After years of chatbots and image generators, AI is finally leaving the screen. At CES 2026, this change has become impossible to ignore.
The annual technology showcase in Las Vegas was dominated by “physical AI” and robotics, from Boston Dynamic’s recently redesigned Atlas humanoid robot to AI-powered ice makers (yes, really). The companies present clearly want consumers to know: AI is no longer just capable of answering questions. He’s ready to move auto parts around factories, catch drones with net guns, and dance in automaker booths.
Today on TechCrunch Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha and Sean O’Kane break down everything we saw at CES 2026 and other deals of the week that caught our attention.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
- The rumored Discord IPOyears after stopping a Microsoft acquisition
- xAI’s massive $20 billion raise and the dark side of Grok’s content moderation failures
- How Mobileye gets into the humanoid robotics game with the acquisition of Mentee Robotics
- The potential evolution of OpenAI towards Screen-free and audio-focused AI experiences
Subscribe to Equity on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Covered, Spotify and all castings. You can also follow Equity on X And Topicson @EquityPod.
Theresa Loconsolo is an audio producer at TechCrunch and focuses on Equity, the network’s flagship podcast. Before joining TechCrunch in 2022, she was one of two producers at a four-station conglomerate where she wrote, recorded, voiced and edited content, and designed live performances and guest interviews like Lovelytheband. Theresa is based in New Jersey and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Monmouth University.
You can contact or check Theresa’s outreach by sending an email Theresa.loconsolo@techcrunch.com.
Anthony Ha is TechCrunch’s weekend editor. Previously, he worked as a tech reporter at Adweek, an editor at VentureBeat, a local government reporter at Hollister Free Lance, and vice president of content at a venture capital firm. He lives in New York.
You can contact or check Anthony’s outreach by sending an email anthony.ha@techcrunch.com.
Kirsten Korosec is a journalist and editor who has covered the future of transportation, from electric and autonomous vehicles to urban air mobility and in-vehicle technology for more than a decade. She is currently the transportation editor at TechCrunch and co-host of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast. She is also the co-founder and co-host of “The Autonocast” podcast. She has previously written for Fortune, The Verge, Bloomberg, MIT Technology Review and CBS Interactive.
You can contact or check Kirsten’s outreach by sending an email kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message to kkorosec.07 on Signal.
Sean O’Kane is a journalist who has spent a decade covering the rapidly evolving business and technology of the transportation sector, including Tesla and the many startups chasing Elon Musk. Most recently, he was a reporter at Bloomberg News, where he helped break stories on some of the most notorious EV SPAC flops. He previously worked at The Verge, where he also covered consumer technology, hosted numerous short and long-form videos, did product and editorial photography, and nearly passed out on a plane in the Red Bull Air Race.
You can contact or check Sean’s outreach by sending an email sean.okane@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message to okane.01 on Signal.
