At CES 2026, AI is Everywhere: The Key Is in Your Implementation.

“How beneficial is it really, and how effective is the software?” questions Sag. “Everyone will have some form of AI—AI earbuds, AI glasses. But if the software is lacking, they’ll end up being worthless.”

Expanding Beyond Wearables

Currently, AI is primarily associated with devices on your face and wrists—smart glasses and smartwatches—but this year is set to expand into products like earbuds, headphones, and intelligent clothing.

The health tech sector will also experience a surge in AI capabilities, as companies strive to harness AI for tracking biometric data from wearables such as rings and wristbands. Health sensors are expected to appear in new places like toilets, bath mats, and bras.

The smart home landscape will continue to be enhanced by machine intelligence, with an increasing number of products capable of listening, seeing, and interpreting activities within your living environment. While traditional AI-enhanced gadgets like smart vacuums and security cameras are expected, there will also be unexpected companions like refrigerators and garage door openers joining the mix.

Many stakeholders in the AI gadget industry might be waiting anxiously to see the nature of OpenAI’s forthcoming gadget strategy. The company has announced that its initial consumer tech offerings will include personal devices—a home audio player and a note-taking pen, reportedly—though these are not anticipated to launch for at least another year, with the possibility of more innovations to follow.

Moreover, CES remains prominently a showcase for vehicles. The cars on display in Las Vegas are generally design concepts, yet they illustrate how automakers envision transforming the in-car experience through LLMs, cameras, and machine intelligence. Currently, in-car AI can manage the radio and assist in locating charging stations, but as will be revealed this week, its capabilities are set to expand further.

The CES 2026 showcase kicks off with media previews on Monday, January 5. The CES expo hall opens its doors on Tuesday, January 6. While most announcements are typically made in the first two days, the event continues until the end of the week.