AI Takes Centre Stage as CES 2026 Opens with Global Tech Innovators
Hundreds of companies unveiled their latest technologies and gadgets in Las Vegas on Sunday at CES Unveiled, the media preview for the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) flagship event. The annual tech gathering, widely known as CES, officially opens on Tuesday and will run from 6 to 9 January.
Artificial Intelligence Dominates the Show
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the CTA, said artificial intelligence is the defining theme of CES 2026. Exhibitors from around the world are demonstrating how AI is reshaping industries, from consumer electronics to robotics and personal assistants. “AI is the main focus this year,” Shapiro said, noting that the technology’s rapid integration into daily life has made it the centrepiece of innovation.
Among the new exhibitors is China’s X-Origin, which presented Yonbo, an interactive AI-powered robot companion designed to teach children how to use AI prompts. “Yonbo can tell stories, and each story is interactive,” said Silvia Fan, the company’s vice president. “Yonbo guides children into an AI-imagined world where they can learn and play creatively.”
Robots Designed for Families
Another notable debut came from Chinese robotics firm Zeroth, which introduced a lightweight humanoid robot capable of switching between autonomous AI software systems, known as agents, to meet individual user needs. Founder and CEO Renjie Guo explained that the robot can serve different roles within a household. “Children can use an agent to help with learning, while older people can talk to the robot and have it write an autobiography based on their stories,” he said.
A Global Platform for Innovation
According to the CTA, CES 2026 spans 13 venues and covers more than 2.6 million square feet (250,000 square metres) of exhibition space. Thousands of companies, from startups to global leaders, are showcasing products that reflect the convergence of AI, robotics, and smart technologies.
This year’s keynote speakers include Yuanqing Yang, chairman and CEO of Lenovo, the world’s largest personal computer manufacturer, and Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chip leader Nvidia. Both are expected to discuss the transformative potential of AI in computing, creativity and business operations.
As the event opens its doors, all eyes are on how emerging technologies at CES 2026 will shape the next wave of digital innovation.
with inputs from Reuters