How Technology is Changing Our Daily Lives

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is known for its big event, CES. However, its work goes far beyond that. The CTA is involved in market research, advocacy, and setting standards that we use every day, like airplane mode on cell phones. Planning for CES starts years in advance. The CTA is already thinking about what will happen in 2027 and how to create new spaces for innovation. In 2026, AI is becoming more personal. It is now about agentic AI and physical AI. This means AI that is with us all the time, helping us make real-time decisions. Wearables like medallions or pins are becoming more common. Robotics is also advancing. Humanoids can now fold laundry or prepare meals. This is a game-changer for working parents.Health technology is another area of interest. The first Fitbit was launched in 2009, sparking the "quantified self" movement. Today, technology has moved beyond step-counting to heart rate variability, sleep tracking, and even over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for the average consumer. Quantum technology is also on the horizon. Though still in its early commercial stages, it is expected to revolutionize drug development, space exploration, and transportation. The CTA's impact is often invisible. It wrote the airplane mode standard that most cell phones have today. Its mission is to facilitate innovation 361 days a year. Robotics is becoming more human-like. Physical AI is now able to do more than a single task. This is a game-changer.