Lenovo Unveils Qira AI Assistant at CES 2026, Highlighting Industry-Wide AI Focus

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, Lenovo introduced Qira, a new system-level, cross-device AI assistant designed for integration across its laptops and Motorola phones. This announcement took place during a keynote event at The Sphere, aligning with a broader industry focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare technology, and mobility at the annual trade show. Lenovo executives, including CEO Yang Yuanqing and CTO Tolga Kurtoglu, discussed the company's AI strategy, addressing consumer sentiment and emphasizing responsible AI development.

Lenovo's Qira AI Assistant

Lenovo positioned Qira as a built-in, cross-device intelligence designed to learn from user interactions and perform actions on their behalf. The development of Qira followed an internal reorganization at Lenovo less than a year prior, which consolidated AI teams from various hardware divisions into a centralized software-focused group. According to Jeff Snow, Lenovo's head of AI product, this restructuring aimed to prioritize AI integration across the company's product portfolio.

Qira's architecture is modular, incorporating both local, on-device AI models and cloud-based models. The system utilizes Microsoft and OpenAI infrastructure accessed via Azure, integrates Stability AI's diffusion model, and includes connections to specific applications such as Notion and Perplexity.

Lenovo stated that this modular approach avoids reliance on a single AI model, acknowledging the rapid evolution of the AI sector and the varied requirements for performance, quality, and cost across different tasks.

Lessons from previous AI initiatives, including Motorola's Moto AI, influenced Qira's development. Moto AI experienced high initial user engagement but low retention due to its perception as a prompt-based chat feature. Qira's focus shifted towards providing continuity, context, and direct device interaction capabilities.

Furthermore, Lenovo incorporated considerations from public responses to Microsoft's Recall feature, designing Qira with opt-in memory features, persistent user indicators, and transparent user controls. Contextual data ingestion is optional, recording processes are visible to the user, and silent data collection is not employed.

While Qira does not impose higher baseline system requirements for personal computers, optimal performance is reported on machines equipped with greater RAM. Lenovo is working to reduce the memory footprint for local models, aiming for compatibility with systems featuring 16 gigabytes of RAM without compromising functionality. Strategically, Lenovo views Qira as a mechanism for customer retention within its ecosystem and a means of differentiating its devices in a market where hardware specifications alone may be insufficient for distinction.

Broader AI Integration at CES 2026

Artificial intelligence was a central theme at CES 2026, consistent with its prominence at the show in recent years. Industry leaders, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang and AMD's Lisa Su, were scheduled to deliver keynotes focusing on future AI solutions. Beyond Lenovo's Qira, the event showcased a diverse range of AI-enabled technologies, from concept AI wearables like Project Maxwell, designed to process sensory input, to AI integration in smartphones, laptops, TVs, and washing machines.

Anshel Sag, a principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, noted that the extensive incorporation of AI capabilities across products has created a challenge in differentiation.

"Everything is AI now, so nothing is AI."

Sag suggested that success in this environment may increasingly depend on the maturity and effective deployment of software. Smart glasses, offering functionalities such as voice-activated chatbot search, advanced display technologies, and real-time language translation, were among the new products anticipated, entering a market that includes established offerings like Meta's smart glasses.

The annual event, which anticipates attendance figures similar to 2025 (over 141,000 attendees from more more than 150 countries), hosted over 3,500 exhibitors.

Other Technologies and Discussions

In addition to AI, CES 2026 featured advancements across several technology sectors:

• Robotics: Exhibitors included LG's "CLOiD" domestic helper robot and new initiatives from Hyundai in robotics and manufacturing.
• Extended Reality (XR): This technology was discussed in its role as a virtual training environment for physical AI and robots.
• Healthcare Technology: Innovations addressed individual health habit modification, such as Beyond Medicine's prescription app for a jaw disorder, and solutions for data shortages in areas like breast milk production. Wearable devices for various body parts, focusing on longevity and health monitoring, were also showcased.
• Mobility: Innovations included self-driving vehicles, boats, and drones.
• Content Creation: Tools leveraging AI, including discussions around hybrid approaches where human creators collaborate with AI, were significant areas of focus.

Discussions at CES also addressed the increasing energy demands of AI processing, with a Korean company presenting a small-scale nuclear-powered energy creation device. The show also featured a dedicated area, sponsored by Verizon, highlighting technology designed to assist individuals with disabilities and older adults.

Executive Perspectives and Market Outlook

Lenovo's CEO, Yang Yuanqing, and Chief Technology Officer, Tolga Kurtoglu, addressed questions regarding AI adoption and consumer sentiment. Yang Yuanqing stated that AI is an unavoidable trend, adding:

"AI will not replace you; it will only empower you, empower each of us, so that is why we think utilization will help you so that you can do more, be more creative."

Kurtoglu echoed this sentiment, remarking, "I don’t see a world without AI."

Kurtoglu emphasized Lenovo's commitment to responsible AI development, stating:

"One of the fundamental principles with which we develop AI is our belief in responsible AI. Of course, there are guardrails and very strict processes that we follow as a company as we build our own AI. And then globally and locally, there are regulations and compliance requirements about privacy and security and other things that we follow very strictly."

He also highlighted the opt-in nature of Qira and other AI tools, requiring user permission to participate.

Lenovo projects that AI PCs will constitute 70% of the global market by 2028, with similar trends anticipated for laptops and smartphones. Addressing concerns about a potential "AI bubble," Yang Yuanqing affirmed:

"We believe AI is not a bubble. The demand will be booming, so everybody will have their personal AI, and every enterprise will need to leverage their data to generate intelligence. So, the demand is just beginning. It’s not a bubble at all."

However, CNET reported survey data indicating that only 11% of smartphone users upgrade their devices specifically for new AI functionalities.