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AI Takes Over CES 2026 as Tariff Warnings Cloud the Gadget Showcase

CTA projections point to steep electronics price increases under proposed tariffs.

Overview

  • AI branding dominated show-floor pitches across TVs, appliances, robots and toys, with analysts questioning how ready many of the features are for everyday use.
  • The Consumer Technology Association estimated tariffs could raise prices by about 31% for smartphones, 34% for laptops and up to 69% for video game consoles.
  • Display and play stood out with Samsung’s 130-inch Micro RGB screen, LG’s ultra-thin OLED evo W6, and LEGO’s Smart Play system of sensor-packed bricks, with the first Star Wars sets due in March.
  • Home robotics surged into view through LG’s CLOiD concept and Ecovacs vacuums boasting 30,000 pascals of suction, fast-charge ‘perpetual runtime’ and AI stain detection.
  • Automakers scaled back physical car debuts as attention shifted to China’s shows, even as Nvidia introduced its Alpamayo autonomous-driving model, BMW moved its in-car assistant to Alexa+, and Ford targeted eyes-off, hands-free driving on a new EV platform in 2028.