The 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up in Las Vegas on Sunday, Jan. 8 and featured several companies that showcased the future in technology, AI and smart products. It began on Thursday, Jan. 5.

The annual four-day event, which was on hiatus during the pandemic, returned with cutting-edge technology such as smart cars, fridges, toilets and more, as well as gadgets for the metaverse, mini-LED televisions and 3D platforms.

Many Black entrepreneurs and speakers took the centre stage as keynote speakers, representing their companies and firms across a wide variety of topics including sustainability, 5G, digital health, food technology, virtual reality (VR) tech, Web3 and the metaverse, marketing and advertising on social media, cryptocurrency, smart home systems, and more.

Following keynote addresses from AMD and BMW, Carmichael Roberts, partner, investment committee, Breakthrough Energy Ventures founder and managing partner of Material Impact, discussed how technological improvements and purpose-driven sustainability are tackling one of the world's biggest problems — feeding a population that is expanding. He also discussed SOURCE, a company he owns that provides access to clean water through Hydropanel technology and renewable resources powered by the sun.

Also, a feature of the C Space Keynote: Building Connection & Community in a Non-Stop World discussion was Travis Montaque, chief executive officer of Group Black, who talked about how marketing experts capture the attention and loyalty of their most ardent customers and followers. The keynote discussion and panel covered many topics, including on-demand entertainment, in-flight experiences and more.

Other Black entrepreneurs and professionals on hand at CES 2023 include:

• Byron Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group

• Omi Bell, CEO of Black Girl Ventures

• Mike Burns, co-founder and managing partner at The Burns Brothers Inc.

• Tonya Evans, professor at Penn State Dickinson Law

• Latasha Gillespie, global head of DEIA at Amazon Studios

• Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP

• Erik Moore, founder/managing director of Base Ventures

• Tiffany Moore Sr., vice-president, political and industry affairs at Consumer Technology Association (CTA)

• Ulili Onovakpuri, managing partner at Kapor Capital

• Ben Arnold, industry analyst at The NPD Group

• Josh Aviv, CEO of Sparkcharge Corp.

• Stephen Bailey, co-founder and CEO at ExecOnline

• Nat Beuse, vice president of safety at Aurora Operations

In total, there were more than 3,200 exhibitors. Learn more about the topics discussed here.