CES 2022 Begins – Here’s What You Can Expect

CES 2022, one of the world’s biggest technology trade shows, returns to in-person after last year’s digital show. Dispute record-breaking infection rates thanks to the Omicron variant, CES 2022 will go on, but differently. 

All attendees are required to wear masks, show proof of vaccination, and will have access to tests. 

Consumer Technology Association, (CTA) which hosts the event, has stated that more than 2,200 exhibitors committed and over 3,300 members of the media have registered for in-person attendance. There will also be a digital show just like last year. 

Many small businesses will be in attendance, but some organizations have canceled their in-person appearance. Namely, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Intel, and Meta. CTA president Gary Shapiro made a statement: 

“CES will and must go on.

“It will have many more small companies than large ones. It may have big gaps on the show floor. Certainly, it will be different from previous years. It may be messy. But innovation is messy. It is risky and uncomfortable.” 

I’m not sure innovation being “messy” has much to do with a pandemic but, sure. It’s messy, Gary. 

The strong argument for keeping CES 2022 in-person this year is likely to keep small businesses from losing important opportunities. It does appear that the show is taking the Omicron variant very seriously and making all the decisions based on the science as they learn them. 

We can expect a good show from CES this year.

Big Showing From The Auto Industry

While General Motors (GM) has canceled their in-person appearance, CEO Mary Barra will deliver the opening keynote address. She is likely to share the company’s vision for the eventual adoption of electric vehicles. 

GM revealed their all-electric pickup truck. And it looks kinda awesome. 

Policy And The Future Of Tech

Privacy laws, cyber-attacks, regulating cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence are all on people’s minds from a policy perspective. 

As the internet evolves into Web3 (which may or may not just be a marketing term, but that’s another topic), there are a lot of hard questions about how we can remain safe in an increasingly digital world. 

How do we regulate big tech as they grow larger and larger? We will discuss at CES 2022. 

And, Of Course, Health Tech Is On Display

There will be new health gadgets, apps, and services all related to telehealth. And, of course, the whole pandemic has health on everyone’s minds. 

For example, how in the hell will a mobile app-enabled, at-home COVID-19 test work? 

Return To Normal?

This is a major test for all future in-person events. CES 2022 will be one of the largest in-person trade show since pre-COVID. 

In the before times, in the long, long ago. 

“We are tracking the emerging news and science around the new Omicron variant.
“We will continue to monitor and adjust our plans and health protocols as necessary.”