Source: Peatix

CES, one of the world's largest technology trade shows, is held every January in Las Vegas, USA. It is a highly anticipated event that predicts the trends of the year. At last year's CES 2025, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang's keynote speech attracted a lot of attention, giving a glimpse into the accelerating pace of AI implementation.

While electronics companies are likely to have a less prominent presence among exhibitors at CES 2026, AMD Chairman and CEO Lisa Su and McKinsey's global managing partner are scheduled to give keynote speeches, making it an even more noteworthy event for AI and business strategies.

Therefore, "AI First Lounge Vol.4" is titled "The reality and future of AI as reflected in CES," and will bring you the "exciting future" and "real future" that the Gizmodo Japan editorial team and the Business Insider Japan/Tech Insider editorial team brought back from the event.

The editors-in-chief of both Gizmodo Japan and Business Insider Japan will also be speaking, making this a rare opportunity to fully showcase the insights gained from CES.

In the second half of the event, there will be a special session with Microsoft Japan, which is sponsoring the event, where they will explain how to use Copilot in everyday life and in more advanced ways.

About the AI First Lounge
AI First Approach
AI First Line
AI First Step

This event will focus on three "AI First" themes, delivering both exciting and realistic information about the future of AI, and will aim to build a strong community with users and companies.

The event is being held jointly by Tech Insider, a vertical media outlet of Business Insider Japan, a business media outlet, and Gizmodo Japan, one of Japan's largest gadget media outlets.

▼Recommended for these people
・I want to know about the cutting edge of AI
・Take the first step in utilizing AI
・Want to exchange information on AI utilization
・I want to know the information I got at CES 2026

▼Price
Free

▼Event date and time (planned)
Friday, January 16, 2026 Doors open at 17:00 Start at 17:20 End at 20:30

▼Venue
BABY The Coffee Brew Club (3F Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado", 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
https://baby.thecbc.jp/

▼Timetable (planned)
▽17:20-17:30 Opening

▽17:30-18:00 Session 1
"The exciting future I felt at CES 2026" (tentative title)
Tech Insider Editor-in-Chief Yutaro Kobayashi talks to Gizmodo Japan's editorial team about the exciting future of AI and noteworthy products they saw at CES 2026.

▽18:10-18:40 Session 2
"AI and the economy: is the future really bright?" (tentative title)
The interview will be conducted by Gizmodo Japan Editor-in-Chief Kazumi Oda, alongside Business Insider Japan News Editor-in-Chief Ito Yu and Tech Insider Editorial Chief Kobayashi Yutaro.

▽18:50-19:20 Session 3
"Learn with Microsoft: How to Make the Most of Copilot" (tentative title)
Tsunato of the Gizmodo Japan editorial team and Kobayashi, editor-in-chief of Tech Insider, who regularly use Copilot, will introduce examples of how they use Copilot and Microsoft 365 in their coverage of CES and in their daily work. A Microsoft representative will then provide a deeper explanation of how Copilot is used.

▽19:30-19:50 Q&A

▽19:50-20:30 Social gathering

▼Speakers

Kazumi Oda, Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo Japan

He has experience in editing, planning, and advertising at major music publishers, MTV JAPAN, and CyberAgent, and has been involved in media management that crosses the boundaries of technology and culture. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo Japan, driving the brand's growth by promoting an editorial strategy that integrates articles, videos, events, and commerce. He also focuses on product development and partnership building for GIZMART, reporting on AI and next-generation technologies, and researching the technological development and design fields of domestic manufacturers. In recent years, he has developed a strong interest in media design in the age of generative AI, co-creation with local industries, and modular synth culture as a hobby.

Shigeru Nishitani Richard, Chief of International & Business Development, Gizmodo Japan

He has been with the Gizmodo Japan editorial team since 2017. He covers events and organizations around the world, focusing on gadgets, technology, and science, and produces content at Gizmodo Japan that conveys their appeal and importance.

Koichiro Tsunato, Video Unit Chair, Gizmodo Japan

He joined Gizmodo Japan as an editor in 2018. In 2019, he was involved in the launch of the YouTube channel, and has been involved in planning and appearing on it. Currently, he works in management as the head of the video unit, while also utilizing his previous engineering experience to develop original media products.

Yuujin Nakahashi, Gizmodo Japan Editorial Department

After gaining experience at a PR company, he joined the Gizmodo Japan editorial department in 2024. As a YouTube video director, he introduces technology and products through planning, filming, and appearing in videos.

Sage Chen, Gizmodo Japan Editorial Department

After working as a fashion editor, she joined the Gizmodo editorial department in October 2025. She writes articles, plans, shoots, stars, edits, and manages short videos.

Yu Ito, News Editor-in-Chief, Business Insider Japan

Since the early 2000s, he has been working for magazines published by major IT publishers and PC/IT weekly magazines, focusing on B2C technology in general, from hardware to web services. He joined Business Insider Japan as one of its original members in 2017, and has held his current position since January 2020. He will also serve as a director of the Internet Media Association from 2023. In recent years, he has been covering topics such as the industrial use of generative AI, digital transformation at large companies, and the capital policies of domestic startups.

Yutaro Kobayashi, Editor-in-Chief of Tech Insider

In April 2012, while still a university student, he joined the Weekly ASCII editorial department. He has covered a wide range of topics, including smartphones, networks, PCs, and fintech, for various media outlets, including the web, magazines, and e-books. He has been an editor and reporter for Business Insider Japan since January 2018. He has also served as a video producer for Business Insider Japan since 2022. He has been in his current position since January 2024.

Junta Sakai, Senior Category Manager, Microsoft 365 Strategy Division, Microsoft Japan

He is currently in charge of product marketing for Microsoft 365 consumer products at Microsoft Japan. After graduating from university, he has been with the company for over 20 years, driving a wide range of sales promotion initiatives for Microsoft consumer products, including devices and software, in the Japanese market through collaboration with retail and e-commerce partners. In recent years, he has been in charge of sales strategy and promotional initiatives for Microsoft 365, a subscription-based productivity suite. He is also focused on the market introduction and user value appeal of generative AI features, including Copilot in Microsoft 365, and is working on how to expand the connection between generative AI and everyday work and life.

<Venue provided>
BABY THE COFFEE BREW CLUB
Address: 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado 3F
instagram: baby.thecbc

【Notes】
・Alcoholic beverages will be served at this event. By law, drinking by anyone under the age of 20 is strictly prohibited.
・We do not serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 20.
・We may ask you to prove your age when you enter the venue. Please present your ID.
The event and organizers cannot take any responsibility if anyone under the age of 20 accidentally consumes alcohol.

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Venue