AMD Unveils AI-Powered Ryzen Processors at CES 2026

AMD used the opening moments of its CES 2026 keynote to lay out a clear vision for the future of computing: AI should be accessible to everyone.

Speaking at the annual technology showcase, AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su framed artificial intelligence not as a niche feature but as a foundational layer of modern PCs. Backing that vision, the semiconductor giant announced a new generation of AI-powered processors designed for both everyday users and gamers.

At the center of the announcement was the AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series, the company’s latest lineup of processors built specifically for AI-enhanced personal computing.

Ryzen AI 400 Series: What’s new

According to AMD, the Ryzen AI 400 Series represents a significant step forward in performance and efficiency compared to rival chips in the same category.

The company claims the new processors deliver:

• 1.3x faster multitasking performance
• 1.7x faster content creation workloads

The chips feature 12 CPU cores and 24 threads, allowing them to handle multiple instruction streams simultaneously, an increasingly important capability as AI-driven tasks become more common across operating systems and applications.

The Ryzen AI 400 Series builds on the Ryzen AI 300 Series, which AMD first announced in 2024. AMD originally launched the Ryzen processor family in 2017, steadily expanding it into desktops, laptops, and now AI-first PCs.

AMD’s expanding AI PC ecosystem

During a press briefing following the keynote, Rahul Tikoo, AMD’s senior vice president and general manager of client business, highlighted the rapid expansion of AMD’s AI PC ecosystem.

Tikoo said AMD now supports more than 250 AI PC platforms, representing double the number from last year. The growth reflects increasing interest from PC manufacturers in integrating AI acceleration directly into consumer devices, rather than relying solely on cloud-based processing.

In the years ahead, AI is going to be a multi-layered fabric that gets woven into every level of computing at the personal layer. Our AI PCs and devices will transform how we work, how we play, how we create and how we connect with each other.

–Rahul Tikoo

Gaming focus: Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Redstone ray tracing

Alongside its AI PC processors, AMD also introduced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the latest iteration of its gaming-focused processor lineup.

While AMD did not disclose full performance benchmarks during the keynote, the company positioned the chip as a high-performance option for gamers seeking improved frame rates and responsiveness, particularly in demanding titles.

AMD also announced the latest version of its Redstone ray tracing technology, which simulates the physical behaviour of light to produce more realistic graphics. The company said the updated technology delivers visual improvements without sacrificing performance or speed, addressing a long-standing trade-off in high-end gaming.

AI PCs move beyond hype

AMD executives emphasized that AI-powered PCs are no longer experimental products but are entering a phase of practical, everyday use.

No matter who you are and how you use technology on a daily basis, AI is reshaping everyday computing. You have thousands of interactions with your PC every day. AI is able to understand, learn context, bring automation, provide deep reasoning and personal customization to every individual.

–Rahul Tikoo

The company’s strategy reflects a broader industry shift, as chipmakers increasingly push AI workloads onto local devices to improve performance, privacy, and responsiveness.

Availability and what comes next

PCs powered by either the Ryzen AI 300 Series or the newly announced Ryzen 7 9850X3D are expected to become available in the first quarter of 2026, according to AMD.

While pricing details were not announced, the CES reveal signals AMD’s intent to compete aggressively in both the AI PC and gaming processor markets as consumer demand for AI-enhanced devices continues to grow.