The day kicked off with a powerful keynote from Siemens President and CEO Dr. Roland Busch spotlighting the company’s deepening partnership with NVIDIA. He was joined by NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang and together the tech giants unveiled plans for an Industrial AI Operating System, designed to revolutionize how companies design, engineer and operate physical systems.

Dr. Busch also introduced Siemens’ flagship product for CES 2026: the Digital Twin Composer, set to launch mid-year on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace. This tool combines Siemens’ comprehensive digital twin technology with NVIDIA Omniverse simulations and real-time engineering data. Imagine creating a virtual 3D model of any product, process or plant, placing it in a custom scene and then moving through time to visualize everything from weather impacts to engineering changes. It’s a game-changer for industries seeking resilience and precision, and the audience was treated to the first glance of this new tech.

CES expanded its commitment to inclusivity with the grand opening of the Accessibility Stage. Fred Moltz, Verizon’s Chief Accessibility Officer, shared insights on how innovation drives equity for all, setting the tone for a series of sessions dedicated to breaking barriers. The CTA Foundation Innovation Challenge also took center stage, spotlighting digital health solutions that empower individuals and enhance quality of life. Congrats to the winner  HapWare (Techstars '25)! And runner-up, Lotus.

Longevity and aging innovation were front and center again at the AgeTech Collaborative, back for a second year. Attendees explored cutting-edge startups, engaged with visionary CEOs and experienced demos that reimagine aging in a tech-driven world. From health monitoring to lifestyle enhancements, the future of aging looks smarter — and more connected — than ever.

Yannick Bolloré, CEO of Havas and Chairman of Vivendi, delivered an inspiring keynote at C Space. His message? The convergence of technology and human ingenuity is unlocking unprecedented creative possibilities. As brands and creators navigate this new era, collaboration between tech and talent will define the next wave of storytelling. Bolloré also announced AVA, a new AI-powered platform designed to help teams move from brief to breakthrough in record time.

One of the most anticipated conversations of the day was the live taping of the All-In podcast, featuring Jason Calacanis alongside Bob Sternfels of McKinsey and Hemant Taneja of General Catalyst. The trio explored how AI is reshaping strategy, investment and innovation, offering candid insights into the opportunities and challenges ahead for businesses navigating this technological shift.

Television is entering a new era — one powered by innovation in color fidelity. On the CES show floor, we saw new RGB LED displays using red, green and blue backlight technology to elevate the viewing experience. This offers remarkable color precision, richer tones, vibrant colors and increasingly immersive visuals. In addition to RGB LED TVs, look for new technology advancements in quantum dots and color filters that will also enhance color fidelity, precision and viewing experience.  

Lenovo made a bold statement bringing its Tech World experience inside the iconic Sphere in Las Vegas. CEO Yuanqing Yang delivered a fully immersive showcase centered on artificial intelligence and real-world applications, with leaders from NVIDIA, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, Sphere and FIFA joining him throughout the presentation. Plus, he announced a new artificial intelligence platform, Lenovo Qira, and unveiled several new devices including ThinkPads in the Aura edition portfolio and Motorola’s first folding phone that opens like a book, the Razr Fold.

After the keynote, the audience enjoyed a performance by pop singer Gwen Stefani.

As the day wound down, CES welcomed global attendees to the International Reception, a networking event where exhibitors, media and innovators connected over refreshments. It was a reminder that CES is not just a showcase of technology — it’s a global community driving progress together.

Day one of CES 2026 showed us that technology isn’t just about devices. It’s about shaping experiences, industries and lives. From industrial AI to accessibility and creative innovation, the future feels closer than ever. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

CTA's Brian Comisky, Sr. Director, Innovation and Trends, walked the CES show floor on opening day, and he's sharing some of the coolest tech he spotted along the way.

• John Deere – AI Powered Farm and AgBot Technologies; LVCC Campus, West Hall Booth 4718
• Flint Paper Battery – Paper Battery; LVCC Campus, Noth Hall, Booth 9763
• PLIYT – Autonomous Pod; LVCC Campus, LVCC Campus, West Hall, Booth 7600
• Omi – Omi Wearable; Venetian Campus, Venetian Hall G (Eureka Park), Booth 60267 
• Insta360 – Insta360 Link 2 Pro and Insta360 Link 2C Pro; LVCC Campus, Central Hall, Booth 14050