The McKinsey Podcast

Special Episode: McKinsey at CES 2026

Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Lucia Rahilly & Roberta Fassaro
Featured Guests: Bob Sternfels, Bill Wiseman, Steven Fuchs, Martin Kellner

Episode Overview

In this special edition from the floor of CES 2026, McKinsey’s top leaders and partners discuss the future of innovation in consumer electronics, with a focus on AI, robotics, advanced computing, and mobility. The episode explores how companies can extract value from the latest technologies and what business leaders should prioritize amid rapid technical advancement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Uniquely Human Capabilities in an AI World

(00:11–01:48)

• Bob Sternfels (Global Managing Partner) highlights three core skills humans bring to the table, despite the rise of AI:
  • Aspiring and inspiring others: “Aspire, set the right aspiration. That's a uniquely human capability.” (00:47)
  • Setting parameters and exercising judgment: “How do you set the right parameters, the architecture based on firm values, based on societal norms?” (01:02)
  • True creativity: “Models are inference models, the next most likely step. How do you think about orthogonal stuff?” (01:15)
• Talent Implications: The traditional focus on credentials is shifting; companies should consider intrinsic skills and practical expertise (e.g., “GitHub profile”) over formal education.

2. Real-World Applications of AI on Display at CES

(01:56–02:37)

• Bill Wiseman (Senior Partner) describes cutting-edge AI demonstrations:
  • Quantum and advanced computing: Collaborations aiming for breakthroughs in molecular interactions and drug discovery.
  • AI-controlled surgery: “An LLM that was controlling a surgical robot...that was actually a kind of live spine surgery going on on a dummy. It was pretty amazing.” (02:16)

3. Cost Pressures in Advanced Computing

(02:42–03:07)

• Wiseman continues, emphasizing a shift in tech focus to “cost per token” rather than just hardware or data center expenses.
  • “There was a lot of instruction about...how can you configure a data center differently to affect service levels and therefore bring down cost per token.” (02:51)
  • Takeaway: The cost of advanced compute must decline for widespread adoption.

4. The Challenge of Scaling AI Systems

(03:07–03:47)

• Steven Fuchs (Senior Partner) voices concern about the gap between AI pilot projects and true system-wide integration:
  • “We are working in a brownfield environment...How do we help the collective transition?...really scaling it is a system change.” (03:21)
  • The industry focus is still mostly on isolated use cases, not on building company-wide ecosystems for long-term value.

5. Autonomous Mobility’s Leap Forward

(03:59–04:40)

• Martin Kellner (Senior Partner) is struck by autonomous vehicles’ maturity:
  • “So many robo taxis on the road. They are much more assertive, much more human-like, even in adverse weather conditions.” (03:59)
• Success factors for industry leaders:
  1. Get customer traction
  2. Achieve operational efficiency and cost management
  3. Build partnerships for non-core activities (04:28)

6. The State and Future of Humanoid Robotics

(04:40–05:52)

• Wiseman shares his impressions:
  • “Everybody had a robot. Those robots were moving very slow...almost all the videos...are sped up probably by a factor of 10.” (04:48)
  • Major advances in actuators and tactile sensors, essential for safety and more practical humanoid robots.
  • “Nobody solved the problem of safety when it comes to robotics. That's going to be on display next year as well.” (05:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bob Sternfels on talent:
  “Where you went to school matters a lot less...Let’s actually get to the content. And could that actually start meaning that a wider set of people can enter the workforce with different pathways?” (01:31)

• Bill Wiseman on surgical AI:
  “That was actually a kind of live spine surgery going on on a dummy, not a live person. But it was pretty amazing to see.” (02:27)

• Steven Fuchs on the need for systems change:
  “It’s great to have the use cases, it’s great to have the pilots...But really scaling it is a system change.” (03:34)

• Martin Kellner on robo taxis:
  “They are much more assertive, they are much more human, like driving around even in adverse weather conditions...I now expect the industry to moving to commercial deployment and large scale operations.” (04:02)

• Wiseman on the real state of robotics:
  “Those robots were moving very slow. They were doing interesting things, but they were boring to watch...The other thing that was impressive was...actuators...fingers or elbows or shoulders or legs are going to be able to generate a lot of force and torque...” (04:52–05:16)
  “A lot of talk about safety. Nobody solved the problem of safety when it comes to robotics.” (05:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:47 – Bob Sternfels on uniquely human skills in the AI era
• 01:56 – Bill Wiseman: Real-world AI applications at CES
• 02:42 – Wiseman: Advanced compute cost pressures
• 03:21 – Steven Fuchs: The challenge of scaling AI beyond pilots
• 03:59 – Martin Kellner: The rise of assertive robo taxis
• 04:28 – Kellner’s three priorities for autonomous vehicle companies
• 04:48 – Wiseman: Humanoid robots—state of the art and next year’s expectations
• 05:41 – On safety challenges in robotics

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich snapshot of how the world’s largest electronics show is reflecting and shaping trends in AI, advanced computing, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. While technical progress is palpable, McKinsey’s experts repeatedly underscore the importance of human judgment, the need to build scalable systems, and a focus on practical cost controls. As technology’s promise expands, foundational business and human values—and the wisdom to integrate innovation—matter more than ever.