The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas is famous for its dazzling gadgets and theatrical reveals. This year, alongside singing lollipops and laundry-folding robots, a powerful theme has emerged: a deep dive into the future of entertainment, driven heavily by artificial intelligence and the rising creator economy.
AI in Entertainment: Tool for Creativity or Cause for Concern?
More than 25 dedicated panels and events at CES are examining the entertainment sector's evolution. The programming tackles critical questions about AI's cinematic potential, its impact on advertising, and how the creator economy is reshaping the industry's landscape.
Artificial intelligence remains a contentious topic in Hollywood. The debut of Tilly Norwood, the first fully AI-generated actor, in the fall sparked significant outrage. Concerns about using copyrighted materials to train AI models without permission or payment loom large in ongoing discussions.
However, many speakers expressed optimism. Dwayne Koh, head of creative at Leonardo.ai, argued during a Monday session that AI tools democratize storytelling. "It levels the playing field," he said, "making it easier for people to tell stories they always wanted to tell."
Hannah Elsakr, Adobe's vice president of generative AI new business ventures, drew parallels to past tech panics. She recalled angry reactions to Photoshop in the 1990s. "Think of AI as another tool in the tool kit," Elsakr advised during a session on advertising, emphasizing that human creativity remains paramount for high-quality output.
The Creator Economy Gains Mainstream Legitimacy
A significant portion of the conversation also centered on internet-native creators and influencers. Their efficient workflows, often powered by AI tools, were highlighted as a key strength. Traditional media companies are being urged to collaborate with this new wave of talent.
Brad Haugen, executive vice president at Lionsgate and 3 Arts, stated that creators represent the industry's future. "They're actually the next Spike Jonze and the next Sofia Coppola," he asserted, moving beyond the view of creators merely as marketing channels.
The Variety Entertainment Summit at CES featured leaders from Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a prominent voice, sharing his concerns about AI training data practices. He recently co-founded the Creators Coalition on AI to address these issues.
"We all kind of need to get on the same page and agree, 'No let's not forgive that passive theft,'" Gordon-Levitt said in a Wednesday conversation. He remains hopeful for a fair resolution where creators are compensated for their work used in AI training.
Interestingly, Gordon-Levitt is co-writing and directing a Netflix thriller about AI, joking that he started the process by prompting a chatbot. Despite his concerns, he expressed optimism: "There's still time to go down something much brighter."
Gadgets Bringing AI Entertainment Home
Beyond the panel discussions, CES 2026 is showcasing a host of consumer products aimed at revolutionizing home entertainment. The floor features advanced televisions, AI-powered smart headphones, a "stringless smart guitar," and even a "sound chair" with built-in audio.
In a major announcement, Amazon rolled out Alexa.com, bringing its AI assistant to the web with new features like personalized movie and TV recommendations. This move is part of a broader push to enhance the at-home viewing experience with AI, including the ability for Alexa to find specific scenes using simple voice descriptions.
The convergence of cutting-edge technology and creative expression is unmistakable at CES 2026. While debates about ethics and copyright continue, the event solidifies that AI and digital creators are no longer on the periphery but are central forces actively sculpting the future of global entertainment.
