Technology Redefines Computing in 2026 with Artificial Intelligence

The CES 2026 demonstrated that computing is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This movement involves a complete restructuring of the sector, encompassing everything from chips to operating systems, and affecting the interaction between devices and the cloud. The focus is on artificial intelligence (AI), which is no longer just a mere complement, but the foundation of new systems.

According to a projection by IDC, it is expected that "AI PCs" will reach 167 million units by 2027, accounting for 57% of all computer sales worldwide. This indicates a significant paradigm shift in modern computing.

The advancement in Neural Processing Units (NPUs) is a clear example of this evolution. In 2024, capabilities between 10 and 20 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second) were considered adequate for local operations. However, by 2026, this standard is expected to be raised, with some NPUs surpassing 50 TOPS and platforms combining CPU, GPU, and NPU reaching up to 180 TOPS.

These capabilities enable smaller language models, known as SLMs (Small Language Models), to run directly on devices. This reduces latency, increases privacy, and transforms AI into a continuous part of the user experience, rather than a resource triggered on demand.

Chip Development and Its Implications

The increase in the utilization of 2 nm lithography for semiconductor manufacturing brings significant improvements in transistor density per mm² and the energy efficiency of processors. This allows for the integration of CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs into a single chip, keeping energy consumption requirements at appropriate levels for ultra-thin devices.

This evolution is not merely aesthetic; it enables stronger local AI execution, more efficient integrated graphics, and highly dedicated media pipelines. By 2026, semiconductor manufacturing will become a fundamental factor, not just a secondary aspect.

Hybrid Computing Becomes the Standard

With devices reaching up to 180 TOPS and servers processing immense models, computing is becoming increasingly hybrid. This transition, as projected by Gartner, is expected to lead to 75% of data generated by enterprises being created and processed outside traditional data centers or the cloud, bringing processing closer to the data generation point.

This model allows operations that require low latency or high privacy to be conducted on devices, while heavier tasks continue to be managed in the cloud. Thus, hybrid computing modeling establishes itself across a variety of devices and applications, from PCs to industrial platforms.

Implications for the Future of System Architecture

The innovations emerging now are structural and not merely incremental. The evolution of NPUs and the increase in processing capacity of integrated GPUs position AI as an intrinsic part of daily use. The strengthening of heterogeneous architectures represents a paradigm shift in system design, where what requires latency or privacy is processed locally, while large-scale operations remain in the cloud.

CES 2026 highlighted an ongoing movement in computing technologies. The year 2026 is not the moment AI simply arrives; it is the moment it becomes the fundamental infrastructure that underpins new approaches in system architecture, from chips to operating systems, redefining what is considered a standard in performance, privacy, and user experience.