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CES 2026 kicks off this week in Las Vegas, showcasing the latest tech across robotics, healthcare, automotive, wearables, gaming, and more. Hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, the multi-day event highlights innovations aimed at consumers and businesses alike. Artificial intelligence remains a major focus. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang will unveil new productivity AI tools, while AMD CEO Lisa Su shares her vision for future AI applications. AI is also expected in other key presentations, including Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang’s. In healthcare, AI addresses personal health challenges and data gaps, such as Beyond Medicine’s prescription app for a jaw disorder and tools for breast milk research. Robotics draws attention too. LG will showcase its household assistant robot “CLOiD,” and Hyundai highlights advances in robotics and manufacturing. Extended reality, used for virtual training of robots and AI systems, is another key focus. Japan turns to new technology as dementia cases surge CES 2025 drew more than 141,000 attendees from over 150 countries; similar numbers are expected this year, with 3,500+ exhibitors. AP spoke with CTA Executive Chair and CEO Gary Shapiro about what to expect at CES 2026.  What are the key trends to watch at this year’s CES? There’s quite a lot on display. Artificial intelligence continues to take center stage, particularly in applications that are practical and user-friendly. Robotics is also a major focus, with more robots—especially humanoid models—than ever before. Health and longevity are receiving significant attention as well, with wearable devices designed for nearly every part of the body. Technology is rapidly addressing gaps in healthcare, benefiting consumers across the board. Mobility innovations are prominent too, extending beyond self-driving cars to include boats, drones, and various other transportation solutions. Finally, content creation remains a major theme, reflecting its ongoing importance in the tech landscape.  Will 2026 be the year humanoid robots start appearing in people’s homes?  Humanoid robots already exist, though performance varies. Their numbers are growing, and CES is expected to showcase even more models in the coming years. Last year’s highlight was a lifelike robotic dog that charmed attendees. Yet, humanoid robots are just one part of robotics, with many designed for specialized tasks beyond human ability.  Will AI play a bigger role in entertainment? AI is shaping the future of creativity. While AI can be creative, human ideas remain unique. The future will likely be a hybrid approach, with creators using AI to develop variations and reach wider audiences. Any notable AI devices or services for consumers? AI is appearing in many devices, with a new focus on helping people with disabilities and older adults. For example, Verizon’s CES stage highlighted ways technology can assist these communities. Robots, AI, and High-Tech innovations on display at China’s National Games  Is there a risk of an AI bubble? There’s no bubble when it comes to AI’s potential. It has the ability to tackle major issues in healthcare, food production, and the environment. Unlike the internet boom of the 1990s, today’s AI companies already generate substantial revenue and continue to attract investment. What concerns me more isn’t a market bubble, but having enough energy to support AI processing. At CES this year, a Korean company is showcasing the first small-scale nuclear-powered energy device, highlighting efforts to meet the growing power demands of AI technology.

Tesla has lost its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer after annual sales dropped for the second consecutive year, pressured by backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s political views, the end of U.S. tax incentives, and growing international competition. The company reported delivering 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, a 9% decline from the previous year. Chinese automaker BYD overtook Tesla by selling 2.26 million vehicles, becoming the new global leader in EV sales. The shift marks a dramatic turn for Tesla, once seen as an unstoppable force that surpassed traditional automakers and helped make Musk the world’s wealthiest individual. The sales slump came despite a high-profile endorsement last year from President Donald Trump, who publicly praised Musk and announced plans to purchase a Tesla after showcasing the vehicles at the White House. In the fourth quarter, Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles, missing analysts’ already-lowered expectation of about 440,000 units, according to FactSet. Demand was further weakened by the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax credit for EV buyers, which the Trump administration phased out at the end of September. Tesla shares fell 2.6% on Friday to $438.07. Still, investors remain optimistic about the company’s long-term vision, particularly Musk’s plans to expand robotaxi services and introduce humanoid robots for home and workplace use. Reflecting that confidence, Tesla’s stock ended 2025 up roughly 11%. The most recent quarter marked the debut of lower-cost versions of the Model Y and Model 3, unveiled in October to stimulate demand. The Model Y now starts just below $40,000, while the Model 3 is priced under $37,000. These models are expected to help Tesla better compete with lower-priced Chinese vehicles in Europe and Asia. Looking ahead to earnings expected in late January, analysts anticipate a 3% decline in quarterly sales and nearly a 40% drop in earnings per share. However, many forecast a gradual recovery in sales and profits as 2026 progresses. Although Musk previously predicted a strong rebound in vehicle sales, investors have largely shifted their attention to Tesla’s evolving business focus. Musk has emphasized that the company’s future lies more in autonomous driving, energy storage, and robotics than in traditional car sales. Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin in June, initially with safety supervisors onboard before moving to limited testing without them. The company aims to expand the service to additional cities this year but faces stiff competition from Waymo, which has operated autonomous taxis for years, as well as regulatory hurdles. Tesla is currently subject to multiple federal safety investigations and could temporarily lose its license to sell vehicles in California following a court ruling that it misled consumers about vehicle safety. “Regulation will be a major challenge,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, noting the risks involved with autonomous technology. Still, he believes Tesla’s self-driving initiatives will ultimately prevail. Musk has said that software updates could soon allow hundreds of thousands of Teslas to operate fully autonomously, and the company plans to begin producing its steering-wheel-free Cybercab in 2026. To keep Musk engaged, Tesla’s board approved a new, potentially massive compensation package backed by shareholders in November. Musk also received a major boost recently when Delaware’s Supreme Court reinstated a $55 billion pay package originally awarded in 2018. Musk could further increase his wealth later this year if SpaceX goes public, an initial public offering that analysts expect to be one of the largest ever.

China’s military announced Wednesday that it has wrapped up two days of large-scale exercises near Taiwan, concluding a show of force that heightened regional tensions as 2025 drew to a close. In a statement released late Tuesday, the People’s Liberation Army said the drills, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” were completed successfully and served to test the military’s joint combat capabilities. The announcement, delivered through a short video accompanied by patriotic music, did not provide operational details or specify the exact time the maneuvers ended. According to earlier notices, the exercises were conducted Monday and Tuesday in waters surrounding Taiwan, though it remained unclear whether some activities extended into Wednesday. Senior Capt. Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, said Chinese forces remain on heightened alert and will continue to boost combat readiness through intensive training. He said the military would firmly counter what Beijing calls “Taiwan independence” movements and outside interference, while safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan remains Beijing’s most sensitive diplomatic and security issue. China claims the self-governed island as part of its territory and has vowed to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan separated from China in 1949 following the Chinese civil war and has since maintained its own democratic government. China routinely sends military aircraft and naval vessels near the island and has expanded the frequency and scale of such operations in recent years. President Xi Jinping alluded to Taiwan in his New Year’s Eve address, saying people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share close ties and asserting that national reunification is inevitable. The latest drills drew criticism from several countries. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the exercises increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait and urged Beijing to resolve disputes peacefully. The Philippines also expressed concern, warning the actions could destabilize the broader Indo-Pacific region. The United States recently announced a major arms package for Taiwan, prompting sharp criticism from Beijing. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the drills, saying China has conducted naval exercises in the area for decades. Source: AP 

North Korea on Monday said it launched long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea as part of efforts to verify the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent, days after revealing apparent progress in building its first nuclear-powered submarine. The missile launches on Sunday marked Pyongyang’s latest show of military strength ahead of an upcoming congress of the ruling Workers’ Party scheduled for early next year. The rare party meeting, the first in five years, is expected to draw close international scrutiny over whether leader Kim Jong Un will set new directions for relations with the United States and respond to Washington’s calls to revive stalled nuclear talks. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim observed the launches off the country’s west coast and expressed strong satisfaction with the results. He was quoted as saying that verifying the reliability of North Korea’s nuclear deterrence and demonstrating its power were legitimate acts of self-defense and deterrence against external threats. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that it had detected multiple cruise missile launches from the Pyongyang area on Sunday morning, adding that Seoul remains fully prepared to counter any potential provocations through its alliance with the United States. While UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, cruise missile launches are not prohibited. However, analysts warn they still pose a serious threat to South Korea and the United States because such missiles can fly at low altitudes and maneuver to evade radar systems. In a conflict, they could be used to target US naval vessels, including aircraft carriers. In recent days, North Korea also test-fired new anti-aircraft missiles and released images suggesting that the hull of a nuclear-powered submarine under development is nearing completion. North Korea shows progress in nuclear-powered submarine The country has hinted that the submarine would be capable of carrying nuclear weapons. A nuclear-powered submarine is among several advanced weapons systems Kim has pledged to develop, citing what he calls US-led security threats. Some analysts believe North Korea’s closer military cooperation with Russia, including support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, may have helped it gain access to key technologies. Pyongyang has continued weapons testing since nuclear negotiations with former US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. However, Kim signaled in September that talks could resume if Washington abandons its push for denuclearization, with experts suggesting he may view his expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage in any future negotiations. Source: AP 

China made significant progress in industrial technology innovation in 2025, with the size of its core artificial intelligence (AI) sector surpassing 1 trillion yuan (around $142 billion), according to a national conference on industry and information technology held on Friday. The conference said that under its 2026 plans, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will focus on nurturing and expanding emerging and future-oriented industries, while continuing to strengthen research and development in AI. The ministry plans to build new key growth sectors, including integrated circuits, next-generation display technologies, advanced materials, aerospace, the low-altitude economy and biomedicine. Officials projected that the total added value of major industrial enterprises will rise by 5.9 percent year on year in 2025. Official figures showed that from January to November, value added by large high-tech manufacturing firms and equipment manufacturers grew by 9.2 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year. China has also fostered more than 600,000 small and medium-sized enterprises driven by technology and innovation, while the number of high-tech companies nationwide has climbed to 504,000. Industry and Information Technology Minister Li Lecheng said continued efforts are needed to maintain the industrial sector’s stable growth and further strengthen the self-reliance and resilience of industrial supply chains.  

North Korea on Thursday showcased apparent advances in building a nuclear-powered submarine, with state media images revealing a nearly finished hull, as leader Kim Jong Un criticized South Korea’s efforts to acquire similar technology. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim visited a shipyard to inspect what the North describes as an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine, which he has called a key step in modernizing and arming the country’s navy with nuclear capabilities. The North has suggested plans to equip the vessel with nuclear weapons, describing it as a “strategic guided missile submarine” or “strategic nuclear attack submarine.” During the inspection, Kim denounced South Korea’s nuclear submarine ambitions, supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as an “offensive act” violating North Korea’s security and maritime sovereignty. He said the South’s plans emphasize the need for North Korea to continue developing and arming its own naval forces, claiming the submarine’s completion would mark an “epoch-making” advance in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrent. KCNA released photos of Kim inspecting a large, burgundy-painted submarine inside an assembly hall, marking the first state media images of the vessel since March. Experts say the largely completed hull suggests that most internal systems, including the engine and possibly the reactor, are already installed, indicating the submarine could be ready for sea trials in the coming months. The nuclear-powered submarine is part of Kim’s broader military modernization plans, which include hypersonic weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, multi-warhead systems, and spy satellites. Analysts warn that a stealth-capable, missile-launching submarine would pose a significant challenge for regional security. North Korea’s recent military cooperation with Russia may have aided its technological development, though some experts believe the reactor is likely domestically produced with possible Russian assistance. Meanwhile, South Korea has pursued its own nuclear submarine program, with U.S. support under discussion, though details of construction and nuclear fuel acquisition remain unclear. KCNA also reported that Kim oversaw tests of new anti-air missiles launched into the sea, prompting South Korea and U.S. intelligence agencies to assess the weapons. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have intensified in recent years as Kim accelerates his nuclear program and strengthens ties with Moscow. Source: AP 

Bolivia’s new government has lifted restrictions on international satellite internet companies, paving the way for services such as Starlink and Kuiper to operate in the country as authorities seek to improve one of South America’s slowest internet networks. President Rodrigo Paz on Tuesday signed a decree removing limits imposed by the previous administration, allowing global satellite providers to offer nationwide coverage. The restrictions had been introduced under former president Luis Arce, whose government last year denied SpaceX-owned Starlink a license, citing concerns over data protection and national sovereignty. Bolivia has long struggled to expand reliable internet access, particularly in remote areas. In 2013, the government of then-president Evo Morales purchased a Chinese-built satellite, Tupac Katari, promising it would transform connectivity. However, the satellite, which operates from a geostationary orbit about 35,000 kilometers above Earth, failed to deliver significant improvements in speed. By contrast, modern satellite networks such as Starlink operate much closer to Earth, enabling faster data transmission. A November report by connectivity firm Ookla ranked Bolivia last in South America for both mobile and fixed broadband speeds. President Paz said opening the market to international satellite companies would help “reduce the digital divide” and provide high-quality internet access nationwide. “We became spectators while the rest of the world advanced,” he said. “That is over.” The president also announced plans for foreign firms, including Tesla, Amazon, Tether and Oracle, to invest in data centers near El Alto and Cochabamba as part of efforts to attract investment and ease an economic crisis marked by dollar shortages. Source: AP 

Just days before Christmas, a cyberattack forced France’s national postal service offline on Monday, causing delays in parcel deliveries and disrupting online payment systems at one of the busiest times of the year. The outage frustrated customers and added pressure on postal employees already stretched by the holiday rush. By Monday evening, more than eight hours after the problem began, the disruption had still not been fully resolved. No group immediately took responsibility for the attack, though speculation circulated among workers and the public. Authorities declined to comment on who might be behind it, while Paris prosecutors opened an investigation. La Poste described the incident as a “major network failure,” later explaining it was caused by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that made its online platforms unavailable. The company said customer data was not compromised, but services requiring tracking or access to internal systems were brought to a halt. Standard letter mail, including holiday cards, continued to operate. The cyberattack also affected La Poste’s banking subsidiary, La Banque Postale. Customers were temporarily unable to use the mobile app to authorize payments or carry out other transactions, prompting the bank to switch to text-message approvals. The bank said teams were working urgently to restore normal operations. The disruption followed a series of recent cyber incidents in France. Just a week earlier, the Interior Ministry was targeted in a separate attack that resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive files linked to police data. Authorities said human error contributed to that breach, and a suspect was detained. Prosecutors are also investigating another suspected cyber plot involving software intended to remotely control systems on an international passenger ferry. A Latvian crew member has been arrested on suspicion of acting on behalf of an unidentified foreign power. France and other European nations supportive of Ukraine have accused Russia of conducting “hybrid warfare,” alleging tactics such as cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and covert operations that are difficult to trace directly back to Moscow.

France will construct a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of carrying 30 fighter jets and accommodating about 2,000 sailors, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday, citing the need to strengthen the country’s maritime power in an increasingly unstable global environment. Speaking to French troops in Abu Dhabi, Macron said the decision to proceed with the large-scale project was taken this week following detailed assessments and in line with France’s recent military planning laws. He stressed that strong naval capabilities are essential “in an age of predators.” The new carrier, expected to enter service in 2038, will replace the Charles de Gaulle, which has been operational since 2001. The vessel will have a displacement of around 78,000 tons and measure 310 meters in length, significantly larger than the current carrier but still smaller than the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest warship. Like its predecessor, the new carrier will be powered by nuclear energy and equipped with Rafale M fighter aircraft. According to the French defense ministry, it will be designed for rapid, long-range and heavily armed deployments over extended periods. Macron said the project would support hundreds of suppliers, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, and pledged personal oversight, including a planned visit to the shipyard early next year. The cost of the carrier was estimated at around 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) in 2023. Macron has also announced an additional 6.5 billion euros in defense spending over the next two years, with total military expenditure projected to reach 64 billion euros by 2027—double the level when he took office in 2017. France currently has about 200,000 active military personnel and more than 40,000 reservists, making it the European Union’s second-largest armed force. The government aims to increase the number of reservists to 80,000 by 2030. Source: AP 

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has become the first person ever to surpass a net worth of $700 billion, following a Delaware Supreme Court decision that restored a huge stock options award previously scrapped by a lower court. According to Forbes’ billionaires index, Musk’s fortune stood at an estimated $749 billion on Friday after the court reinstated Tesla stock options now valued at $139 billion. The latest surge came just four days after Musk broke through the $600 billion threshold. The stock options originate from Musk’s 2018 compensation plan, which at one point was valued at $56 billion. In 2024, the Delaware Court of Chancery invalidated the package, describing the approval process as “unfathomable” and pointing to Musk’s dominance over Tesla’s board. On Friday, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed that ruling, stating that cancelling the pay package had been improper and unfair. In response, Forbes lifted the 50 percent haircut it had imposed on the options since January 2024, boosting Musk’s estimated wealth by almost $70 billion. With the options restored, Tesla has once again become the cornerstone of Musk’s wealth. He holds roughly 12 percent of the electric vehicle maker’s common shares, worth about $199 billion. Together with the reinstated options, Musk’s total Tesla-related holdings are estimated at $338 billion. This calculation excludes a separate performance-based compensation plan approved by Tesla shareholders in November, which has been described as the largest corporate pay package ever. If long-term growth and valuation targets are achieved, that plan could eventually award Musk Tesla stock valued at up to $1 trillion. Musk’s second-largest holding is his estimated 42 percent stake in SpaceX, valued at around $336 billion following a recent private tender offer that pegged the company’s worth at about $800 billion. Media reports have indicated that SpaceX may consider an initial public offering as early as 2026. Forbes data show Musk’s wealth now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page, currently the world’s second-richest individual, by nearly $500 billion, highlighting the unprecedented scale of Musk’s lead atop the global rich list. Source: With inputs from Indian media