At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Caterpillar outlined how industrial AI, autonomy, and edge computing are converging to reshape heavy equipment and jobsite operations. The company also announced a $25 million commitment aimed at strengthening the workforce that will build and support the next generation of technology-enabled infrastructure.
Building the Invisible Layer of the Tech Stack
Caterpillar framed the physical world as an "invisible layer" of the broader tech stack: the equipment, energy systems, and supply chains that make modern technology possible. From mining critical minerals to building roads, bridges, and data centers, the company says it is focused on making these machines more intelligent and connected to help customers turn data into day-to-day decisions.
Cat AI Assistant
The company introduced Cat AI Assistant, a conversational experience designed to unify Caterpillar digital tools and customer data into a single interface. It is intended to provide context-rich, reliable insights so teams can move faster from the office to the jobsite, with an eye toward future in-cab use as well.
Expanded Collaboration with NVIDIA
Caterpillar also announced an expanded collaboration with NVIDIA focused on accelerating AI-enabled capabilities across products and operations, including on-board AI features, AI agents at scale, and production systems designed to be safer and more resilient.
Autonomy Moves from Mining to Construction
Building on decades of autonomous mining deployments, Caterpillar says it is extending autonomy expertise to everyday construction environments. The company previewed a set of autonomous machines intended to operate safely and reliably in complex jobsite conditions.
Building the Future Starts with People
To help workers adapt as technology changes roles and workflows, Caterpillar says it is pledging $25 million over five years to launch a global innovation prize that will identify, test, and scale solutions that grow skills for a more digital and autonomous future.