CES 2026 is heavily focused on AI, showcasing its expanding role in consumer technology and its integration into the physical world, particularly driven by major players like Nvidia, AMD, Amazon, and Google. The event highlights the progression of AI beyond software into tangible applications, impacting retail, manufacturing and potentially other sectors through robotics and automation.
For retail, AI could drive personalized shopping experiences, optimized supply chains, and automated store operations. In manufacturing, AI-powered robots and predictive maintenance systems can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality, leading to significant cost savings and revenue growth.
Businesses across sectors, particularly in retail and manufacturing, can expect to see increased automation and data-driven insights leading to workflow optimization and efficiency gains. Implementation may require significant initial investment in AI-enabled systems and retraining of workforce, but the long-term ROI is likely to be significant. Amazon and Google's push for AI in the physical world suggests an increasing demand for professionals with expertise in AI implementation, data science, and robotics.