CES 2026 kicked off Sunday evening with the annual “CTA Tech Trends to Watch” presentation for members of the media. Hosted by Melissa Harrison, VP, communications & marketing, CTA, and Brian Comiskey, senior director, innovation & trends, CTA, the session revealed the three “Megatrends” that can be experienced at CES, all of which are heavily influenced by the expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence.
Before diving into the trends, the duo presented data from the CTA’s just-released U.S. Consumer Technology Industry Forecast, which predicted that the global consumer tech and durables market will grow to nearly $1.3 trillion in 2026. In the U.S., 2026 consumer tech revenue is expected to reach $565 billion, with software/services reaching a new record.
The forecast indicates that consumers are increasingly prioritizing software-driven value, anchoring their purchasing decisions to subscription services, and leveraging flexible financing options.
The pair then revealed the Megatrends and how they can be experienced while at CES. The trends are:
- Intelligent Transformation — Artificial intelligence is becoming foundational across devices, platforms, and services, enabling smarter systems and more personalized consumer experiences. Intelligent Transformation can be seen in modern infrastructure, including cybersecurity, cloud, and AI products and services that allow smarter decision-making. It can also be seen in the robots found on the show floor — both humanoid and industrial, as well as in smart glasses and XR headsets.
- Longevity Technologies — Advances in digital health, remote care, and wellness tools are accelerating as consumers seek technologies that support longer, healthier lives. Longevity Technologies had breakthroughs in three key areas: the GLP-1 ecosystem, precision medicine, and remote care. It can also be seen in the smart living technologies for the home, including smart mirrors, smoke detectors, and video doorbells, as well as in fashion and beauty tech.
- Engineering Tomorrow — Continued investment in electrification, mobility, energy management, and infrastructure modernization is laying the groundwork for future innovation. Engineering Tomorrow includes how vehicles are becoming more than just a mobility tool and are now as personalized as our smartphones. Examples of these types of technologies can be found in agriculture, construction, and public safety.
At the end of the session, Comiskey was asked to describe CES 2026 in a few words, and he said it is innovation that will drive the economy, encourage longevity, and engineer tomorrow’s solutions. It is, he concluded, “the window to tomorrow.”
