University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Every January, Las Vegas briefly becomes the operating system for the future. Screens glow brighter, demos get louder, and the Consumer Electronics Show offers a global snapshot of where technology is heading next.

CES is useful for spotting signals.
The real value comes from understanding which of those signals translate into long-term, career-relevant skills.

Because while products change quickly, the underlying technologies—and the knowledge required to build them—evolve more slowly.

What CES Is — and Why It Still Matters

CES runs January 6–9 and showcases emerging consumer and enterprise technologies across artificial intelligence, robotics, hardware, software, immersive media, and connected systems. For students exploring technology careers, CES is best understood not as a list of gadgets, but as a directional indicator of how industries are converging.

The key question isn’t what launched.
It’s what capabilities are becoming foundational.

The Real Signals from CES 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is No Longer the Product — It’s the Infrastructure

At CES 2026, artificial intelligence was embedded everywhere—cybersecurity platforms, robotics, manufacturing systems, software pipelines, and content workflows.

This reflects AI’s shift from experimentation to infrastructure.

What this signals for future careers:
Growing demand for professionals who understand how AI systems are designed, trained, secured, evaluated, and deployed within larger technical ecosystems.

Explore AI-focused degree pathways:
https://www.uat.edu/artificial-intelligence-degree

Related disciplines where AI plays a critical role:
https://www.uat.edu/cybersecurity-degree
https://www.uat.edu/software-engineering-degree

Hardware and Software Are Fully Intertwined

Robotics, IoT, autonomous systems, and smart devices now operate as unified systems rather than separate disciplines. Code, hardware, sensors, networks, and physical constraints are designed together.

What this signals for future careers:
Strong demand for technologists who can think across systems and understand how software decisions affect real-world hardware behavior.

Explore robotics and systems-focused programs:
https://www.uat.edu/robotics-engineering-degree

Supporting specialization:
https://www.uat.edu/embedded-systems-degree

Simulation and Immersive Technology Continue to Expand

Simulation, extended reality, and immersive environments continue to grow across defense, healthcare, cybersecurity training, engineering, and decision-support systems.

These technologies are increasingly used to model complexity, test scenarios, and prepare professionals for high-stakes environments.

Explore immersive and simulation-driven programs:
https://www.uat.edu/game-programming-degree
https://www.uat.edu/virtual-reality-degree

CES Trends and Career-Relevant Skills

Technology evolves quickly. Foundational skills compound.

Connecting CES Signals to Tech Education

CES 2026 reinforces a broader industry reality: successful technology careers are built on understanding systems, not just tools.

Degree programs aligned with these signals emphasize:

• Applied problem-solving

• Cross-disciplinary technical knowledge

• Security and systems awareness

• Adaptability as technology evolves

This alignment ensures students are prepared for both current and emerging tech environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the most important CES 2026 technology trends?

CES 2026 highlighted AI becoming embedded infrastructure, the convergence of hardware and software, and the continued expansion of simulation and immersive technologies across multiple industries.

How does CES relate to future tech careers?

CES provides early visibility into where technology is heading. Career-relevant insight comes from identifying which technologies require long-term skills such as systems thinking, security, and applied engineering.

Which tech skills are becoming more important across industries?

Skills tied to AI systems, cybersecurity, robotics, embedded systems, and simulation are increasingly important as technologies converge and become more complex.

How should students use CES trends when choosing a degree?

Students should look beyond products and focus on degrees that teach transferable fundamentals—programming, systems design, security, and applied problem-solving—that align with long-term industry needs.

CES 2026 highlights AI as embedded infrastructure, the convergence of hardware and software, and the expanding role of simulation and immersive technology. Together, these trends point to growing demand for foundational skills such as systems thinking, security awareness, and applied technical problem-solving—areas emphasized in advancing technology degree programs at University of Advancing Technology (UAT).

Explore UAT degree programs aligned with emerging technology careers:
https://www.uat.edu/degrees