Over the years, AI has evolved beyond just screens and speakers, and is now embedded in nearly everything people do.

But human and emotional connection within AI cut across the various tracks at the biggest technology mixer of the year. Vendors in AI robotics showcased systems that adapt to who you are and what you need across home and work environments. So, learning about people and making AI more personalized in retail and tech was front and center at CES.

It was easy to spot AI’s expansion into every corner of life—from wearables and smart homes to customer engagement—on the CES show floor.

In fact, Retail Brew spotted humanoid robots performing various retail and food related tasks. One robot developed by AI robotics company Sharpa played blackjack, xBot showcased an AI-powered coffee-making robot, and Paxini featured an advanced AI humanoid robot making ice cream.

Another standout human touch at CES 2026? Creators. In a sea of AI, they’re the trusted shopping sidekicks people still turn to when deciding what to buy. Yet another theme was reinventing physical retail to make it worth the visit. The brick and mortar business, which has been declared dead several times since the pandemic, is still relevant, but the next generation of physical stores has to feel like something out of a movie to lure shoppers in.

“Constantly, technology is changing, and it’s always in service of humans and consumers and needs, and so while what’s on the floor or who’s on the stage might look slightly different, I think what underlies it is this amazing human drive to create technology that changes the world,” Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy, shared during her appearance onstage on Tuesday.

Keep reading here.—VC

Move over, Gen Z: Gen Alpha is already reshaping household spending in the US and UK.

According to Teneo’s Gen Alpha Consumer Influence Study, which surveyed 1,000 children born between 2010 and 2014, nearly half (48%) of parental spending across the US and UK is now influenced by Gen Alpha. That’s more than $255 billion in spending across food, fashion, and leisure in the US alone.

Which raises the real question: What’s actually influencing Gen Alpha? Despite being the first fully digitally native generation, it’s not influencers calling the shots. Instead, Gen Alpha values what Teneo calls “real-world credibility,” prioritizing the opinions of friends and family. Just 29% say they trust what they see in online ads.

When it comes to buying decisions, style (51%) and visual appeal (47%) topped the list—far outweighing concerns like sustainability, which just 16% cited as a factor.

Keep reading here.—JS

Nothing’s being watered down here.

Liquid Death, which began as a canned-water company in 2017, has amassed more than 14 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, which Dan Murphy, the brand’s SVP of marketing, attributes to a commitment to making people laugh. In recent years, the brand has put out memorable campaigns like “Kegs for Pregs” and casket coolers in an effort that goes beyond standing out from other brands.

“We’re competing with the feed,” Murphy told us. “We’re trying to be the funniest thing in your feed that day.”

For Liquid Death, it’s comedy at all costs—often quite literally—with stunts that toe the line of realism and often make fun of the exact industry they’re participating in: advertising.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—KH

SMS isn’t just for delivery updates and discount codes anymore. Vibes reveals seven standout insights from its 2026 Mobile Consumer Survey, showing how mobile messages are driving real purchases and what brands can do to keep conversations converting. Register today.

Tired of one-size-fits-all job boards? CollabWORK highlights roles that reflect your interests and goals—delivered through communities like Retail Brew. Click here to explore the full job board.