Introduction to AgeTech Collaborative at CES 2026
The AgeTech Collaborative from AARP returned to CES 2026 in Las Vegas to demonstrate how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the future of aging across multiple dimensions of life. At CES 2026, AARP imagines a future where aging is about living boldly, supported by technology that empowers independence, creativity, and connection at every stage of life.
The AgeTech Collaborative, made up of nearly 700 companies across industries and product categories, plays a unique role in bringing together cutting-edge thinkers and innovative solutions from around the world to make aging easier for everyone. This unprecedented coalition represents the growing recognition that aging technology deserves dedicated focus and cross-industry collaboration.
Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan’s Vision for Aging
“At AARP, we believe the future of aging will be shaped by how we harness innovation to make life better for everyone,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP. “Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are not just powering convenience, they’re transforming how we connect, care, and thrive across generations.”
Generational Impact
This vision extends beyond simply making life easier for older adults—it encompasses intergenerational benefits where technological advances improve quality of life, healthcare delivery, and social connection for people of all ages while addressing specific challenges associated with aging.
Global AgeTech Economy Reaches $96 Trillion
To realize the full potential of the $96-trillion global AgeTech economy, companies and industries need to work together in new ways that transcend traditional sector boundaries. This massive economic opportunity reflects the intersection of demographic trends, technological capabilities, and consumer demand for aging solutions.
Cross-Industry Collaboration Requirements
The scale of this market demands collaboration between technology companies, healthcare providers, financial services, housing developers, transportation providers, and countless other sectors that touch older adults’ lives. No single industry can address the full spectrum of aging needs independently.
Immersive Booth Experience and Startup Showcase
This year at CES, the AgeTech Collaborative booth featured an immersive experience offering a forward-looking vision of how technology will redefine longevity and help people live longer, healthier, and more connected lives. The booth experience complemented a robust lineup of AgeTech Summit sessions featuring leading voices from technology, healthcare, and venture innovation.
Venetian Expo Showcase
Located at the Venetian Expo, Level 2, Hall A-D at Booth #54123, the AgeTech Collaborative booth served as a central hub for aging technology innovation throughout the CES conference, hosting daily programming featuring entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders showcasing real-world innovations.
Twenty-Two AI-Focused Innovative Startups Featured
Twenty-two innovative startups were featured at the AgeTech Collaborative booth this year, with nearly a third focused specifically on artificial intelligence applications for aging populations. This concentration of AI-focused companies reflects the transformative potential of artificial intelligence for addressing aging challenges.
Diverse Technology Solutions
The featured startups represented diverse approaches to aging technology including health monitoring devices, cognitive support tools, social connection platforms, mobility assistance, caregiving support systems, and numerous other categories addressing specific aging-related needs.
AgeTech Summit Programming and Sessions
The AgeTech Summit from AARP featured a full morning of sessions focused on the intersection of innovation, community, and the future of technology. The summit took place Wednesday, January 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT at the Venetian, Level 4, Marcello 4404.
Tech with Intention Design Philosophy
The summit opened at 9:00 AM PT with “Tech with Intention: Designing the Future of Aging,” featuring Joe Coughlin, Director of the MIT Age Lab. Coughlin’s presentation explored how intentional design principles ensure aging technologies genuinely serve older adults’ needs rather than imposing technological solutions searching for problems.
Human-Centered Design Principles
This session emphasized the importance of involving older adults throughout the design process, understanding their actual lived experiences, and creating technologies that integrate seamlessly into existing lifestyles rather than requiring dramatic behavioral changes.
Startup Ecosystems and Innovation Acceleration
At 10:00 AM PT, “Fueling Innovation: Ecosystems That Empower Startups” brought together Sally Ann Frank, Global Lead of Health & Life Sciences at Microsoft for Startups/Microsoft; Joshua Di Frances, Vice President & Head of Incubation at LG NOVA Zenith Electronics LLC; and Andy Miller, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Product Development at AgeTech Collaborative from AARP, in a conversation moderated by Sidney Collin, Clinical VP of Product Management at Drive Medical.
Corporate-Startup Partnerships
This panel explored how large corporations can effectively support startup innovation through mentorship, resources, market access, and strategic partnerships that accelerate technology development while providing startups with crucial support navigating complex healthcare and aging services markets.
Corporate Innovation Strategies Panel
At 11:00 AM PT, “The Startup Inside: How Big Companies Innovate Like Founders” featured Ken Honeycutt, Director of Samsung Health at Samsung Electronics; John Luna, Executive Advisor at EssilorLuxottica; and Sami Hassanyeh, Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy at AARP, in a conversation moderated by Cris Gardner, VP of Futurecasting at AARP.
Internal Innovation Culture
This session examined how established corporations can maintain entrepreneurial agility despite organizational size, bureaucratic structures, and risk-averse cultures that often stifle innovation within large enterprises.
AI and Longevity Personalization Discussion
On Thursday, January 8 at 3:30 PM, the CES Foundry Stage at Fontainebleau Las Vegas hosted “AI and Aging: Designing for Longevity and Personalization,” featuring Dominic King, VP of Health at Microsoft AI, and Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP, in a conversation moderated by Meg Barron from Peterson Health Technology Institute.
Personalized Aging Solutions
This session explored how artificial intelligence enables unprecedented personalization of aging solutions, adapting to individual health conditions, preferences, cognitive abilities, and life circumstances rather than offering one-size-fits-all approaches.
AARP 2026 Tech Trends Report Findings
The 2026 AARP Tech Trends Report revealed that interest and use of AI-powered tools are growing quickly among adults 50-plus, reflecting increasing comfort with artificial intelligence technologies and recognition of their practical value.
AI Adoption Doubles Among Adults 50-Plus
AI usage has nearly doubled among older adults, increasing from 18% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. More than half of AI users (58%) have interacted with a specific AI platform or application, demonstrating active engagement rather than passive awareness.
Health-Focused AI Interest
The report showed that compared to other new AI-powered tools on the market, older adults express the most interest in AI health monitoring devices and indicate using AI tools to answer health questions or provide health and nutritional guidance.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Trust, privacy and data security remain top concerns, with about half of older adults citing them as reasons for hesitating to adopt new technology in general, and specifically when it comes to trying AI tools.
Balancing Benefits and Risks
This hesitancy reflects reasonable caution about sharing sensitive personal information, particularly health data, with AI systems whose data handling practices, security measures, and long-term trustworthiness remain uncertain for many potential users.
Daily Programming and Industry Leaders
Throughout CES, the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP hosted daily programming on the booth stage, featuring entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders showcasing real-world innovations that make aging easier. A full list of sessions was available at ces.agetechcollaborative.org.
