On April 1, 2026, long‐time Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed will assume the role of Executive Chairman, succeeding D. James Umpleby III, who retires after a distinguished 43-year career including more than four years as chairman. Creed, who joined Caterpillar in 1997 and led the company to record 2024 sales and revenues of $64.8 billion, will oversee corporate governance and long-term strategy. Umpleby’s retirement paves the way for Creed to deepen partnerships with key stakeholders and accelerate investments in digital and sustainability initiatives, ensuring a seamless leadership handover during a period of robust demand for heavy equipment and growing interest in industrial automation.

At CES 2026, Caterpillar unveiled Cat AI Assistant, a conversational AI built on its Helios data platform—which currently manages over 16 petabytes of machine and operational data—to provide real-time insights across the entire equipment portfolio. Scheduled for off-board deployment in Q1 2026 and in-cab validation later this year, the assistant uses NVIDIA Jetson Thor for edge AI, enabling fleet managers to predict maintenance, technicians to access step-by-step repair guidance from a library of thousands of manuals, and operators to receive in-cab coaching without switching screens. By integrating data, AI and heavy machinery, the solution aims to boost productivity up to 20 percent on complex worksites and reduce unplanned downtime by up to 15 percent.

During his keynote on January 7 at 9:00 a.m. PST in the Palazzo Ballroom, CEO Joe Creed presented Caterpillar’s vision for industrial AI and autonomy, joined by NVIDIA’s VP of Robotics and Edge AI Deepu Talla, CDO Ogi Redzic and CTO Jaime Mineart. The exhibit featured a Cat 306 mini excavator equipped with on-board AI for real-time guidance and smart fleet management, an AI Insights Lab demonstrating how operational data converts to actionable recommendations, and an Innovation Theater depicting fully connected jobsites where AI anticipates needs and directs autonomous machines. The showcase underscored Caterpillar’s commitment to invest in autonomy solutions across its three primary segments—Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Power & Energy—and to leverage its global dealer network to drive adoption of next-generation digital offerings.