Google, GM others join retreat from CES due to hike in COVID-19 cases

Due to escalating COVID-19 infections, GM, Alphabet Inc.’s Google, and its self-driving auto-
technology business Waymo joined the list of companies that will no longer attend the Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in person early next month.
On Jan. 5, GM Chief Executive Mary Barra was set to deliver the keynote address at the company’s
annual conference, during which the corporation would have unveiled its electrified Silverado pickup
truck for the first time. Barra will deliver her speech and presentation from afar, according to a
spokesman.
“With our activation at CES 2022 in January, we have decided to switch to an all-digital approach,” the
automaker said in a statement. “On January 5, we’ll continue to share important corporate news,
including the unveiling of the Chevrolet Silverado EV,” says the firm.
“After careful thought, we have chosen to withdraw from having a presence on the show floor of CES
2022,” a Google representative said in a statement, adding that Google would continue to “find and
support virtual opportunities.”
Waymo said in a blog post that it aims to attend the Las Vegas event digitally if at all possible. The
event attracts over 180,000 people from all around the world to debate future technology and
socialise with business partners.
TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, has announced a virtual event for partners and advertisers.
Intel Corp also said on Thursday that it would reduce its CES employees.
“Our employees, partners, and customers’ health and safety are always a top priority,” the chipmaker
stated. “Our CES plans will shift to a digital-first, live experience with little on-site staff,” says the
company.
Several other firms, including Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms Inc, Twitter Inc, Lenovo
Group, AT&T Inc, and Amazon.com Inc, cancelled in-person attendance plans earlier this week, citing
the spread of Omicron as a reason.
The event will still take place in person from January 5-8, according to CES authorities, with “strong
safety measures in place,” such as vaccination requirements, masking, and the availability of COVID-
19 tests.
In a statement, CES stated, “Our aim remains to convene the industry and provide those who cannot
attend in person the option to experience the wonder of CES digitally.” “CES 2022 will be a showcase
for major innovations in global health and safety, mobility, and problem-solving.”
While it had received 42 exhibitor cancellations since last Thursday, it said that this represented less
than 7% of the exhibition floor, and that 60 more had been added.
Last month, the Omicron strain of COVID-19 was discovered in Hong Kong and southern Africa, raising
global concerns about the virus’s rapid spread. Coronavirus infections have risen dramatically in areas
where the extremely contagious Omicron has spread, prompting additional restrictions in a number of
countries.