CES 2026: Unpacking the 3 Megatrends That’s Shaping Our Future

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Each year, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) gives us a sneak peek into the innovations that would define the year. This year, futurist and CTA Senior Director of Innovation & Trends, Brian Comiskey, recently unveiled his "CES 2026 Trends to Watch" presentation, and it was a fascinating look at where technology was headed. One thing was crystal clear: AI wasn't just a buzzword; it was an increasingly visible force driving everything forward. 

Comiskey highlighted a significant shift: AI had transitioned from an experimental concept to an essential tool in our daily lives. Forget science fiction – AI is a daily reality for most people. In the U.S., a whopping 63% of workers reported using AI, saving them an average of 8.7 hours per week!  

Similar trends were seen across the globe, from the U.K. to South Korea, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. As Comiskey put it, AI had "evolved from something experimental to something essential for workers and enterprises alike." It was so deeply integrated that it was no longer a trend in itself, but the foundational layer beneath all the exciting megatrends we would see at CES 2026. 

So, what were these game-changing megatrends Comiskey identified? Let’s dive in. 

Megatrend 1: Intelligent Transformation 

First up, there was Intelligent Transformation, which explored how AI, cybersecurity, cloud scalability, and simulation were coming together to revolutionize industries. This megatrend stood on three robust pillars: security, scalability (thanks to cloud providers), and simulation, where AI empowered smarter and faster decision-making.  

We were talking about the evolution of AI into specialized forms like “agentic AI” (autonomous agents), “vertical AI” for specific sectors like healthcare, and “industrial AI” embedded in infrastructure. And we couldn't forget the exciting advancements in physical AI and robotics, including humanoids and self-driving tech. Even smart glasses and XR ecosystems, which consumers had been slow to adopt, were getting a boost from AI, making hardware more comfortable and expanding applications in industrial, medical, and educational fields.  

Megatrend 2: Longevity and Quality of Life Innovations 

Next, we shifted our focus to Longevity and Quality of Life Innovations. This megatrend was all about how technology was helping us live longer, healthier, and happier lives. We saw incredible breakthroughs in biotechnology and health tech, from the impact of GLP-1 drugs to precision medicine powered by genomics and AI, and the expansion of remote care through telehealth and wearables.  

The digital health revolution' was unfolding in layers: AI-powered symptom checkers for triage, remote patient monitoring for management, and wearables empowering patients to track their health.  

Innovations in accessibility (like exoskeletons), mental health (voice biomarkers and AI chatbots), and wellness (sleep tech, smart nutrition) also took center stage. And in a truly fascinating twist, AI was even transforming cultured living, impacting content creation, fashion (think XR wardrobes), and beauty personalization, allowing for new forms of self-expression.  

Megatrend 3: Engineering Tomorrow 

Finally, we looked at Engineering Tomorrow, a megatrend that delved into automotive innovation, energy systems, agri-food tech, and digital infrastructure. Vehicles are becoming software-defined platforms with AI-powered personalization, driven by cross-industry partnerships.  

In Energy System Innovation, we saw electrification across the board, modernized grids, and experimental power sources like ambient noise energy and even early-stage fusion – all crucial for meeting the growing power demands of AI.  

“Agri-Food” tech advancements brought automation to agriculture with robotic mowers and AI for yield optimization, alongside the rise of indoor and vertical farming. This megatrend truly embodied the idea of intelligence becoming impact, building the future we wanted to see. 

The CES Foundry 

For those eager to see these innovations up close, the CTA launched the CES Foundry! This new initiative, held at the Fontainebleau on January 7th and 8th, was a hub for visionaries and global leaders to discuss and demonstrate the latest in AI and quantum technologies.  

CES 2026 promised to be an extraordinary event, showcasing how technology was not just evolving, but intelligently transforming our world. From the foundational role of AI to innovations extending our longevity and engineering a sustainable tomorrow. What megatrend were you most excited to watch?