and specifically even the connected car when we talk about radio or entertainment, and now, of course with EV being an important development over the years, you add that in what can we expect at this show to see in terms of automotive innovation?

Yeah, of course, Well, I think you're correct. We lean into it.

Yeah, of course, Well, I think you're correct. We lean into it.

Arguably, we're the largest mobility show, and I use mobility very intentionally because it's all it's more than just the auto, and I think that there's four pathways where you'll see mobility change. The electric story is still massive, and we'll see EV makers from across the world, not just the US, but from Korea, from China, even showcasing where electric cars are going. But I say electrification very intentionally because we'll have companies like Brunswick they're showcasing electric boating technology. And then there's a whole infrastructure component to it that's vitally important because it's not just about how can we empower our cars more efficiently, But when you start introducing new charging technology from exhibitors at the show, like link charging in LG, you're starting to really think how the.

Arguably, we're the largest mobility show, and I use mobility very intentionally because it's all it's more than just the auto, and I think that there's four pathways where you'll see mobility change. The electric story is still massive, and we'll see EV makers from across the world, not just the US, but from Korea, from China, even showcasing where electric cars are going. But I say electrification very intentionally because we'll have companies like Brunswick they're showcasing electric boating technology. And then there's a whole infrastructure component to it that's vitally important because it's not just about how can we empower our cars more efficiently, But when you start introducing new charging technology from exhibitors at the show, like link charging in LG, you're starting to really think how the.

Grid is more sustainable.

Grid is more sustainable.

There's a sustainability story that's equally important that's occurring under here. That's one path. The other two are very linked. This is sensors and self driving. Essentially, how do you are autonomous vehicles be more correct, actually you would want to say autonous vehicles because sometimes boating technology, you're boating, you're not driving or flying in some cases, because there will be exhibits showcasing autonomous flying vehicles like Invo station. But you think about it on autonomus vehicles and you think about sensors, which is how do you get more information onto your car itself? How does it become essentially a software divide vehicle or a smart smart device on wheels, And a lot of that is advanced safety data, more data referring to just the health of the car in general in terms of power output. But then there's also an infotainment story, which is a lot more personalized audio, a lot more personalized heads up displays, and immersive experiences in there. That's the second and third pathways combined. The last one is industrials, and I think that's something that has really grown in our show over the years, which is how do you take wattrification, autonomous capabilities, and others and apply it outside the passenger themselves.

There's a sustainability story that's equally important that's occurring under here. That's one path. The other two are very linked. This is sensors and self driving. Essentially, how do you are autonomous vehicles be more correct, actually you would want to say autonous vehicles because sometimes boating technology, you're boating, you're not driving or flying in some cases, because there will be exhibits showcasing autonomous flying vehicles like Invo station. But you think about it on autonomus vehicles and you think about sensors, which is how do you get more information onto your car itself? How does it become essentially a software divide vehicle or a smart smart device on wheels, And a lot of that is advanced safety data, more data referring to just the health of the car in general in terms of power output. But then there's also an infotainment story, which is a lot more personalized audio, a lot more personalized heads up displays, and immersive experiences in there. That's the second and third pathways combined. The last one is industrials, and I think that's something that has really grown in our show over the years, which is how do you take wattrification, autonomous capabilities, and others and apply it outside the passenger themselves.

And now our show, you'll see the show.

And now our show, you'll see the show.

You're seeing companies like Caboda, Oshkosh, Deer, Caterpillar, all these what I call the big truck companies. The little kidd of me is so excited walking across the floor. But how are they making a lot of the industries I've described that they work in are like mining or heavy industrials. How do you make those safer and more sustainable? Well, maybe you take some of the innovation that's occurring in the automotive that we know and mobility in general and apply it to your industry. And that's what's clearly happening on the show.

You're seeing companies like Caboda, Oshkosh, Deer, Caterpillar, all these what I call the big truck companies. The little kidd of me is so excited walking across the floor. But how are they making a lot of the industries I've described that they work in are like mining or heavy industrials. How do you make those safer and more sustainable? Well, maybe you take some of the innovation that's occurring in the automotive that we know and mobility in general and apply it to your industry. And that's what's clearly happening on the show.

For this year. So in closing, as a futurist, do you size up particular trends at each show that you then start dissecting as the year progresses to see if it's truly a trend or just a little bit of a blip or a fad or a marketing plan or something. How do you see the future and is there one or two things that you're going to be sniffing around for in particular at this year's show?

For this year. So in closing, as a futurist, do you size up particular trends at each show that you then start dissecting as the year progresses to see if it's truly a trend or just a little bit of a blip or a fad or a marketing plan or something. How do you see the future and is there one or two things that you're going to be sniffing around for in particular at this year's show?

Yeah, No, that's God, this is such a good question. It's a bit of all of the above, right. Some of it is I yeah, as a futurist that I think people maybe evokes like I don't know, like Tony Stark meets Crystal Ball, predictions of what's happening next. Oftentimes it's a lot of reading, and it's a lot of just looking and trying to get understan what the show looks like. But then when you get to the show, the beauty is as much as I can try to predict a trend, I'll be surprised. I am surprised every year by something on the floor. So what I do is I go back and I do start to parse out.

Yeah, No, that's God, this is such a good question. It's a bit of all of the above, right. Some of it is I yeah, as a futurist that I think people maybe evokes like I don't know, like Tony Stark meets Crystal Ball, predictions of what's happening next. Oftentimes it's a lot of reading, and it's a lot of just looking and trying to get understan what the show looks like. But then when you get to the show, the beauty is as much as I can try to predict a trend, I'll be surprised. I am surprised every year by something on the floor. So what I do is I go back and I do start to parse out.

Well, what are we seeing?

Well, what are we seeing?

And I think one of the big ones is last year going to the show, every company was like, we're an AI company.

And I think one of the big ones is last year going to the show, every company was like, we're an AI company.

We're an AI company.

We're an AI company.

Genera of AI and chat GPT have taken off, and they have, but how do you contextualize that into something larger? And I think CEUs twenty twenty five and the years ahead will really reframe AI where it's not just about generative I it's about a fundamental evolution in terms of how we relate to tech. There is an old phrase and I used to do this consulting with the Coastcard, called digital transformation. It's been around for sixteen years. How do companies get on the cloud?

Genera of AI and chat GPT have taken off, and they have, but how do you contextualize that into something larger? And I think CEUs twenty twenty five and the years ahead will really reframe AI where it's not just about generative I it's about a fundamental evolution in terms of how we relate to tech. There is an old phrase and I used to do this consulting with the Coastcard, called digital transformation. It's been around for sixteen years. How do companies get on the cloud?

How do they get cyber? How do they get AI?

How do they get cyber? How do they get AI?

I don't think that's an up to date term anymore, and I think CS is starting to be the proger of this.

I don't think that's an up to date term anymore, and I think CS is starting to be the proger of this.

I would say it's digital coexistence.

I would say it's digital coexistence.

Arguably, when we're doing recordings for a lot of I'm sure with your podcast you're not just taking a walk with people in person. You're using zoom, You're using all these digital mediums. You are probably shopping online. Most people are working online or in an office, or learning at school or online. Arguably, our digital lives are getting to the point where they're at parity with our physical lives. So how do technologies like AI, cloud and cyber work to create this sort of ecosystem. That's the first big one that I'm seeing shape up. I was seeing shape up ahead of the show, during the show and except after the other one is how is sustainability changing? And I think this is in relation to the AI component as well. AI and data centers take a lot of power, especially when you think about the emissions that come from the data center and how much it takes to cool them. Forty to sixty percent of cooling, AI, cloud, cybersecurity, all that is coming from data centers that are pretty much found in Dulles Corridor and DC and Virgil the area.

Arguably, when we're doing recordings for a lot of I'm sure with your podcast you're not just taking a walk with people in person. You're using zoom, You're using all these digital mediums. You are probably shopping online. Most people are working online or in an office, or learning at school or online. Arguably, our digital lives are getting to the point where they're at parity with our physical lives. So how do technologies like AI, cloud and cyber work to create this sort of ecosystem. That's the first big one that I'm seeing shape up. I was seeing shape up ahead of the show, during the show and except after the other one is how is sustainability changing? And I think this is in relation to the AI component as well. AI and data centers take a lot of power, especially when you think about the emissions that come from the data center and how much it takes to cool them. Forty to sixty percent of cooling, AI, cloud, cybersecurity, all that is coming from data centers that are pretty much found in Dulles Corridor and DC and Virgil the area.

They take a lot of power.

They take a lot of power.

And so how do you rethink sustainability to really focus on what's called the energy transition? Human society has lived through two already, and this is the other part about a futurist. You have to know your history, you have to know the past. And so the first one was we went from firewood to coal as humanity. Then we went from coal to oil and fossil fuels. We're on the third one now, which is how do we get from fossil fuels to renewables because we know that there's emissions coming from fossil fuels and we know data centers take a lot of them. So we're looking at and we're seeing on the show for companies that are focusing on renewables like solar and wind. We're seeing companies that focus on that cooling issue. So HVAC innovation is more important than ever, believe it or not. And what does that mean? An energy transition? And I wouldn't be surprised. In the year to come, we're already seeing announcements of it. Nuclear is going to be forefront of a lot of conversations of how does that which is a high energy density technology that has zero emissions get involved in this transition. So those are the two that I'm watching close to this idea digital coexistence and energy transition. And at the end of the day, why are they important? Why am I spending a lot of time talking about them? They're all interconnected through a variety of technologies. Technologies oftentimes are not innovating in a vacuum. They're not just breaking through in one way or the other. As we've talked today, we've talked about how AI relates the music, how music relates to data, and we're doing this now between energy digital coexistence. That's what I look for in parts through, which is where are these overall narratives in the stories.

And so how do you rethink sustainability to really focus on what's called the energy transition? Human society has lived through two already, and this is the other part about a futurist. You have to know your history, you have to know the past. And so the first one was we went from firewood to coal as humanity. Then we went from coal to oil and fossil fuels. We're on the third one now, which is how do we get from fossil fuels to renewables because we know that there's emissions coming from fossil fuels and we know data centers take a lot of them. So we're looking at and we're seeing on the show for companies that are focusing on renewables like solar and wind. We're seeing companies that focus on that cooling issue. So HVAC innovation is more important than ever, believe it or not. And what does that mean? An energy transition? And I wouldn't be surprised. In the year to come, we're already seeing announcements of it. Nuclear is going to be forefront of a lot of conversations of how does that which is a high energy density technology that has zero emissions get involved in this transition. So those are the two that I'm watching close to this idea digital coexistence and energy transition. And at the end of the day, why are they important? Why am I spending a lot of time talking about them? They're all interconnected through a variety of technologies. Technologies oftentimes are not innovating in a vacuum. They're not just breaking through in one way or the other. As we've talked today, we've talked about how AI relates the music, how music relates to data, and we're doing this now between energy digital coexistence. That's what I look for in parts through, which is where are these overall narratives in the stories.

Oh, Brian did a great job making very complex issues digestible.

Oh, Brian did a great job making very complex issues digestible.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

For all this. Always excited to be at the big show, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and thanks for being on taking a walk.

For all this. Always excited to be at the big show, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and thanks for being on taking a walk.

Thank you so much, Buzz, it was an absolute pleasure. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast.

Thank you so much, Buzz, it was an absolute pleasure. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast.

Share this and other episodes with you friends, and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Share this and other episodes with you friends, and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.