LAS VEGAS (AP) — With the start of the New Year squarely behind us, it’s once again time for the annual CES trade show to shine a spotlight on the latest tech that companies plan to offer in 2026.
The
multi-day event, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, kicks
off this week in Las Vegas, where advances across industries like
robotics, healthcare, vehicles, wearables, gaming and more are set to be
on display.
Artificial intelligence will be anchored in nearly
everything, again, as the tech industry explores offerings consumers
will want to buy. AI industry heavyweight Jensen Huang will be taking
the stage to showcase Nvidia’s
latest productivity solutions, and AMD CEO Lisa Su will keynote to
“share her vision for delivering future AI solutions.” Expect AI to come
up in other keynotes, like from Lenovo’s CEO, Yuanqing Yang.
The AI industry is tackling issues in healthcare, with a particular
emphasis on changing individual health habits to treat conditions — such
as Beyond Medicine’s prescription app focused on a particular jaw
disorder — or addressing data shortages in subjects such as breast milk
production.
Expect more unveils around domestic robots too.
Korean tech giant LG
already has announced it will show off a helper bot named “CLOiD,” to
handle a range of household tasks.
Hyundai also is announcing a major
push on robotics and manufacturing advancements.
- Extended reality,
basically a virtual training ground for robots and other physical AI, is
also in the buzz around CES.
In 2025, more than 141,000 attendees from over 150 countries,
regions, and territories attended CES. Organizers expect around the same
numbers for this year’s show, with more than 3,500 exhibitors across
the floor space this week.
The AP spoke with CTA Executive Chair
and CEO Gary Shapiro about what to expect for CES 2026. The conversation
has been edited for clarity and length.
What are the main themes we can expect this week?
Well, we have a lot at this year’s show.
Obviously, using AI in a way that makes sense for people. We’re seeing a lot in robotics. More robots and humanoid-looking robots than we’ve ever had before.
We
also see longevity in health, there’s a lot of focus on that. All sorts
of wearable devices for almost every part of the body. Technology is
answering healthcare’s gaps very quickly and that’s great for everyone.
Mobility
is big with not only self-driving vehicles but also with boats and
drones and all sorts of other ways of getting around. That’s very
important.
And of course, content creation is always very big.
Is 2026 the year we finally see humanoid robots in people’s homes?
You are seeing humanoid robots right now. It sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t.
But
yes, there are more and more humanoid robots. And when we talk about
CES five, 10, 15, 20 years now, we’re going to see an even larger range
of humanoid robots.
Obviously, last year we saw a great interest
in them. The number one product of the show was a little robotic dog
that seems so life-like and fun, and affectionate for people that need
that type of affection.
But of course, the humanoid robots are
just one aspect of that industry. There’s a lot of specialization in
robot creation, depending on what you want the robot to do. And robots
can do many things that humans can’t.
Will we start seeing more innovative use of AI tools in entertainment?
AI is the future of creativity.
Certainly
AI itself may be arguably creative, but the human mind is so unique
that you definitely get new ideas that way. So I think the future is
more of a hybrid approach, where content creators are working with AI to
craft variations on a theme or to better monetize what they have to a
broader audience.
Any interesting AI-powered devices or services that consumers will want to buy?
We’re
seeing all sorts of different devices that are implementing AI.
- But we
have a special focus at this show, for the first time, on the disability
community.
- Verizon set this whole stage up where we have all different
ways of taking this technology and having it help people with
disabilities and older people.
Are you concerned about a potential AI bubble?
Well, there’s
definitely no bubble when it comes to what AI can do. And what AI can do
is perform miracles and solve fundamental human problems in food
production and clean air and clean water. Obviously in healthcare, it’s
gonna be overwhelming.
But this was like the internet itself. There was a lot of talk about a bubble,
and there actually was a bubble. The difference is that in late 1990s
there were basically were no revenue models. Companies were raising a
lot of money with no plans for revenue.
These AI companies have significant revenues today, and companies are investing in it.
