Highlights:
- CES 2026 runs from January 6-9 in Las Vegas
- AI is expected to touch nearly every industry on display
- Major brands and startups showcase real-world tech solutions
- CTA projects U.S. tech industry revenue of $565 billion in 2026
- Trade tensions and tariffs remain a key industry concern
Las Vegas once again became the global hub of innovation as CES 2026 opened Tuesday (6), showcasing breakthrough technologies in artificial intelligence, robotics, mobility, and digital health that are reshaping how people live, work, and connect.
Produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES 2026 brings together thousands of global companies, startups, investors, industry leaders, and government officials for what organizers describe as the world’s most influential technology event. The show runs through January 9.
“CES is where innovation doesn’t just get announced—it gets tested, debated, challenged, discussed, and advanced,” said John Kelley, Vice President and Show Director of CES, speaking to international media. “It’s where startups meet global brands and where policy meets possibility.”
Kelley said this year’s event highlights technologies that are fundamentally transforming everyday life, from smarter AI-driven tools to advanced robotics and next-generation mobility solutions.
CTA Executive Chair and CEO Gary Shapiro described CES week as “about ideas becoming real.” He said CES 2026 is where innovators come to connect, build partnerships, and do business on a global scale, adding that the show will feature the latest advances in AI, robotics, digital health, enterprise technology, energy, accessibility, and immersive entertainment.
CTA president Kinsey Fabrizio emphasized the growing momentum across industries and borders. “This year, companies aren’t just showcasing products,” she said. “They’re demonstrating how technology is solving real-world challenges,” Fabrizio noted that artificial intelligence is now transforming nearly every sector, from manufacturing and healthcare to entertainment and mobility.
Major global brands, including AMD, BMW, John Deere, Lenovo, LG, Qualcomm, and Samsung, are among those presenting new technologies, alongside startups from Europe, Asia, and other regions. Thousands of exhibitors are highlighting innovations across AI, robotics, health technology, manufacturing, enterprise systems, and energy solutions.
CTA also announced a new partnership program designed to connect investors with startups exhibiting at CES, underscoring the show’s role as a launchpad for emerging companies.
Addressing geopolitical tensions and trade challenges, Shapiro noted that tariffs are detrimental to global trade and business relationships. He noted that CTA has actively opposed tariffs, including through legal challenges. Shapiro welcomed the recent dialogue between US president Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying reduced trade tensions are important for the global economy.
According to CTA’s U.S. Consumer Technology Industry Forecast, the industry is projected to generate $565 billion in revenue in 2026, reflecting 3.7 percent year-over-year growth despite economic uncertainty and tariff pressures. Shapiro said consumers continue to invest in technology that boosts productivity and quality of life, though cost pressures are becoming more visible as companies move into 2026.
With strong international participation, Shapiro stressed the importance of global cooperation. “Innovation succeeds when the world works together,” he said, calling CES a critical platform for that collaboration.
