The world's biggest technology showcase, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), has kicked off 2026 with a clear and pervasive theme: artificial intelligence is now in everything. This year's event in Las Vegas has seen a significant shift, with AI moving beyond traditional gadgets and into a host of surprising everyday items, signalling a major evolution in how the technology is being applied.
AI Gets Personal: From Haircuts to Refrigerators
Unlike previous years where flashy screens and incremental updates ruled, CES 2026 will be remembered for the bizarre and intimate integration of AI. Exhibitors unveiled products that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. Among the most talked-about launches were intelligent hair clippers that can guide a perfect cut and refrigerators with doors that open automatically as you approach.
Analyst Richard Windsor observed that the show demonstrated AI's power not just in creating new use cases, but in bringing previously unrealistic products to life. He specifically highlighted significant progress in the fields of robotics and smart glasses, where AI is enabling more natural and useful interactions.
Electric Vehicles Take a Backseat Amid Policy Shifts
In a notable departure from recent CES events, major car manufacturers largely avoided launching new electric vehicle (EV) models. This conspicuous absence marks a dramatic change in focus for the automotive industry at the tech show.
The shift is being directly attributed to policy changes enacted by the Trump administration, which have reduced the financial incentives and regulatory pressure for developing electric cars. With the economic appeal of EVs diminished for now, carmakers have pivoted their CES spotlight towards other technological frontiers.
The New Automotive Focus: Self-Driving and Connectivity
With electric vehicles on the back burner, automotive innovation at CES 2026 has been redirected. Manufacturers are now channelling their resources and stage time into advancing self-driving technologies and enhanced vehicle connectivity.
This strategic pivot suggests that the industry is adapting to the new political and economic landscape by doubling down on autonomy and the in-car digital experience, rather than powertrain electrification. The move underscores how closely tech development is tied to government policy and incentives.
The overarching message from Monday 5 January 2026 is clear: AI has moved from a specialised tool to a ubiquitous feature, finding its way into the most mundane aspects of daily life, while the road for electric vehicles in the US market has encountered a significant new detour.
