Samsung has officially announced its itinerary for CES 2026, revealing plans to host a series of moderated Tech Forum panel discussions and its annual “The First Look” event. The company intends to use these platforms to outline its Artificial Intelligence (AI) vision, centered around the theme “Your Companion to AI Living.”
The First Look 2026 and Event Theme
The schedule begins with “The First Look 2026,” set to kick off on January 4 at 7:00 p.m. PST (7:30 AM January 5), two days prior to the general opening of CES. The media event will take place at the Wynn Las Vegas and will feature presentations from key executives, including TM Roh (CEO and Head of Device eXperience Division), SW Yong (President and Head of Visual Display Business), and Cheolgi Kim (EVP and Head of Digital Appliance Business). These leaders are expected to outline strategies for customer experience innovation in their respective fields.
Samsung has released a teaser video establishing the event’s theme. The video utilizes visual effects involving vibrant lights and lines to create silhouettes of upcoming innovations, symbolizing the integration of AI across Samsung’s product portfolio.
Tech Forum Panel Discussions
Following the kickoff event, Samsung will host four moderated Tech Forum panels at the Latour Ballroom in the Wynn Las Vegas on January 5 and 6. These sessions will bring together Samsung executives, industry partners, academics, and analysts to discuss trends in AI, home appliances, services, and design.
The schedule for the Tech Forums is as follows:
1. When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI
- Date: January 5, 9:00 AM
- Speaker: Yoonho Choi, Digital Appliances Business, Samsung Electronics (Chair, Home Connectivity Alliance)
- Topic: This session will focus on the necessity of cross-industry partnerships and the collaboration required to integrate smart home technology meaningfully into daily life.
2. In Tech We Trust? Rethinking Security & Privacy in the AI Age
- Date: January 5, 2:00 PM
- Speaker: Shin Baik, Group Head, AI Platform Center, Samsung Electronics
- Topic: Experts in security and AI will discuss the mechanics of trust, emphasizing how transparency and secure systems impact the adoption of AI technologies.
3. FAST Forward: How Streaming’s Next Wave is Redefining Television
- Date: January 5, 4:00 PM
- Speaker: Salek Brodsky, Executive Vice President, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics
- Topic: Leaders in entertainment and TV will explore the future of streaming, covering Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST), hybrid models, and creator-led channels.
4. The Human Side of Tech: Designing a Future Worth Loving
- Date: January 6, 1:00 PM
- Speaker: Mauro Porcini, President and Chief Design Officer, DX Division, Samsung Electronics
- Topic: Design leaders will discuss moving beyond minimalist, specification-driven approaches toward human-centered design influenced by new materials and AI.
Exhibition Details
In addition to the panels, Samsung will open its dedicated exhibition space at the Wynn Las Vegas from January 5 through January 7. The Samsung Exhibition Zone will showcase the company’s latest product innovations, serving as a practical complement to the theoretical discussions held during the forums.