CES2026

CES2026: From Innovation to Guardrails, Senators Confront Tech’s Next Phase

Democratic lawmakers cite broadband gaps, data security, and autonomous vehicle safety as concerns that are not being addressed

Akul Saxena

Jan 9, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of (from left), Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Friday.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2026 — Democratic senators at a CES panel argued that federal policy must move faster to address broadband affordability, artificial intelligence safeguards, biotechnology security, and autonomous systems, warning that access gaps and weak data governance threaten both economic competitiveness and public trust.

The discussion, held during the Consumer Electronics Show and moderated by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., took place as technology companies rolled out new AI, semiconductor, and mobility platforms. Rosen, a former computer programmer, framed the session around how lawmakers could promote innovation while identifying where guardrails were needed to prevent harm.

Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., ranking member of the Senate Communications Subcommittee, said closing the digital divide remained foundational to nearly every emerging technology now entering the market. He cited the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, but said infrastructure alone would not solve the problem.

Broadband affordability

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CES2026 Jackie Rosen Nevada Ben Ray Luján New Mexico Gary Peters Michigan Detroit USF FCC Los Alamos National Laboratory Sandia National Laboratories BIOSECURE Act NVIDIA HALT Act Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Communications Subcommittee