CES 2026 felt like a preview of the AI-powered world we’ve been promised for years. Smart assistants got sharper, robots more capable, and everything from laptops to cars was built with AI at the core. Tech giants, including NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Google, presented their vision of the future, and it was clear that artificial intelligence has become a core part of everyday life.
To say AI dominated CES 2026 is an understatement. Below, we recap the most exciting product launches, keynotes, and trends that had everyone talking about the future of AI.
AI-Powered Chips and the Dawn of the “AI PC”
One of the biggest themes was new AI-centric chips enabling the next generation of personal computers, often dubbed “AI PCs.” Leading chipmakers showed off processors designed not just for speed, but for on-device AI capabilities.
- Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 (“Panther Lake”): Intel launched its 3rd-gen Core Ultra chips for laptops and small PCs, boasting a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 50 trillion operations per second. These processors use a new 18A process and hybrid core architecture, delivering major boosts in multitasking, graphics, and AI performance. Intel is betting big on these chips to power over 200 upcoming laptop designs and even edge computing devices, effectively turning every new Intel laptop into an AI-enhanced PC.
- AMD’s Ryzen AI 4000 Series: AMD CEO Lisa Su’s keynote emphasized “AI everywhere, for everyone.” AMD unveiled its latest Ryzen AI 4000 processors for ultrathin laptops, which push AI performance even higher – up to 60 TOPS on the NPU. Notably, AMD is bringing its AI chip prowess to desktops too, teasing the first socketed Ryzen AI desktop CPUs on the horizon. These chips are optimized for Microsoft’s Windows Copilot and other AI-powered features, promising snappier content creation, smarter multitasking support, and even multi-day battery life thanks to efficient AI offloading. AMD’s message was clear: PCs that learn and adapt to you (even offline) are becoming a reality, not just a concept.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus: The ARM-based chip contender Qualcomm also jumped in with its Snapdragon X2 Plus compute platform for Windows 11 PCs. Aimed at ultralight laptops and 2-in-1s, it features up to 10 of Qualcomm’s custom cores and the “fastest NPU in a laptop” (around 80 TOPS). Qualcomm is positioning these chips for “AI PC” experiences as well. Think instant AI image enhancements and voice assistant processing done locally on your laptop. It’s part of Qualcomm’s push to grab market share from x86 PCs by touting superior on-device AI and battery efficiency.
- NVIDIA’s AI Platforms: Interestingly, NVIDIA, whose gaming GPUs long headlined CES, took a different route, focusing on AI data center tech this year. CEO Jensen Huang introduced NVIDIA’s “Vera Rubin” AI superchip platform (now in full production) and its new Alpamayo AI model for autonomous driving. While not a PC chip, this highlights how even CES has expanded to cloud-scale AI. NVIDIA is essentially saying that whether it’s an AI PC on your desk or a server rack training giant models, they want to power it. (They did, however, still please PC enthusiasts by hinting at next-gen neural rendering tech for GPUs, and by literally bringing out a pair of cute AI robots on stage to demonstrate “physical AI,” stealing the crowd’s heart during their keynote!)
All told, the “AI PC” is here. Practically every new laptop chip now comes with dedicated AI acceleration, enabling features such as real-time language translation, intelligent camera effects, and cloud-free voice assistants. PC makers are leaning into this trend: for example, HP unveiled the EliteBoard G1a, an entire Windows PC built into an ultra-thin keyboard, marketed as the world’s first “Next Gen AI PC.” It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen AI processor and designed for portability; you just plug this keyboard-computer into any monitor and have an AI-enhanced desktop anywhere. The takeaway: our everyday computers are getting AI-native hardware that blurs the line between PC and smart device, promising more personalized and powerful experiences.
Generative AI Everywhere in Consumer Devices
If 2023 was about generative AI in the cloud, 2026 brought generative AI right into our living rooms and daily gadgets. CES saw the rise of smart consumer devices with built-in AI that can create, customize, and converse like never before:
- Smarter TVs with Generative AI: Television makers are now integrating advanced AI to transform the viewing experience. Google announced big upgrades to Google TV via its new Gemini AI. On select 2026 TVs (starting with TCL models), users will be able to generate images and even videos directly on the TV. Google’s oddly named AI models – “Nano Banana” for image generation and “Veo” for video – let you create artwork or reimagine your personal photos on the big screen. For example, you could ask your TV to generate a calming beach landscape to display, or turn a family photo into a stylized slideshow with a simple voice command. Google TV is also getting more conversational: you can adjust settings by speaking naturally (“Hey Google, it’s too dark in here” will make the TV raise brightness, etc.), and Gemini’s “Deep Dives” can answer your questions with rich visuals and live info on-screen.
- LG’s AI Art and Personalization: Not to be outdone, LG showed off an OLED “wallpaper” TV so thin it virtually disappears on your wall, and it comes with generative AI features. Viewers can create their own custom images using LG’s built-in generative AI and display them as art when the TV is idle, making the screen blend into the home decor. LG’s demo let users design wallpapers and even produce art-style screensavers on the fly. In fact, across many new TV lineups (LG, Samsung, TCL, etc.), AI is enhancing everything from picture quality to content suggestions. Samsung’s 2026 TVs introduced a “Vision AI Companion” that acts as a TV-based assistant: it recommends what to watch, suggests recipes based on a cooking show you’re viewing, and even synchronizes with smart home devices (tell your TV “I’m cold,” and the connected thermostat might adjust!). Watching sports? AI modes can automatically enhance the crowd noise or commentary to your liking. In short, televisions are evolving from passive screens into active, AI-driven companions.
- Voice Assistants Get a Brain Boost: Both Google and Amazon used CES to push their voice assistants to new AI heights. Amazon’s Alexa+, a next-gen version of Alexa powered by generative AI, was a highlight. Alexa+ is far more conversational and “smart.” It can handle multi-step requests like planning your weekend or booking travel, and generate creative responses (tell it to craft a bedtime story or a meal plan, and it will do so on the fly). Amazon announced that Alexa+ is coming to many devices beyond Echo speakers: BMW’s newest electric cars will integrate Alexa+ as a voice assistant, and even Samsung is partnering with Alexa+ for some of its appliances and TVs. This means you could talk to your fridge or car in natural language and get helpful, AI-derived answers. Google, for its part, hinted at upgrades to Google Assistant using its powerful Gemini AI model, likely enabling more fluid conversations on Pixel phones and Android devices soon. The bottom line: our trusty voice assistants are turning into true AI agents that not only fetch info but can create and personalize content for us.
- AI in Smartphones and Wearables: CES isn’t typically a phone show, but AI still made its mark on mobile. Chipmakers like Qualcomm highlighted that new flagship smartphones will pack on-device AI for advanced camera tricks (like AI scene generation and photo editing by voice prompt) and even running large language models on the phone for privacy. We also saw wearables and health gadgets touting AI features, from smartwatches that use AI to detect stress and recommend breathing exercises, to health scanners (even an AI-equipped toilet) that analyze data locally to give personalized wellness tips. The emphasis across the board is on using AI to make devices more adaptive and context-aware, without always needing the cloud.
In short, generative AI has escaped the lab and is now in your home electronics. Your TV can create art, your car’s assistant can have a realistic chat, and your appliances are getting smarter about understanding your needs.
Robots on the Rise: Embodied AI Steals the Show
Robots have been a CES staple for years, but this year’s crop of robots felt smarter and closer to home than ever, thanks to advances in AI. From humanoids that do chores to adorable robo-companions, CES 2026 was crawling (sometimes literally) with embodied AI demonstrations.
- Household Robots Step Up: LG attracted big buzz with its new service robot, CLOiD, a wheeled humanoid designed for household chores. In live demos at their booth, LG’s robot fetched groceries, cooked simple meals, loaded the dishwasher, and even folded laundry. It uses advanced vision and “Physical AI” to navigate a home, recognize objects, and coordinate with smart appliances (for example, CLOiD can communicate with your washer/dryer and then fold the clothes when they’re done). LG touted a vision of a “Zero Labor Home,” where mundane tasks are handled by an AI helper that moves around naturally and understands human instructions. The prototype wowed the crowd by performing tasks like a real-world Rosie the Robot, grabbing a milk carton and a croissant for breakfast or tidying up a living room.
- SwitchBot’s Affordable Helper: Startup SwitchBot unveiled the onero H1, a smaller home robot aimed at being “your first household robot.” It’s less humanoid in appearance but is designed to handle specific tasks like doing dishes, sorting laundry, and organizing shoes. Onero H1 uses visual perception and tactile sensors to adapt to different objects, and SwitchBot claims it can get better over time with AI training updates. They’re shooting for a price under $10,000, which, while still pricey, is far cheaper than many fancy robots, signaling an effort to make domestic robots more accessible to consumers in the near future. The onero H1 demo, while a bit slow and clunky at times, showed it loading a dishwasher and lining up shoes. It’s early days, but the message is that robot butlers are coming (and they might be within reach for everyday families in a few years).
- Robotic Companions & Pets: Beyond chores, there were plenty of robots focused on companionship and entertainment. CES saw cute robot pets that use AI to respond to your emotions, like interactive dog and cat robots that seniors or kids can play with. Some startups showed emotional AI companions: small desktop robots with animated faces that can chat with you, tell jokes, and help with daily schedules using an AI brain (imagine a personalized, emotive Alexa on wheels). While not as headline-grabbing as the big humanoids, these friendly robots highlight how AI is humanizing gadget interactions. They can recognize faces, remember conversations, and proactively engage with users.
- Humanoids and Industrial Robots: Perhaps the most dramatic was the sight of full-size humanoid robots walking around CES. In a milestone moment, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas made its first public CES appearance. The bipedal Atlas robot wowed the audience by autonomously navigating a small obstacle course on stage, showing off agility and balance akin to an athletic human. Boston Dynamics (now part of Hyundai) emphasized that they are moving from flashy parkour videos to practical applications; in fact, they announced plans for Atlas variants to assist in factories (with one aimed at automotive assembly by 2028). Other companies like Apptronik and Sanctuary AI also presented humanoid robot prototypes intended for warehouse and retail work, each leveraging improved AI for vision and grip. These robots can sort packages or stock shelves, working safely alongside humans. The vibe at CES 2026 was that “embodied AI” has matured: it’s not just about cool demos, but real use cases like logistics, manufacturing, and, yes, home help.
The genie is out of the bottle: AI-driven robots are entering the real world, and each CES from here on is likely to show them becoming more capable and common.
Self-Driving Cars and Smarter Autos Accelerate
CES has increasingly become a car tech show, and in 2026, the automotive sector leaned heavily into AI, both under the hood and in the driver’s seat. The push toward autonomous driving and intelligent vehicles was evident in multiple announcements:
- Resurgence of Autonomous Driving Initiatives: After a few tumultuous years, automakers and tech firms at CES signalled a renewed, pragmatic drive toward self-driving cars. NVIDIA unveiled a new open-source autonomous driving platform called Alpamayo, which is essentially an AI “brain” for driverless vehicles trained to handle those pesky edge cases on the road. NVIDIA’s CEO framed it as a way for the industry to collaborate: by open-sourcing their self-driving AI models, they invite carmakers to build on their system rather than starting from scratch. This move was likened to an “Android vs. iOS” moment, where Tesla’s full self-driving is a closed world, Nvidia’s open approach could become the Android of autonomous vehicles that many manufacturers adopt.
- Big Partnerships for Robotaxis and Trucks: Several alliances were announced to actually get autonomous vehicles on roads. In one headline event, Uber, Lucid Motors, and Nuro teamed up to introduce a deluxe robotaxi. They showed off a sleek autonomous Lucid electric car outfitted with sensors, a futuristic “halo” roof light, and an interior where riders can watch real-time displays of what the AI sees. Uber plans to start pilot rides in it later this year. For freight, Kodiak Robotics and Bosch announced a partnership to scale up autonomous trucking hardware, aiming to make self-driving big rigs more commercially viable. And Amazon’s AWS joined forces with a German firm (Aumovio) to provide cloud support for self-driving car deployments.
- Advanced Driver Assistance in Real Cars Now: On the consumer side, we’re seeing more advanced AI driving features in production vehicles. Mercedes-Benz revealed it will launch Level 3 autonomous driving in the U.S. this year on certain models, meaning the car can pilot itself in city traffic with a human supervising (hands-off but eyes-on). This system, powered by NVIDIA’s DRIVE chips, essentially gives a taste of “self-driving” functionality in luxury cars, under specific safe conditions. It’s a sign that high-end vehicles are inching towards autonomy in a careful, regulated way. Likewise, BMW’s upcoming iX3 SUV was spotlighted for its Alexa+ integration and AI assistant that can understand natural commands (you could ask your BMW, “Is there a parking spot nearby?” or “Take me somewhere fun for lunch,” and it will intelligently respond and act). Many other automakers at CES touted AI enhancements: better driver monitoring (to detect distraction or drowsiness), AI-powered infotainment that learns your preferences, and more capable computer vision for emergency braking and collision avoidance.
- A Reality Check on Robot Cars: Amid the excitement, industry voices at CES also struck a cautious tone about fully autonomous vehicles. Executives from major suppliers noted that consumers and regulators still need convincing about safety. There was talk of focusing on Level 2+ driver assistance (where the car can handle highway driving or parking with supervision) as a more immediate, profitable goal than chasing Level 5 robotaxis everywhere. In panels, experts stressed the importance of “trust” and transparency in AI (e.g., ensuring that a self-driving car can signal its intentions to pedestrians). Interestingly, generative AI is helping here too: companies are using AI simulation to train and test self-driving systems faster and cheaper. All in all, cars are getting smarter and more autonomous, but the vibe was more realistic than fantastical. Expect to see more AI copilots on the road soon, even if the truly driverless utopia is still a few years out.
Key Trends: On-Device AI, Trust & Open AI Ecosystems
Beyond the product announcements, CES 2026 highlighted some broader AI trends and themes that cut across industries:
- On-Device AI Everywhere: A clear trend is AI processing moving to the edge (i.e., onto our personal devices) for speed, privacy, and reliability. Whether it’s a laptop with an NPU, a phone with a neural engine, or a car with an AI chip, the idea is that devices can run advanced AI models locally without always calling the cloud. This enables real-time responses (no internet lag) and keeps sensitive data on the device. Many companies championed this approach, from smartphone makers to appliance brands. Qualcomm even used the phrase “AI in your pocket” for phones, and we saw demos of offline translation earbuds and AI-powered cameras that work entirely without cloud help. Overall, CES showed that on-device AI has become a standard expectation, not a niche: consumers will soon assume their gadgets are AI-smart by default.
- Ethical and Trustworthy AI: With AI touching so many aspects of life, companies are increasingly talking about AI ethics, privacy, and safety. At CES, Samsung took a lead by hosting a cross-industry panel on trust in AI. Tech executives and researchers discussed how to make AI systems more transparent (so users know when AI is active and why it’s making decisions), how to safeguard personal data, and how to ensure AI behaves predictably. Samsung promoted a “trust-by-design” philosophy, including using on-device AI for privacy, and security frameworks like its Knox platform to protect AI-powered devices. The very fact that this conversation was front and center at a gadget show suggests that consumers are excited about AI but also a bit anxious, and that brands know they must earn user confidence. Expect to see more products highlighting privacy controls (like AI that processes your voice locally, or cars that clearly indicate what the autopilot is doing). “AI responsibility” has become a selling point. Another ethics topic at CES was the impact of AI on jobs. For instance, if robots do more factory work or AI tools create content, how do we transition the workforce? While there were no easy answers, it’s notable that the tech industry is acknowledging these challenges even as it hypes innovations.
- Open-Source and Collaboration in AI: A subtle but important trend: a shift toward more open AI models and partnerships. We saw examples of this with NVIDIA open-sourcing its driving AI, and even companies like Meta (not an official CES presenter, but present through partners) touting open AI frameworks. The reason? Open models let many players build on advances rather than reinvent the wheel. It also helps avoid one or two companies completely dominating AI. In the chip world, this has interesting implications: NVIDIA’s CEO noted that many closed AI models (such as certain proprietary chatbots) also run on rival hardware, so supporting open models could indirectly benefit the company’s business. Meanwhile, startups at CES highlighted how using open-source AI models allowed them to bring products to market faster without needing a Google-sized R&D budget. We also saw cross-company AI alliances (e.g., automakers teaming up on data, appliance makers integrating each other’s AI assistants), signalling that integration is the name of the game. For consumers, this could mean your devices play nicer together, and you’re not locked into one ecosystem for AI features.
- It’s Not Just Called ‘Smart’ Anymore: Finally, there’s a maturation in how AI is talked about. Early on, slapping “AI” on a product was marketing gold, but now everyone has it, so the real differentiator is how well it works. Several speakers noted that success will come from better software and user experience, not just the fanciest model. This means the industry focus is shifting to practical AI that genuinely improves daily life: think AI that simplifies your smart home setup, or a car AI that makes driving safer and less stressful, or an AI health app that truly coaches you to better habits. At CES 2026, we saw less wild futurism and more usable implementations. AI is becoming normal, even expected. The excitement is still there, but it’s being channelled into refining the experience so that these AI features actually delight users (and don’t annoy or confuse them).
A New Era Unfolding
In conclusion, CES 2026 showcased an industry embracing AI not as a niche but as the foundation of modern tech innovation. Just about every product category is being reimagined with some form of artificial intelligence. Yes, some of the AI promises are still works in progress (you won’t have a robot chef cooking dinner next week, and fully driverless cars are limited to pilot zones). But the progress on display – tangible, real-working AI implementations – was undeniable and thrilling.
For a tech-savvy audience and businesses alike, the message from CES 2026 is clear: we’re entering an AI-powered era of consumer tech. The coming year will likely bring many of these AI enhancements into our homes, offices, and daily routines. Here’s to a year of smarter tech and perhaps a little less housework for us humans, thanks to our new AI friends!
