Every January, CES gives us a glimpse of what is coming next. Most years, it is easy to get distracted by shiny gadgets or bold promises that feel a long way from day-to-day business reality.
As I followed the announcements coming out of Las Vegas, what stood out was not one big breakthrough, but a clear shift in how AI is being applied.
This year was not about future concepts. It was about practical tools that are already changing how businesses plan, operate, and support their people.
What I saw at CES 2026 lined up closely with what we are already seeing across our work at CG TECH.
Businesses are no longer asking if AI matters. They are asking how to use it safely, how to get value from it, and how to bring their teams along on the journey.
Three announcements in particular captured that shift and highlight real opportunities for Australian businesses right now.
Digital Twin Composer Makes Better Planning Possible
At its core, a digital twin is a virtual version of a real-world asset such as a factory, warehouse, or production line. What makes this release important is how closely that virtual model connects to real operational data.
Digital Twin Composer brings together engineering designs, 3D models, and live production data into one environment. This allows teams to test changes before they make them in the real world. Layout adjustments, equipment failures, and process changes can all be explored virtually.
Instead of reacting to issues after they happen, businesses can identify risks early and make better decisions with confidence.
A global food and beverage manufacturer reported identifying most production issues before physical rollout, improving output and reducing build costs. Outcomes like this explain why digital twins are moving from specialist engineering tools into everyday operational planning.
For Australian manufacturers, engineering firms, and asset-heavy industries, this reflects a broader shift we are already seeing.
When operational systems, data platforms, and analytics are connected properly, planning becomes faster, safer, and far less reactive.
Copilot Moves Beyond the Screen and Into Everyday Operations
One of the clearest signals from CES 2026 was how quickly Copilot is expanding beyond traditional office productivity.
Rather than positioning Copilot as a single assistant, Microsoft showed how it is becoming a consistent layer of intelligence that follows people as they work, across devices, systems, and physical environments.
This allows workers to interact with Copilot using voice and camera input, not just a keyboard. A technician can ask Copilot about what they are seeing, receive guidance in real time, and move between devices without breaking their workflow.
For Australian businesses with mobile, frontline, or hybrid teams, this is a meaningful shift. AI support is no longer tied to a desk. It is available wherever work happens.
This integration embeds Copilot directly into enterprise printers, enabling documents to be scanned, summarised, categorised, and filed using AI. Information is captured and organised at the point it enters the business, rather than being processed later.
While this may seem like a small change, it highlights an important trend. Copilot is being applied to everyday operational tasks that often consume time and create friction across finance, operations, and administration teams.
In these environments, Copilot supports vehicle design, systems engineering, and software development by helping teams manage requirements, analyse changes, and collaborate across highly complex systems.
What stood out to me is that this goes far beyond generic productivity. Copilot is being tailored to deep, specialist workflows where context, data, and precision matter.
This is where AI starts to support real engineering and operational decisions, not just content creation.
What This Means in Practice
Across all of these announcements, one theme was consistent. Copilot is no longer something people turn on. It is becoming part of the environment they work in.
From printers to engineering tools to mobile devices, Copilot is meeting people where they are. For Australian businesses, this reinforces a critical point.
Real value comes when Copilot is introduced with clear use cases, strong data foundations, and the right security controls.
Across our Copilot work, we see the same outcome. Businesses that plan adoption around real roles and workflows get far more value than those that treat AI as a bolt-on tool.
New AI Infrastructure Raises Expectations
Behind all of these advances is a major shift in computing power.
Tools like digital twins and Copilot rely on vast computing capability to analyse data, run simulations, and respond quickly.
As this infrastructure becomes more powerful, AI tools become faster, more capable, and more accessible.
Why This Matters for Australian Businesses
For Australian businesses, this removes a traditional barrier. Advanced AI no longer requires large upfront investment in hardware. Instead, it is accessed through cloud platforms on a consumption basis.
The real decision for leaders is not about infrastructure ownership. It is about cloud strategy, data architecture, and cost management.
Businesses that plan these foundations carefully are better placed to take advantage of new AI capabilities as they emerge.
How This Comes Together in the Real World
What stood out to me most at CES 2026 was how these technologies connect.
A business can use a digital twin to model operational changes. A manager can ask Copilot to assess the impact using live data. The heavy computing happens in the background through cloud platforms designed for AI workloads.
What once took days or weeks of analysis can now happen in minutes.
This is not a future concept. It is already happening in global organisations and is becoming increasingly accessible to Australian businesses that prepare properly.
What This Means for Australian Businesses
Australia has strong capability across manufacturing, resources, infrastructure, and engineering. These industries are well positioned to benefit from tools that improve planning, reduce downtime, and support better decisions.
The opportunity is not just about adopting new technology. It is about doing it in a structured and secure way that supports real business outcomes.
From our experience, businesses that invest in data readiness, governance, and workforce enablement see more sustainable results.
The focus stays on outcomes such as safer operations, better visibility, and giving people more time to focus on high-value work.
Taking the Next Step
CES 2026 reinforced something we are already seeing across our work. AI is becoming part of normal business operations.
The question for Australian businesses is not whether to engage with these tools, but how to do so responsibly and effectively.
Starting with a clear plan makes a real difference. Understanding your data, your security posture, and how AI will support people in their roles sets the foundation for long-term success.
The technology is ready. The tools are available. The next step is making them work in a way that suits your business.
Are you ready to take the next step with AI?
Let’s talk!
About the Author
Carlos Garcia is the Founder and Managing Director of CG TECH, where he leads enterprise digital transformation projects across Australia.
With deep experience in business process automation, Microsoft 365, and AI-powered workplace solutions, Carlos has helped businesses in government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
He holds Microsoft certifications in Power Platform and Azure and regularly shares practical guidance on Copilot readiness, data strategy, and AI adoption.
Every January, CES gives us a glimpse of what is coming next. Most years, it is easy to get distracted by shiny gadgets or bold promises that feel a long way from day-to-day business reality.
CES 2026 felt different.
As I followed the announcements coming out of Las Vegas, what stood out was not one big breakthrough, but a clear shift in how AI is being applied.
This year was not about future concepts. It was about practical tools that are already changing how businesses plan, operate, and support their people.
What I saw at CES 2026 lined up closely with what we are already seeing across our work at CG TECH.
Businesses are no longer asking if AI matters. They are asking how to use it safely, how to get value from it, and how to bring their teams along on the journey.
Three announcements in particular captured that shift and highlight real opportunities for Australian businesses right now.
Digital Twin Composer Makes Better Planning Possible
One of the announcements that caught my attention came from Siemens with the launch of Digital Twin Composer.
At its core, a digital twin is a virtual version of a real-world asset such as a factory, warehouse, or production line. What makes this release important is how closely that virtual model connects to real operational data.
Digital Twin Composer brings together engineering designs, 3D models, and live production data into one environment. This allows teams to test changes before they make them in the real world. Layout adjustments, equipment failures, and process changes can all be explored virtually.
Instead of reacting to issues after they happen, businesses can identify risks early and make better decisions with confidence.
Powered by Industrial-Grade Simulation
Siemens has partnered with NVIDIA to power these simulations using Omniverse technology. The result is a highly realistic environment that does more than visualise operations. It allows teams to run real scenarios using real data.
A global food and beverage manufacturer reported identifying most production issues before physical rollout, improving output and reducing build costs. Outcomes like this explain why digital twins are moving from specialist engineering tools into everyday operational planning.
For Australian manufacturers, engineering firms, and asset-heavy industries, this reflects a broader shift we are already seeing.
When operational systems, data platforms, and analytics are connected properly, planning becomes faster, safer, and far less reactive.
Copilot Moves Beyond the Screen and Into Everyday Operations
One of the clearest signals from CES 2026 was how quickly Copilot is expanding beyond traditional office productivity.
Rather than positioning Copilot as a single assistant, Microsoft showed how it is becoming a consistent layer of intelligence that follows people as they work, across devices, systems, and physical environments.
Copilot Across Devices With Lenovo and Motorola
Microsoft showcased new Copilot integrations with Lenovo, highlighting how Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision work across Lenovo’s Qira AI platform and new Motorola devices.
This allows workers to interact with Copilot using voice and camera input, not just a keyboard. A technician can ask Copilot about what they are seeing, receive guidance in real time, and move between devices without breaking their workflow.
For Australian businesses with mobile, frontline, or hybrid teams, this is a meaningful shift. AI support is no longer tied to a desk. It is available wherever work happens.
Copilot Reaches the Printer With HP
Another practical announcement came from HP, which introduced HP for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
This integration embeds Copilot directly into enterprise printers, enabling documents to be scanned, summarised, categorised, and filed using AI. Information is captured and organised at the point it enters the business, rather than being processed later.
While this may seem like a small change, it highlights an important trend. Copilot is being applied to everyday operational tasks that often consume time and create friction across finance, operations, and administration teams.
Copilot Supports Complex Engineering Workflows
Microsoft also highlighted how Copilot is being embedded into automotive engineering workflows through partnerships with Bosch and PTC, alongside Siemens.
In these environments, Copilot supports vehicle design, systems engineering, and software development by helping teams manage requirements, analyse changes, and collaborate across highly complex systems.
What stood out to me is that this goes far beyond generic productivity. Copilot is being tailored to deep, specialist workflows where context, data, and precision matter.
This is where AI starts to support real engineering and operational decisions, not just content creation.
What This Means in Practice
Across all of these announcements, one theme was consistent. Copilot is no longer something people turn on. It is becoming part of the environment they work in.
From printers to engineering tools to mobile devices, Copilot is meeting people where they are. For Australian businesses, this reinforces a critical point.
Real value comes when Copilot is introduced with clear use cases, strong data foundations, and the right security controls.
Across our Copilot work, we see the same outcome. Businesses that plan adoption around real roles and workflows get far more value than those that treat AI as a bolt-on tool.
New AI Infrastructure Raises Expectations
Behind all of these advances is a major shift in computing power.
NVIDIA announced a new AI-focused supercomputing platform designed to support increasingly complex AI workloads. While most organisations will never own this infrastructure, they will benefit from it through cloud platforms.
Tools like digital twins and Copilot rely on vast computing capability to analyse data, run simulations, and respond quickly.
As this infrastructure becomes more powerful, AI tools become faster, more capable, and more accessible.
Why This Matters for Australian Businesses
For Australian businesses, this removes a traditional barrier. Advanced AI no longer requires large upfront investment in hardware. Instead, it is accessed through cloud platforms on a consumption basis.
The real decision for leaders is not about infrastructure ownership. It is about cloud strategy, data architecture, and cost management.
Businesses that plan these foundations carefully are better placed to take advantage of new AI capabilities as they emerge.
How This Comes Together in the Real World
What stood out to me most at CES 2026 was how these technologies connect.
A business can use a digital twin to model operational changes. A manager can ask Copilot to assess the impact using live data. The heavy computing happens in the background through cloud platforms designed for AI workloads.
What once took days or weeks of analysis can now happen in minutes.
This is not a future concept. It is already happening in global organisations and is becoming increasingly accessible to Australian businesses that prepare properly.
What This Means for Australian Businesses
Australia has strong capability across manufacturing, resources, infrastructure, and engineering. These industries are well positioned to benefit from tools that improve planning, reduce downtime, and support better decisions.
The opportunity is not just about adopting new technology. It is about doing it in a structured and secure way that supports real business outcomes.
From our experience, businesses that invest in data readiness, governance, and workforce enablement see more sustainable results.
The focus stays on outcomes such as safer operations, better visibility, and giving people more time to focus on high-value work.
Taking the Next Step
CES 2026 reinforced something we are already seeing across our work. AI is becoming part of normal business operations.
The question for Australian businesses is not whether to engage with these tools, but how to do so responsibly and effectively.
Starting with a clear plan makes a real difference. Understanding your data, your security posture, and how AI will support people in their roles sets the foundation for long-term success.
The technology is ready. The tools are available. The next step is making them work in a way that suits your business.
Are you ready to take the next step with AI?
Let’s talk!
About the Author
Carlos Garcia is the Founder and Managing Director of CG TECH, where he leads enterprise digital transformation projects across Australia.
With deep experience in business process automation, Microsoft 365, and AI-powered workplace solutions, Carlos has helped businesses in government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
He holds Microsoft certifications in Power Platform and Azure and regularly shares practical guidance on Copilot readiness, data strategy, and AI adoption.
Sources
Recent Posts
Popular Categories
Archives