CES 2026: Showbiz Leaders Discuss AI at Variety Summit

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) returned to Las Vegas for its 2026 edition, continuing a tradition that began decades ago. Launched in 1967, the massive technology trade show spent years moving between cities before permanently settling in Las Vegas in January 1998. This location has served as the home base for the event for nearly three decades.

Integral to the CES experience is the Variety Entertainment Summit, which has been a fixture of the New Year's tradition for more than half of the event's history. The summit serves as a bridge between the technology sector and the entertainment industry, gathering leaders to discuss emerging trends. The 2026 summit maintained this focus, bringing together executives and innovators to explore the evolving landscape of digital media and consumer electronics.

The Consumer Electronics Show has a rich history dating back to its launch in 1967. Over the decades, the event has evolved significantly, reflecting the rapid changes in the technology sector. In its early years, the show was a nomadic event, moving to different cities and varying spots on the calendar to accommodate industry needs.

This period of movement lasted for more than thirty years. The organizers eventually found a permanent home for the event in 1998. Since that year, CES has been held annually in Las Vegas, specifically during the month of January. This consistency has helped establish the event as the premier stage for consumer technology announcements.

Running parallel to the broader technology showcase is the Variety Entertainment Summit. This summit has been a consistent presence at CES for more than half of the years the show has been in operation. It acts as a dedicated forum for the intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley.

The summit brings together leaders from various sectors of the entertainment industry. Attendees typically include executives from film, television, music, and digital streaming services. The event facilitates discussions on how consumer technology impacts content creation, distribution, and consumption. It remains a key component of the January tradition in Las Vegas.

The 2026 summit placed a heavy emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence in the entertainment sector. Industry leaders took a deep dive into the capabilities and implications of AI technologies. Discussions centered on how these tools are reshaping creative processes and business operations within the media landscape.

Key topics of conversation likely included:

• AI-driven content generation and editing
• Personalized user experiences in streaming
• Automation in production workflows
• Ethical considerations of AI usage

The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by this rapidly advancing technology.

Since 1998, Las Vegas has been the undisputed host city for CES. The city's infrastructure and convention facilities are well-suited for an event of this magnitude. Holding the summit in January provides an early look at the technology trends that will likely dominate the year.

The partnership between the city and the tech industry has proven successful for nearly thirty years. The Variety Entertainment Summit continues to benefit from this stable environment, allowing for consistent growth and attendance from global leaders in entertainment and technology.

The Variety Entertainment Summit at CES 2026 underscored the enduring connection between technology and media. With a history spanning decades, the summit remains a vital venue for industry leaders to address the most pressing topics of the day, such as artificial intelligence. As the event continues to evolve in Las Vegas, it will likely remain a barometer for the future of entertainment technology.