**CES 2026: Where the Future of AI Took Center Stage**
Okay, it’s finally here – CES 2026 is in full swing, and I’m still reeling from the sheer amount of tech goodness that’s been dropped over the past few days. From keynote speeches to the weird and wonderful exhibits on the show floor, I’m here to give you the lowdown on what caught my eye (and earbuds).
**Nvidia’s AI Model for Autonomous Vehicles: The Future is Now**
On Monday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took the stage to unveil the company’s latest AI model, designed specifically for autonomous vehicles. The Rubin architecture is set to replace the current Blackwell structure later this year, and I’ve got the scoop on what makes it tick. Think speed and storage upgrades – we’re talking big.
**AMD’s Processor Power and Partnerships Galore**
Meanwhile, AMD’s Lisa Su was up first on the keynote docket, showcasing the company’s new processors and partnerships. The talks included OpenAI, Fei-Fei Li, and more – I’ve got the inside scoop on what’s cooking over at AMD.
**CES’s Oddballs: The Bizarre and the Brilliant**
Now that the big announcements are out of the way, it’s time to look at some of the more…unconventional exhibits on the floor. From retro aesthetics to AI-powered construction equipment, I’ve rounded up the most eyebrow-raising reveals from CES.
**Breakout Sessions and Industry Talk**
But CES isn’t just about the flashy exhibits and hardware – it’s also about the panels and discussions shaping the future of tech. I’ve been keeping an ear to the ground for some of the most notable takeaways, including Palmer Luckey’s thoughts on retro aesthetics and the “learn once, work forever” era.
**Ford’s AI Assistant: Coming to a Car Near You**
Ford’s AI assistant is landing in the app this year, with a full rollout planned for 2027. Google Cloud is at the helm, and the AI itself is built on off-the-shelf LLMs. But details on what drivers can expect are still scarce.
**Caterpillar and Nvidia Partner Up**
As AI continues to shape the physical world, Caterpillar and Nvidia announced a pilot program, “Cat AI Assistant,” which showed up on the show floor in an excavator vehicle. And, let’s just say, it’s going to change the game.
**Hands-on with the Communicator: The Phone That’s Bringing Back the Past**
This phone from Clicks Technology is getting a lot of buzz, and for good reason. The $499 Communicator has a physical keyboard, and yes, a separate $79 slide-out keyboard that you can use with other devices. It’s retro vibes abound.
**Take a Gander at the Skylight Calendar 2**
This family planning device caught my eye not just for its calendar and planning capabilities but also its AI smarts, syncing calendars, creating to-dos, and sending reminders. Can it be my personal assistant, please?
**Boston Dynamics and Google Team Up**
Hyundai’s press conference focused on its robotics partnerships with Boston Dynamics, but it was also revealed that they’re working with Google’s AI lab to train and operate Atlas robots. Oh, and a new iteration is coming our way.
**Amazon’s Alexa Update is All About AI**
Amazon’s AI-centric update with Alexa+ is getting some much-needed love at CES. The company is launching Alexa.com for Early Access users, plus a revamped app for the bot. I’m intrigued.
**Razer’s AI Push**
The company known for its over-the-top hardware has finally joined the AI party with Project AVA and Motoko. The first gives you an AI companion that lives on your desk; the second lets you achieve smart glasses capabilities without the glasses.
**Lego Enters CES**
The toy company has joined the party for the first time, showcasing its Smart Play System. This includes bricks, tiles, and Minifigures that all work together and have sounds to create a truly immersive experience. I’m a fan.
Stay tuned for more updates from the show floor, and hit me up in the comments with your own thoughts on the most exciting or unexpected reveals from CES 2026!
