At CES 2026, a recurrent theme has emerged around agentic AI, a term that until now seemed more buzzword than reality. Tech giants like Nvidia, Samsung, LG, and emerging players such as AGI Inc. have presented compelling cases that agentic AI is transitioning from conceptual to operational, promising to revolutionize how we interact with technology, including in the legal sector.

Amit Jain, CEO of Luma AI, captured the sentiment at the AMT Keynote, announcing, "2026 will be the year of the agents." This statement reflects a broader consensus at the conference that agentic AI can evolve beyond simple digital assistants into proactive, reasoning entities that assist in decision-making processes.

The potential applications discussed are striking. Imagine an AI that not only knows what’s in your fridge but also suggests recipes based on your taste preferences and dietary restrictions, or one that plans your evening out by integrating personal likes and dislikes. Such capabilities suggest a shift towards more personalized, context-aware agents.

In legal contexts, skepticism remains about the feasibility of letting AI autonomously make decisions. However, my own experiences with advanced AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas, which helped me efficiently book travel arrangements, suggest that agentic AI's integration into daily professional tasks isn't far off. Similarly, the advancements in self-driving technology, once doubted, have now reached a level of reliability where daily use is common and trusted. Jensen Huang of Nvidia emphasized this point, explaining how increases in computing power and data synthesis allow agentic AI to predict outcomes and make informed suggestions autonomously.

However, the introduction of agentic AI is not without risks, particularly in fields requiring high stakes decision-making like law. The human element remains crucial; AI can suggest actions based on data, but human judgment is necessary to evaluate these suggestions within the context of unique cases and ethical considerations. The danger lies not in the technology itself, but in potential overreliance on it, which could lead to diminished critical thinking skills among professionals.

Despite these challenges, ignoring the rise of agentic AI isn't wise. As history shows, technological advancements deemed unlikely often become integral once they materialize. For the legal profession, this means engaging with these technologies now, understanding their capabilities, and preparing for their implications is crucial.

In essence, CES 2026 has laid out both the promise and peril of agentic AI. While it offers the potential to significantly enhance efficiency and decision-making, it also poses significant challenges that require careful management and oversight. The future of agentic AI in law and other fields will depend on finding the right balance between leveraging new technologies and maintaining the irreplaceable nuances of human judgment.