CEATEC 2026 Opens With Latest AI Cybersecurity

CEATEC 2026, one of Japan's premier digital technology exhibitions, kicked off on October 13 in Tokyo. The event drew 821 companies and organizations showcasing their latest innovations, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence for cybersecurity and disaster response. AI-powered cybersecurity took center stage, reflecting mounting concerns over unauthorized access and sophisticated cyberattacks.

Visitors could engage in an interactive simulation of a cyberattack, trying out various defensive measures to protect computer systems. Shunsuke Harada of NEC emphasized the importance of using AI to counter emerging threats, stating, "Since attackers are using AI, defenders also need to use AI to identify vulnerabilities." The demonstration underscored AI's growing role in identifying weaknesses in computer networks and developing countermeasures against malicious intrusions.

Meanwhile, disaster response technologies garnered attention, including an AI system capable of separating individual sounds from background noise in chaotic emergency environments. At one booth, participants experienced a simulated disaster scenario with overlapping sounds, and the AI system successfully isolated voices that would otherwise be drowned out.

This technology holds promise for rescue robots, which could use it to detect cries for help trapped in disaster zones despite environmental noise. CEATEC 2026, spanning four days, highlighted how AI and other digital technologies are being applied to real-world challenges, from cybersecurity to emergency response.