Wandering the seemingly endless rows of gadget displays at CES 2026 feels a little like stepping into a sci-fi movie. There’s a sense of the extraordinary as artificial intelligence permeates every corner of the technology landscape—from your wristwatch to your fridge. While the integration of AI into such ubiquitous objects can bring fascinating advantages and prompt marvels, it also raises eyebrows when nestled in objects where its presence seems unnecessary or downright baffling.
The show is witnessing an unprecedented increase in AI companions—talking pets, robotic mates, and digital avatars, all designed to offer companionship, or at least, try to. An example that stood out was an avatar of the prominent animator Hayao Miyazaki accompanied by his creation Totoro, presented on a modest palm-sized screen. One cannot help but ponder over Miyazaki’s reaction to his digital reincarnation. My guess is he wouldn’t be over the moon.
Artificial intelligence isn’t exclusive to company bots. It has made surprise appearances in realms as unrelated as hair grooming and vacuuming. A notable instance is Glyde’s smart hair clippers that deliver a “personalized grooming experience”. But what does that really mean? The definitions provided by the representatives were remarkably unclear, oscillating around terms like “adaptive trimming” and “AI-enhanced precision”, which, when stripped down to their essence, denote little more than an expensive regular haircut with a fancy label slapped on it.
It’s proving challenging to distinguish genuine innovation from marketing gimmickry at CES 2026. Some companies seem to add the AI tag to their products without a second thought, even when it’s unclear what this artificial intelligence component really entails. Is it truly AI if a vacuum adjusts its suction force based on the thickness of the carpet it’s traversing, or is it simply a traditional motor working hand in hand with a sensor?
As artificial intelligence penetrates every facet of the technology industry, it begs the question: Are these applications actually enhancing our lives, or are they just complicating them and inflating price tags to boot? Sure, some have potential, but many others just feel extraneous and give the sense of technology for technology’s sake. CES has always been a playground for the daring and peculiar, and this year is no different with its AI offerings.
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