We are 2 days away from #CES2026. In the week leading up to the show, I have been sharing hypotheses to test on the ground, signals to look for beyond the glitz. Here is another theory to consider as you traverse the show floor.
CES is quietly becoming a workforce show.
A growing share of what is being demoed is really about reshaping labor, not just showcasing technology. At a minimum, the innovations on display have pronounced implications for the future of work. New capabilities are showing up, and roles will shift around them.
I shared a few hypotheses on robots yesterday, and they are a perfect example of technology colliding with work. Here are some related questions to explore:
—> Are robots being sold as labor substitutes, or as productivity tools?
—> Is the pitch about fewer workers, or higher output?
—> Are we hearing “replacement,” or “task shifts,” “handoffs,” and “new workflows”?
I think we are a long way from work being replaced at scale. So far we have been pretty good at inventung new jobs faster than we eliminate old ones.
I will be on the show floor watching closely for how these innovations are redefining roles, changing frontline expectations, and rewiring what “good work” looks like.
If you are at CES, here is a simple lens to use: For every demo, ask, “What job changes because of this?”
Related content you might also like:
- AI Productivity Agents Signal the Start of the Agent Era
- Provisioned Agents: The Future of Digital Workers
- Harnessing AI for Enhanced Profitability in Times of Diminishing Demand
- Are remote firms sacrificing long-term knowledge gains for short-term productivity?
