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Archives for February 2026

Kinsey Fabrizio Named CEO of the Consumer Technology Association

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Today, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) — owner and producer of CES — announced that Kinsey Fabrizio will become president and CEO, effective May 1, 2026. Long-time leader Gary Shapiro will continue to serve as executive chair, leading CTA’s executive board and remaining a spokesperson for CTA and CES.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair at CTA, and Kinsey Fabrizio, President of CTA, attend CES 2026 Preview at The House at 1229 on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)

This is a strong leadership transition for CTA and CES, reflecting a deep understanding of where tech and policy are headed.

Kinsey has been a driving force at CTA since 2008, overseeing strategy and growth for both the association and CES. She’s a pioneer in digital health, having created CTA’s Health Division and launched healthcare provider programming at CES. In 2025, she testified before Congress advocating for a federal framework for artificial intelligence.

Before her rise to the presidency, Kinsey spearheaded CES’s expansion into new product categories, modernized CTA’s membership infrastructure, and played a key role in bringing emerging gig-economy and internet companies into the fold. She holds a BA from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and serves on the George Mason University Costello College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.

Gary Shapiro’s impact over more than 35 years at the helm of CTA is hard to overstate — from championing the transition to HDTV and leading on landmark policy battles like the Betamax case and SOPA/PIPA, to growing CES into the largest annual trade show in the United States. We’re glad he’ll remain actively involved as Executive Chair.

Kinsey’s leadership has already shaped critical conversations around AI. The Washington AI Network is excited to see what comes next for the organization and the broader tech ecosystem. 

Washington AI Network Honors Senators McCormick and Gillibrand for Early Leadership on AI Policy

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington AI Network honored Senators Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) with its First Mover Award, recognizing their early leadership in shaping U.S. policy, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 31: (L-R) Tammy Haddad, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Dave McCormick, with awards, attend the Pre-Alfalfa breakfast and First Mover Award Presentation honoring Senators Dave McCormick and Kirsten Gillibrand hosted by Washington AI Network at Ned’s Club Washington DC on January 31, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)

The awards were presented by Washington AI Network founder Tammy Haddad during the organization’s second annual Pre-Alfalfa Breakfast, held at Ned’s Club. The gathering convened senior leaders from government, industry, and the diplomatic community for an off-the-record discussion on the future of AI governance and innovation.

Senator McCormick was recognized for his work linking artificial intelligence to energy strategy, workforce development, and long-term economic growth. Through initiatives such as Pennsylvania’s first Energy and Innovation Summit, McCormick has elevated the Commonwealth’s role in the national AI ecosystem and highlighted how public-private partnerships can deploy AI at scale to strengthen regional and national competitiveness.

“This award is reflective of a moment,” McCormick said, describing the current period as “the most consequential moment in our lifetime — and possibly in humankind.” He likened the AI transition to “the industrial revolution on steroids,” emphasizing both its transformative potential and its risks. “The opportunities are unbounded,” he said, “but the disruption and challenges to society are enormous.”

Senator Gillibrand was honored for her early and sustained leadership on digital assets and emerging technology policy. As a principal architect of the bipartisan Lummis–Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, she helped craft the Senate’s first comprehensive framework to define digital assets, clarify regulatory jurisdiction, and support responsible innovation in the U.S. Her approach has focused on establishing guardrails before crises force reactive policymaking.

(L-R) Tammy Haddad, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Dave McCormick (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)
(L-R) Elizabeth Falcone and Jackie Rooney (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)
(L-R) Dina Powell and Dave McCormick (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)
(L-R) Jonathan Martin, Walter Isaacson, Betsy Fischer Martin (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)
(L-R) Toni Bush and Dwight Bush (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)
(L-R) Donna Shalala and Representative Debbie Dingell (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Washington AI Network)

“AI is truly changing who we are as a nation — what our economy will look like, how we compete globally, and how we secure our future,” Gillibrand said. “If we hesitate even for a minute, we will not be able to be secure.” She added that lawmakers and stakeholders must work together, calling AI “the most important and urgent issue” facing policymakers today. Gillibrand expressed optimism that Congress will soon advance bipartisan legislation establishing “rules of the road” for digital assets. The program also featured remarks by biographer Walter Isaacson, who reflected on American leadership, innovation, and civic values ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Attendees received copies of his newest book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.