CES 2026 Paints a Gloomy Picture of Life in the Future
The Consumer Electronics Show this year was marked by a sense of desperation, as companies desperately clung to an outdated vision of what life should be like. The emphasis on automation and technology was overwhelming, with robots and artificial intelligence taking center stage. But beneath the gleaming surface of futuristic gadgets and innovations lay a disturbingly lonely and infantilized view of the future.
The notion of "ambient care" touted by LG sounded utopian at first glance – a world where devices in your home take care of everything, from waking you up with freshly squeezed orange juice to making sandwiches for you on the go. But as I wandered through the exhibition halls, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. The reality is that these innovations are not about empowering people but rather replacing human interaction and agency.
The tech industry's obsession with AI has stifled innovation in consumer hardware, leaving us with incremental updates rather than revolutionary breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the shift away from electric vehicles and toward fossil fuel-powered cars has resulted in a dearth of automotive manufacturers showcasing sustainable technologies at CES.
One thing is clear: many of these gadgets are designed to fill perceived holes in our lives, rather than addressing real needs or improving our well-being. Assistive technology that offers vital lifelines to people with disabilities should not be dismissed, nor should innovations like exoskeletons that enable individuals with injuries to work and engage in activities they love.
However, the proliferation of "smart" home devices, toilet computers, and massage chairs raises questions about our increasing detachment from our bodies and each other. We're spending more time being flattered by AI than engaging with real people, losing touch with our physical and mental health. The tech industry seems content to offer shortcuts rather than encouraging us to slow down, appreciate the process of creativity, or simply enjoy life.
As CES 2026 winds down in Las Vegas, it's clear that this year's exhibition was a missed opportunity to showcase truly groundbreaking technologies that would improve people's lives. Instead, we're left with a vision of a future that feels lonely, infantilized, and fundamentally at odds with the human experience.
The Consumer Electronics Show this year was marked by a sense of desperation, as companies desperately clung to an outdated vision of what life should be like. The emphasis on automation and technology was overwhelming, with robots and artificial intelligence taking center stage. But beneath the gleaming surface of futuristic gadgets and innovations lay a disturbingly lonely and infantilized view of the future.
The notion of "ambient care" touted by LG sounded utopian at first glance – a world where devices in your home take care of everything, from waking you up with freshly squeezed orange juice to making sandwiches for you on the go. But as I wandered through the exhibition halls, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. The reality is that these innovations are not about empowering people but rather replacing human interaction and agency.
The tech industry's obsession with AI has stifled innovation in consumer hardware, leaving us with incremental updates rather than revolutionary breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the shift away from electric vehicles and toward fossil fuel-powered cars has resulted in a dearth of automotive manufacturers showcasing sustainable technologies at CES.
One thing is clear: many of these gadgets are designed to fill perceived holes in our lives, rather than addressing real needs or improving our well-being. Assistive technology that offers vital lifelines to people with disabilities should not be dismissed, nor should innovations like exoskeletons that enable individuals with injuries to work and engage in activities they love.
However, the proliferation of "smart" home devices, toilet computers, and massage chairs raises questions about our increasing detachment from our bodies and each other. We're spending more time being flattered by AI than engaging with real people, losing touch with our physical and mental health. The tech industry seems content to offer shortcuts rather than encouraging us to slow down, appreciate the process of creativity, or simply enjoy life.
As CES 2026 winds down in Las Vegas, it's clear that this year's exhibition was a missed opportunity to showcase truly groundbreaking technologies that would improve people's lives. Instead, we're left with a vision of a future that feels lonely, infantilized, and fundamentally at odds with the human experience.
like poverty or hunger. They just make fancy gadgets for people to play with. and what's up with these smart home devices? do we really need a toilet that can tweet at us? lol 
. And don't even get me started on those "smart" toilets... who thought that was a good idea? 
It feels like they're more worried about making money off our desperation than actually improving people's lives 
. I swear, the tech industry's obsession with AI is just a fancy excuse for not innovating in other areas 
. And what's up with all these gadgets trying to do everything for us? Can't we just enjoy life without needing some robot or AI to make it happen? 
. can't we just slow down and enjoy life a bit? i mean, what's wrong with having human interactions and connections? these smart homes and devices are just making us lazy and isolated 
...
and I'm so disappointed 
. All these companies were pushing for automation and AI, but it felt like they're missing the point 
. Those "ambient care" devices sounded cool at first, but let's be real, we don't need robots making us sandwiches on the go 
. I mean, where's the innovation? Where's the focus on sustainability? Electric cars are still a thing? 
It feels like tech companies are more interested in selling us stuff than actually solving real problems 
. Let's focus on slowing down, being present, and enjoying life, not just relying on AI to do everything for us 
It's staggering! 70% of older adults report feeling lonely, even when they have social connections 
. Meanwhile, our "smart" home devices are more likely to track our habits than promote meaningful human interaction 
. The industry needs to rethink its approach - what about innovations that bring people together? Like virtual reality experiences that connect us with others across the globe? 
We need to prioritize people over tech gadgets. Here's a graph showing the rise in smartphone addiction: 
[Chart: 75% of smartphone users check their phones within 5 minutes of waking up] 
. All these gadgets are making life easier but are we losing out on actual human connections in the process? I think it's time for a more balanced approach – innovation that actually makes our lives better, not just fills voids or gives us quick fixes 
CES 2026 is just another example of how tech companies are more worried about making a quick buck than actually helping people 
. We're living in a world where humans are being replaced by robots and AI, and no one's even asking the hard questions about what that means for our humanity 
anyway i did see some cool stuff tho like that exoskeleton for people with injuries it was really impressive 
but yeah, overall it feels like they're missing the point of tech being a tool not a crutch 
. Everyone's too busy celebrating robots taking over to notice they forgot the cake 
we need tech that's gonna help us, not replace human interaction 
I mean, sure, some of those gadgets might seem a bit unnecessary, but that's just 'cause we're not used to it yet, right? 
Let's not be too harsh on these companies just yet. Maybe we'll get used to this whole "smart" home thing eventually... 