Following years dominated by chatbots and image generation, artificial intelligence is now transitioning beyond digital interfaces. This significant shift was undeniably apparent at CES 2026.
The yearly technology exhibition in Las Vegas was heavily influenced by “physical AI” and robotics. Examples ranged from Boston Dynamics’ revamped Atlas humanoid robot to truly AI-driven ice makers. Companies present at the event aimed to convey a clear message to consumers: AI’s capabilities now extend far beyond simple question-answering, encompassing tasks like manipulating car components in manufacturing plants, capturing drones with net guns, and performing choreographed movements in automotive displays.
In the latest episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane discuss all the major announcements from CES 2026, along with other notable weekly business transactions.
Tune into the complete episode for insights on:
- The speculated IPO of Discord, occurring several years after its acquisition by Microsoft was called off
- xAI’s substantial $20 billion funding round and the concerning aspects of Grok’s problematic content moderation
- Mobileye’s entry into the field of humanoid robotics through its acquisition of Mentee Robotics
- OpenAI’s prospective move towards AI experiences prioritizing audio and eliminating screens
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