The Role of Lighting in the AI-Powered Home

January 14, 2026

Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates, joins Derek Richardson, Founder and CEO of Deako, for a wide-ranging conversation on how lighting is becoming a core layer of the intelligent home.

The discussion explores how Deako’s plug-and-play lighting approach is removing long-standing barriers to adoption by simplifying installation, reducing costs, and making future upgrades easier for homeowners and builders alike. From there, the conversation looks at the broader evolution of lighting, including the growing role of sensors, automation, and AI in shaping more responsive and intuitive home environments.

Elizabeth and Derek examine how lighting infrastructure can support energy management, safety, security, and health and wellness use cases, from adaptive lighting that responds to daily routines to sensor-driven insights that enable aging-in-place and proactive care. They also touch on market adoption trends, builder strategies, and why future-proofing lighting during construction or renovation is increasingly seen as a practical investment.

The episode closes with reflections on leadership, communication, and what it takes to scale meaningful innovation in the smart home market.