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EY at CES 2026

CES 2026 week in review: Scaling AI, trust and impact

Join EY leaders at CES, where the industry’s sharpest minds unveil their latest releases and boldest breakthroughs.

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 reinforced a growing shift from emerging-tech hype to enterprise execution — with organizations focused on turning innovation into scalable products, resilient operations and trusted customer experiences. Across the week, the dominant conversation was not whether artificial intelligence (AI) and connected technology will transform industries, but how quickly companies can industrialize it with the right architecture, governance and talent.

With more than 4,100 exhibitors and more than 148,000 attendees, CES served as a global proving ground for what is next across AI-powered products, platforms and business models. The event drew about 6,900 media, creators and analysts and featured representation from more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies, underscoring how mainstream — and competitive — these technology bets have become.

EY professionals led 15 sessions featuring clients and industry leaders, spotlighting the practical choices organizations are making to scale innovation responsibly and profitably. Key conversations focused on what it takes for AI and tech startups to build predictable growth, the next wave of connected living as devices work more seamlessly together and how experiential entertainment is evolving as brands extend intellectual property (IP) through hybrid, high-engagement events. Sessions also explored the rise of agentic systems and what they mean for decision-making and workforce roles, alongside sector deep dives on scaling AI across manufacturing ecosystems and automotive and software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms to improve operations, accelerate development and deliver more personalized mobility.

Explore these select Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) at CES sessions to learn how leading organizations are translating breakthrough technologies into measurable outcomes — building trust, strengthening performance, empowering their people and creating long-term value at enterprise scale.

The AI Reckoning: Blueprints for Tomorrow’s Winners

Maurice Conti, Founder, Applied Intelligence, and Dan Diasio, EY Global AI Consulting Leader, Ernst & Young LLP, discussed how leaders can use the Four Futures of AI framework as a scenario lens to pressure test strategy and avoid common misconceptions — especially underestimating the scope of operating model change and the potential upside. They emphasized moving from pilots to enterprise impact by approaching AI as an operating model rather than a collection of tools, putting leadership alignment and governance in place early and prioritizing initiatives through clear value and feasibility filters. The discussion also highlighted how to keep AI strategies flexible as the technology evolves and what to track on the journey to becoming AI-native by pairing adoption and culture indicators with outcome-based business metrics. Watch the full session below for a deeper dive into the Four Futures of AI — and what it takes to move from experimentation to true AI-native advantage.    

AI at Scale: Powering the Future of Automotive

EY Americas Automotive Leader George Lenyo led a discussion with Franziska Bell on how Ford applies artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance automotive efficiency while maintaining strong human oversight. Bell emphasized responsible governance, workforce training, and transparent collaboration. Together, they highlighted how ethical AI can deliver clear business value.

Smarter, Safer, Autonomous: L4 Changes the Safety Equation

Level 4 autonomy allows vehicles to operate without human intervention under specific conditions. Panelists Andrew Culhane and Mike Thoeny joined Bryan Chance, EY Americas Commercial Growth & Innovation Leader for Aerospace, Defense and Mobility to talk about autonomous vehicles and stressed that transparency, data sharing, and community engagement are vital for building public trust. Although commercial applications are promising, widespread adoption relies on consumer confidence in established safety.

CES 2026 underscored a clear shift from innovation showcase to enterprise execution — where advantage comes from scaling AI and connected tech with the right architecture, governance and talent. Across the conversations, the common thread was moving beyond pilots by building trusted platforms, stronger data foundations and fit-for-purpose governance, while staying focused on measurable outcomes and predictable growth. Leaders also emphasized designing for seamless ecosystems across connected living and partner networks, preparing for agentic systems that will reshape decision-making and workforce roles and applying AI with industry specificity — from modernizing manufacturing operations to accelerating automotive and SDV platforms. The momentum does not stop here — tune back to see how EY US will show up at CES in 2027.

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    How EY can help

    The team

    Whitt Butler

    EY Americas Vice Chair – Consulting
    Transformational leader driven by values and purpose. Global strategist and innovator. People-focused team builder. Proud husband and father. Golf enthusiast.
    Akron, OH, United States

    Javi Borges

    EY Global and EY Americas Media & Entertainment (M&E) Sector Leader
    Fueled by making an impact on community and clients. Passionate about music, inclusion, Athletic Club Bilbao, travel and connecting ideas and people. Proud husband, father, Florida State Seminole.
    Miami, FL, United States

    Dan Diasio

    EY Global Consulting AI Leader
    Contributing to a positive, responsible future for our people and the next generation. Connector. Curious about the new and the old. Husband and Papa.
    New York, NY, United States

    Constantin M. Gall

    EY-Parthenon Europe West Managing Partner; EY Global Aerospace Defense & Mobility Practice Leader
    Decades in transactions, corporate finance, strategy and global management. Transformation driver. Entrepreneurial spirit. Passionate about mobility, innovation, travel and exploring new cultures.
    Stuttgart, Germany

    Rahul Gautam

    EY Global Technology, Media & Entertainment and Telecommunications (TMT) Consulting Leader; EY Americas Media & Entertainment Consulting Leader
    Accelerating growth for world's most innovative TMT companies. Empowering people with technology that drives change and creativity.
    New York, NY, United States

    Jerry Gootee

    EY Global and Americas Industrial Products Leader
    Consulting leader with nearly 30 years of experience. Passionate about developing people, building relationships and serving clients. Guitarist and vocalist. Golfer and Cleveland sports enthusiast.
    Akron, OH, United States

    Traci Gusher

    EY Americas AI and Data Leader
    Uses advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to bring value to clients’ challenging issues and opportunities. Experienced triathlete. Passionate about animal rescue and cancer research.
    Philadelphia, PA, United States

    John Harrison

    EY Americas Media & Entertainment Growth Leader
    Transformative leader with a passion for media and entertainment. Identifying the opportunities afforded by convergence and disruption. Executing strategies to succeed in a fast-moving market.
    New York, NY, United States

    Cate Mork

    EY Americas Sustainable Supply Chain Leader
    Helping clients drive change through transformation. Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. Traveler and technology enthusiast. Wife and proud mum to three Tongan-Scottish youngsters.
    Atlanta, GA, United States

    Raman Ram

    EY Americas Aerospace, Defense & Mobility Leader
    Value-focused A&D leader. Transforms organizations. Turns facts and insights into practical strategies. Accelerates performance and value realization. Enjoys hiking and building home theater systems.
    McLean, VA, United States

    Kristin Valente

    EY Americas Chief Client Officer
    Idea instigator, risk taker and changemaker. Believer in the diversity of thought. Wife. Mother of three. Sister to 12. Chef and artist. Advocate for at-risk youth and for all.
    Portland, OR, United States

    George Lenyo

    EY Americas Automotive Leader and Global Coordinating Service Partner
    Dynamic industry leader. Deep expertise in automotive and manufacturing. Champion of innovation. Dedicated mentor, volunteer, and advocate for a better world.
    Detroit, MI, United States
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