CES 2026 opens in Las Vegas with focus on AI, industrial technology and global collaboration

CES 2026 opened its doors in Las Vegas on 7 January, marking the start of one of the largest global gatherings for the technology industry. The event spans more than 2.6 million net square feet across 13 venues and brings together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and media to showcase emerging technologies and commercial innovation. More than 4,100 exhibitors are participating this year, covering sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and digital health to energy, mobility, robotics and immersive entertainment.

Hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, the 2026 edition runs through 9 January and is the first major event to occupy the fully renovated Las Vegas Convention Center legacy campus. The US$600 million renovation project has now been completed, with CES serving as its inaugural large-scale showcase. Two Media Days held ahead of the official opening featured product demonstrations, partnership announcements and briefings that set the tone for the week.

In opening remarks delivered during the event, CTA leadership positioned CES as a meeting point for innovation and commercial momentum. Gary Shapiro, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of CTA, said CES is where innovators gather to accelerate business, form partnerships and apply technology to real-world challenges. CTA President Kinsey Fabrizio added that the show brings together global brands and startups to move ideas from concept to practical impact, highlighting the role of technology in improving daily life at scale.

Keynotes highlight AI’s shift from promise to deployment

Artificial intelligence emerged as the central theme of the opening keynote programme, with speakers emphasising the transition from experimentation to large-scale deployment. AMD Chair and Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Su outlined how the company’s expanding AI portfolio is being applied across data centres, enterprise environments and personal computing. She introduced new products including the Ryzen AI 400 Series for AI-enabled PCs, the MI440X GPU aimed at enterprise workloads, and the Ryzen AI Halo developer platform.

Su also previewed AMD’s Helios rack-scale platform and discussed the importance of cross-industry collaboration in delivering practical AI outcomes. The presentation highlighted partnerships that support AI integration from cloud infrastructure to edge devices and real-world applications. Michael Kratsios, the President’s Science and Technology Advisor, joined the session to address the role of public and private sector cooperation in advancing innovation, competitiveness and opportunity. AMD also announced a US$150 million commitment to expand access to AI education in classrooms and local communities.

Industrial applications of AI were addressed in a separate keynote by Siemens. Siemens President and Chief Executive Officer Roland Busch unveiled a suite of technologies designed to accelerate industrial AI adoption, including the launch of its Digital Twin Composer software. NVIDIA founder and Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang appeared alongside Busch to announce an expanded partnership focused on building an industrial AI operating system. Siemens also outlined applications of digital twin technology in manufacturing, autonomous driving, drug discovery and operational efficiency.

Media Days, innovation showcases and sustainability initiatives

Beyond the keynote stage, CES 2026 built momentum through its Media Days programme and a series of press conferences held at Mandalay Bay. Major announcements were delivered by companies including Bosch, Doosan Bobcat, Geely Auto Group, Hisense, Hyundai, LG Electronics, Sony Honda Mobility and The LEGO Group. These briefings generated early attention for new products and strategic partnerships across consumer and industrial markets.

CES Unveiled Las Vegas, the official press preview event, featured more than 225 companies presenting early-stage and consumer-ready innovations. Products on display included a gamified toothbrush designed for children, wearable health monitoring devices, non-invasive medical tools for paediatric use, robotic exoskeleton systems, AI-powered note-taking wearables and experimental electric mobility concepts. The event offered a snapshot of how emerging technologies are being positioned for everyday use.

The opening of CES also provided a platform to highlight broader industry and community initiatives. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the renovated convention centre, CTA announced US$125,000 in funding for two City of Las Vegas sustainability projects under its CES 2026 Green Grants programme. The funding will support a citywide tree-planting initiative and upgrades to energy-efficient street lighting, reinforcing the role of collaboration between technology, government and local communities.

The show features more than 400 conference sessions and over 1,300 speakers across tracks including accessibility, digital health, manufacturing, innovation policy and enterprise technology. New additions include the CES Foundry, a community focused on AI and quantum technologies, which opens on 7 January for two days of programming, demonstrations and networking.