Tech Explained: Tech giants gear up for AI, chips and hardware push in 2026 in Simple Terms

As the technology sector heads into 2026, early signals are already emerging through confirmed announcements, product roadmaps and industry outlooks. The first major event of the year will be CES 2026, scheduled from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, with opening events beginning on January 4. The show is expected to feature announcements from companies including Samsung, LG, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Sony and Lenovo.

Samsung will open CES 2026 with its annual, The First Look 2026 event on January 4, where senior executives will outline the company’s AI-focused vision under the theme ‘Your Companion to AI Living.’

Several chipmakers have already confirmed launches at CES 2026. Intel has announced it will unveil its Core Ultra Series 3 Panther Lake processors, designed for premium laptops, while NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote on January 5 that will showcase the company’s latest solutions across industries.
AMD CEO Lisa Su is also set to outline upcoming chip announcements during a keynote address, while Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang will host Lenovo’s Tech World Conference at Sphere on January 6, focusing on the company’s AI strategy.

LG has said it will debut its first Micro RGB television at CES 2026, confirming certification for 100% colour gamut coverage in DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, along with over 1,000 dimming zones. Samsung has announced plans to expand its Micro RGB TV lineup, adding multiple screen sizes ranging from 55 inches to 115 inches.

Outside of CES, Google has confirmed it is working on AI-powered smart glasses, with two variants planned — one without a display and another featuring an integrated screen — both designed to work with its Gemini AI. Apple, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2026, is preparing to launch more than 20 products across iPhones, Macs, wearables and smart home devices, according to industry reports and supply chain leaks. Reports also indicate Apple Glasses, an AI-powered smart glasses project, is a key internal focus, with a potential unveiling later in 2026.

Industry outlooks point to artificial intelligence as a central focus in 2026. Deloitte Insights noted that a leading generative AI tool has reached more than 800 million weekly users and highlighted how AI adoption is driving changes in infrastructure, security and operating models.

Separately, EY said technology companies entering 2026 are focused on proving AI return on investment, expanding through mergers and joint ventures, and embedding safe and reliable AI practices, with an EY poll showing that 83% of tech CEOs are prioritising joint ventures and alliances.

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