What to expect from CES 2026, the annual show of all things tech?

LAS VEGAS (AP) — With the start of the new year behind us, it’s time once again for the annual CES trade show to shine the spotlight on the latest tech companies’ plans for 2026.

The multi-day event, hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, kicks off this week in Las Vegas, where advances in industries such as robotics, healthcare, automotive, wearables, gaming and more will be on display.

Artificial intelligence will be anchored in almost everything, again, as the tech industry explores the offerings that consumers want to buy. AI industry heavyweight Jensen Huang will take the stage to showcase Nvidia’s latest productivity solutions, and AMD CEO Lisa Su will keynote to “share her vision for delivering AI solutions of the future.” Expect AI to come in other keynotes like from Lenovo CEO, Yuanqing Yang.

The AI ​​industry is out in full force to solve problems in healthcare, with particular emphasis on changing personal health habits to treat conditions – such as Beyond Medicine’s prescription app specifically focused on jaw disorders – or addressing data gaps in topics such as breast milk production.

Also expect more unveilings around domestic robots. Korean tech giant LG has already announced that it will show off an assistant bot called “CLOiD,” which will reportedly handle a range of household tasks. Hyundai is also announcing a major push into robotics and product development. Augmented reality, basically a virtual training ground for robots and other physical AI, is all the buzz around CES.

In 2025, more than 141,000 attendees from more than 150 countries, regions and territories attended CES. Organizers expect more than 3,500 exhibitors for this year’s show, a similar number to this week’s floor space.

The AP spoke with CTA Executive Chairman and CEO Gary Shapiro about what to expect from 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 on the agenda this year.

Of course, AI is used in a way that makes sense to humans. We are seeing a lot in robotics. We have more robots and humanoid looking robots than ever before.

We also see longevity in health, a lot of focus on that. All kinds of wearable devices for almost every part of the body. Technology is quickly responding to healthcare shortages and that’s great for everyone.

Mobility is huge not only with self-driving vehicles but also with boats and drones and other ways to get around. That is very important.

And of course, content creation is always huge.

Is 2026 the year we finally see humanoid robots in people’s homes?

You are now seeing humanoid robots. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

But yes, there are more and more humanoid robots. And when we talk about CES 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now, we’re going to see an even greater range of humanoid robots.

Obviously, last year we saw a huge interest in them. The show’s number one product was a tiny robotic dog that looked lifelike and fun, and endearing to people who needed that kind of affection.

But of course, humanoid robots are only one aspect of that industry. There are many specializations in robot building depending on what you want the robot to do. And robots can do many things that humans can’t.

Will we start to see more innovative uses of AI tools in entertainment?

AI is the future of creativity.

Of course the AI ​​itself can be reasonably creative, but the human mind is so unique that you definitely get new ideas. So I think the future is a hybrid approach, where content creators are working with AI to create variations on content or better monetize what they have for a wider audience.

Any interesting AI-powered devices or services that consumers might want to buy?

We’re seeing all kinds of different devices that are implementing AI. But for the first time in this show we have focused exclusively on the disability community. Verizon set up this whole phase where we have all different ways to take this technology and help people with disabilities and the elderly.

Are you worried about a potential AI bubble?

Well, there is certainly no bubble when it comes to what AI can do. And AI can perform miracles and solve fundamental human problems in food production and clean air and clean water. Obviously in healthcare, it would be overwhelming.

But it was like the Internet. There was a lot of talk about bubbles, and there actually was a bubble. The difference is that in the late 1990s there were basically no revenue models. Companies were raising a lot of money without a plan for revenue.

These AI companies have significant revenues today, and companies are investing in them.

What I’m more worried about, honestly, is Wall Street and not the bubble. Others may be concerned about this. I’m worried about getting enough power to process all those AIs. And at this show, for the first time, we have a Korean company that is showing off a small-scale nuclear-powered power generation device for the first time. We hope that more and more of these people will rush to fill this void because we need energy, we need clean and we need some kind of solution above.