Title: Shifting Gears: The Techno-Libertarian Shift and Its Impact on Technological Innovation
The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in glitzy Las Vegas concluded, showcasing innovations such as robotics, AI, smartglasses, 3D VR displays, rollable laptops, transparent TVs, in-dash auto displays, and even an electric salt spoon to cut down on sodium consumption.
Simultaneously, Gary Shapiro, the CES's long-time leader and a prominent figure in the tech industry, released his fourth book, Pivot or Die: How Leaders Thrive When Everything Changes. The book provides valuable lessons on resilience and evolution in a dynamic environment, with reviewers praising its insights.
CES's role in fostering innovation is undeniable. Shapiro, a pioneer in his own right, has played a significant part in this, from his early achievements in antitrust battles to his successful transition of CES to a digital-forward format during the COVID-19 pandemic. At CES events, visionaries, investors, and creatives converge, with memorable moments like Black Eyed Peas co-founder will.i.am being introduced to inventor Dean Kamen just feet away from actress Lucy Lawless at one event.
As we explore Pivot or Die, it's important to consider its relevance in the context of policy, especially when considering an incoming deregulatory-minded administration and Congress. Shapiro's book is filled with opposition to tech mandates and bans, emphasizing that the Consumer Technology Association does not seek government funding, despite member pressures.
The book highlights successful pivots, such as Apple's shift to mobile devices and Amazon's move to cloud computing, as well as failed attempts to pivot. It also discusses pivots necessitated by external forces, such as government regulations and pandemics. Shapiro celebrates visionary founders, embodying the characteristics he admires in their transformative work.
Shapiro argues that a "pivot" is an intentional change in direction, not a departure from core beliefs or a disregard for ethical principles. Successful leaders, according to him, are those who can identify opportunities for change and adapt accordingly.
In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, overregulation can pose significant challenges to innovation. Compliance costs, data access restrictions, innovation stifling, and regulatory uncertainty can all hinder progress. A property rights matrix, however, can help address these issues. By providing clear guidelines, balanced regulation, adaptability, stakeholder involvement, and efficient resource allocation, a property rights matrix can ensure that technological advancements occur while protecting individual rights.
In a rapidly evolving technological world, resilience and adaptability are essential for businesses to thrive. Shapiro's Pivot or Die offers insightful lessons on how leaders can pivot effectively, adapting to a changing landscape and driving innovation. At the same time, a property rights matrix can serve as a framework to balance the need for innovation with the protection of individual rights and ensure technological progress moves forward.
- The Internet of Things (IoT) was one of the innovations showcased at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), featuring smart devices and technologies that connect to the internet.
- In his book, Pivot or Die, Gary Shapiro discusses the importance of innovation in the tech industry and the challenges posed by overregulation, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart cities.
- As regulators consider the role of antitrust laws in the tech sector, the Consumer Technology Association, led by Shapiro, opposes tech mandates and bans, emphasizing the need for property rights and balanced regulation to foster innovation.
- In the face of regulatory challenges, a property rights matrix can provide a framework for balancing the need for innovation with the protection of individual rights, ensuring that advancements in technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) can continue to drive progress in smart cities and beyond.
