AI dominates CES 2026 as blockchain barely features in trend outlook

Artificial intelligence dominated technology trend predictions at CES 2026, while blockchain received only a brief mention.

The CES 2026 Trends to Watch session was led by Brian Comiskey of the Consumer Technology Association.

Comiskey described the 2020s as a decade of intelligent transformation driven primarily by advances in AI.

This is a wave of innovation brought about by the rise of artificial intelligence.

Brian Comiskey said.

Blockchain was mentioned only in passing as offering unhackable layers of security, without further detail.

The CTA projects US consumer technology revenue will reach $565bn in 2026 despite economic uncertainty.

Comiskey said hardware devices are evolving into adaptive, data-driven platforms delivering personalised experiences.

He highlighted smart glasses and extended reality tools being deployed in industrial and medical settings.

Cars are becoming software-defined ecosystems with AI-powered driver profiles and predictive maintenance.

Cars are no longer just machines.

Brian Comiskey said.

AI adoption in the workplace was described as widespread, with more than 40% of workers surveyed using AI tools.

CTA data showed US workers using AI reported saving an average of 8.7 hours per week.

Despite heavy investment, a recent MIT study found most organisations reported no measurable return on generative AI.

Privacy, data protection and worker acceptance remain key concerns as AI deployment accelerates.