by Dot Cannon

“At its core, innovation is about surprise,” said Consumer Technology Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

Day One of CES®  2019, in Las Vegas on Tuesday, underscored that statement.

“I constantly challenge myself and others to think like a ninja,” Gary told the audience during the morning’s opening keynote session.

“Ninjas do the unexpected.  And in (doing so), they produce value.”

(Speaking of which–Gary has a brand-new book, launched at Day One!  He’ll be doing book signings throughout CES®  2019,)

Positive disruption

The unexpected, in just the areas we saw, included technical and social innovation.

Gary pointed out that, with emerging global technologies, quality of life for individuals can be at risk.

“We need to develop partnerships between the public and private sectors, so the governments work with industries,” he said.  “Because consumers want products and services they know they can trust.

“… I’m pleased to announce today that we’re launching a program to track our progress as an industry, and how much we emit, in terms of greenhouse gas (emissions),” Gary said.  “We’ll also recognize companies (who lessen their impact on the environment).”

A second social area in which CTA was innovating, he added, was in the area of talent.  Often, he continued, opportunities in industry aren’t inclusive.

“That’s why I’m pleased to announce today that CTA will invest ten million dollars in (ventures) that are focused on underrepresented founders, women-led startups and diverse leadership.”

The audience cheered and applauded.

Sensors and a future path

During the keynote presentation, IBM Chairman, President and CEO Ginni Rometty announced IBM’s new sensor partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation.   IBM, she said, now has a sensor that can aid in the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.  This particular sensor works by analyzing fingernails!

Another area which IBM was innovating, Ginni continued, was a global weather prediction system.

“Something you probably didn’t realize, (with) a forecast,” she said.   “What’s new in this model, (is that) it will run every hour.  Only the U.S. can run every hour.  The rest of the world?  Once, twice a day.”

The ability to measure barometric pressure reliably whether in “Kenya or Kansas”, would, she said, be a boon in the agricultural field.  But travel was another major area.

“Airplanes, every five seconds, data,” Ginni told the audience.    “If you are on an airplane, you should be able to forecast (turbulence) an hour ahead.”

Travel, food safety and quantum computing were areas Ginni and her guests would go on to explore, during her keynote session.  But perhaps one of the most exciting standout moments was in the area of education.

What’s next for society

“There’s much discussion about AI,” Ginni said.  “AI can destroy jobs, it will build jobs, but I know…100 percent of (future) jobs will be different.”

To train a future workforce, she continued, IBM, eight years ago, started a program called “PTECH”, or “Pathway to Technology” schools.

The program, which started in Brooklyn, is a “six-year high school” where graduates receive both a high school diploma and a college associate degree.

“No student debt,” Ginni said.  “…There are now 200 of these high schools, in 11 states, 13 countries.  A hundred twenty-five thousand kids are coming through a pipeline…It’s a different path.  We call it ‘new-collar jobs'”.

Just prior to the keynote session conclusion, she also announced another program.

The CTA™ Apprenticeship Coalition, which IBM developed in partnership with CTA™, includes numerous companies, including Sprint, Ford, Canon and Toyota.

In conclusion, Ginni introduced five members of the apprenticeship program who “had come to technology from five very different paths.”

“This, to me, is what it means to build an inclusive society,” she said.

Other areas of unexpected

Of course, CES®  2019 has more to see than any ten attendees could explore, from now through Friday.   This year’s show has eleven venues and more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space.

In just the Eureka Park®  startup area alone, more than 1200 startups were exhibiting.

A definite high point of the morning was the robotics pitch competition!

A baby monitor that measured infants’ breathing, a cooking robot and a hand wearable, to control robots and drones, were among the competitors.

And, the top prize winner:

A 3D printing technology that can print from plastic trash!

Time to take a ride

Another favorite  “unexpected’ happened towards the end of the day.

We had the opportunity…

…to ride a suitcase, at about five mph! 

(No, you didn’t misread that!  Wait till you hear our upcoming interview with Tim Ryan, of Modobag!)

Wow, what a great first day, CES®  2019!  We can’t wait for Day Two.