With the New Year underway, the annual CES trade show is once again shining a spotlight on the latest technological innovations companies plan to offer in 2026. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the multiday event in Las Vegas is set to showcase significant advancements across diverse industries, including robotics, healthcare, vehicles, wearables, and gaming. A central and pervasive theme this year, as in previous years, will be artificial intelligence (AI), with the tech industry exploring myriad offerings designed to appeal to consumers.

AI industry heavyweights are scheduled to take the stage, with Jensen Huang presenting Nvidia’s latest productivity solutions and AMD CEO Lisa Su delivering a keynote on her vision for future AI solutions. Lenovo’s CEO, Yuanqing Yang, is also expected to touch upon AI in his keynote address. Beyond corporate presentations, AI is actively tackling real-world issues, particularly in healthcare. Efforts include changing individual health habits to treat specific conditions, exemplified by Beyond Medicine’s prescription app for a particular jaw disorder, and addressing critical data shortages in areas like breast milk production.

The event also promises numerous unveils in the realm of domestic robotics. Korean tech giant LG has already announced its intention to showcase a helper bot named “CLOiD,” designed to assist with a range of household tasks. Furthermore, Hyundai is making a significant announcement regarding its push in robotics and manufacturing advancements. Extended Reality (XR), which serves as a virtual training ground for robots and other physical AI entities, is another area generating considerable buzz at CES.

Regarding humanoid robots, a growing presence is expected at the show. While their functionality can be inconsistent, the trend indicates an increasing number of humanoid robots. CTA Executive Chair and CEO Gary Shapiro noted that discussions about CES five, ten, or twenty years from now would undoubtedly feature an even broader range of humanoid robots. He recalled that a little robotic dog, described as life-like, fun, and affectionate, was the number one product at CES 2025. This highlights the specialization in robot creation, where designs are tailored to specific tasks, often enabling robots to perform functions beyond human capabilities.

In the entertainment sector, innovative uses of AI tools are anticipated to be a major topic. AI is widely regarded as the future of creativity. While AI itself may exhibit creative capacities, the unique nature of the human mind ensures new ideas emerge. The future is envisioned as a hybrid approach, where content creators collaborate with AI to generate variations on themes or to better monetize their content for wider audiences.

Consumers can also expect to see a variety of AI-powered devices and services. For the first time, CES 2026 is placing a special focus on the disability community. Verizon has established a dedicated stage showcasing diverse technological applications aimed at assisting people with disabilities and older individuals.

Addressing concerns about a potential “AI bubble,” Gary Shapiro asserted that there is no bubble regarding AI's capabilities to perform miracles and solve fundamental human problems in areas like food production, clean air, clean water, and healthcare. He drew a distinction from the late 1990s internet bubble, where companies lacked clear revenue models. In contrast, current AI companies boast significant revenues and attract substantial investment. Shapiro's primary concern, however, is not a financial bubble but rather the escalating energy requirements for processing AI. In response to this, a Korean company is presenting the first-ever small-scale nuclear-powered energy creation device at the show, underscoring the urgent need for clean and comprehensive energy solutions.

Overall, the main themes at CES 2026, as articulated by Gary Shapiro, include the sensible application of AI, an unprecedented number of robots (including humanoids), a strong focus on longevity in health (with a variety of wearable devices), rapid advancements in addressing healthcare gaps, and significant developments in mobility (encompassing self-driving vehicles, boats, and drones). Content creation remains a consistently prominent area.

In terms of scale, CES 2025 saw over 141,000 attendees from more than 150 countries, regions, and territories. Organizers anticipate similar numbers for this year’s show, with over 3,500 exhibitors occupying the floor space.