CES Spotlights Aging and AI Informing Pittsburgh's Role in Longevity

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) returned to CES® in Las Vegas this year with a simple question: which emerging technologies are most likely to change how we support aging, safety and care in our communities?

Across exhibit halls and stages, the clearest trend was a renewed focus on aging and longevity, with new devices, robotics and AI-driven services positioned as tools to help people live longer, healthier, and more independent lives. That emphasis closely aligns with JHF’s long-standing priorities in aging, patient safety, workforce development, and equitable care.

Many of the most visible innovations centered on supporting older adults outside of traditional clinical settings. Consumer-facing diagnostic tools were ubiquitous, including scales, toilets, “longevity mirrors” and digital twins that promised at-personalized home data on gait, balance, skin health, and other markers tied to aging and chronic disease management. These tools reflect a growing shift toward prevention and earlier detection, which are essential to keeping all populations, particularly older adults, healthier and at home longer. For JHF, this trend reinforces the potential technology holds to strengthen community-based care models and reduce avoidable escalation into emergency, inpatient, or long-term care.

Robotics and assistive technologies were another major presence. Exhibits ranged from increasingly sophisticated exoskeletons (and exoskins) to robotics capable of delicate, skilled actions. In a healthcare context, these innovations point toward new ways to support mobility, reduce fall risk, and enhance independence. They also suggest possible applications for care environments, where robotics could support tasks that help clinicians focus on higher-value work. For JHF, these developments connect directly to its commitment to improving outcomes for older adults while exploring practical tools that can enhance safety and support caregivers and healthcare workers.

JHF’s President and CEO Karen Wolk Feinstein, Executive Vice President Danny Rosen, and Chief Program and Strategy Officer Nancy Zionts, also noted that the conversation around AI has matured with vendors and researchers emphasizing practical implementation and the importance of governance, safety and accountability. As agentic AI and remote monitoring tools become more common, they have the potential to identify early signs of deterioration, support medication adherence, and reduce preventable hospitalizations.

At the same time, they planted the seeds for renewed opportunities for workforce training, and integration of remote monitoring fits into routine workflows. The Foundation sees this as an important alignment with its workforce development priorities as technology adoption will only succeed if the workforce is prepared to use it safely, interpret data, and integrate new tools into everyday practice.

In addition to long-standing learning tracks dedicated to Digital Health, this year CES saw a dramatic growth in the number of sessions and attendees interested in AgeTech offered through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). For the first time at CES, an entire stage was devoted to accessibility, highlighting universal design innovations with the potential to help older adults and people with disabilities remain engaged in daily life. This emphasis aligns with JHF’s focus on equity and reducing barriers for vulnerable populations.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Allegheny Conference on Community & Economic Development convened a high-profile panel on a defining infrastructure challenge of the AI era: scaling data centers without overwhelming the electrical grid or local communities. Moderated by PwC’s Katie Mominee, panelists included representatives of Amazon, Westinghouse Electric Company, Synopsis, and Exus Energy, who framed Pittsburgh’s engineering talent, energy assets, and industrial reinvention as advantages that position the region to lead in sustainable, AI-ready development. Earflo, based out of Pittsburgh and created by ENT Surgeon and University of Pittsburgh Professor Peter L. Santa Maria, MD, PhD, was named the Best Innovation in Digital Health for CES 2026.

Dr. Feinstein described the CES experience as a reminder that innovation must be paired with accountability and local engagement. Overall, CES reinforced a practical takeaway that reflects the Foundation's approach to innovation: technology will only deliver real value if it is safe, accessible, economically feasible, and integrated into community systems. Moving forward, JHF will continue convening health leaders, technology developers and community partners to identify evidence-based pathways for adoption and to ensure that emerging tools translate into meaningful improvements for patients and communities.

Learn more about the high-powered Pittsburgh panel at CES: Building Sustainable Data Centers; from Forbes, “Beyond AI and Robots, CES Surprises with Longevity and Blockchain.”