A look back at trends from CES 2025: a dive into tomorrow’s technological innovation

#1 South Korea: a rising power in technological innovation 

South Korea stood out this year with no less than 800 participating companies, supported by collaboration between 30 public and private institutions. This huge effort reflects the country’s desire to position itself as a global tech innovation leader. Korean companies also won 162 of the 363 innovation awards handed out at the event, representing nearly 45% of the accolades. These came in recognition of progress made in areas such as consumer electronics, mobility solutions and artificial intelligence. South Korea’s strong presence is a sign of its proactive research and development strategy, along with its ability to turn ideas into marketable products.

#2 AI is killing technological innovation!

Artificial intelligence was a ubiquitous presence across applications in nearly all fields. You would have been hard pressed this year to find a company or startup that has not gone all in on AI. Whether it’s in barbecue cooking, laundry management or domestic energy optimization, AI is moving into all parts of our daily lives. This proliferation raises questions about the balance between true innovation and technological one-upmanship. While some applications really do bring added value, others seem more like gadgets made to ride the wave of AI’s popularity, without creating any significant benefits. This situation highlights the need for an approach that is more critical and selective when it comes to developing and adopting AI-based solutions.

#3 Conversational agents here, there and everywhere

Conversational agents were present in almost all of the presentations. Depending on the brand’s approach, you could either interact with a human persona or a personalized avatar. Tailored to all uses, these avatars could be designed to soothe you, amuse you or win you over. The use of agents in educational settings such as museums or learning platforms shows promise. They offer an immersive and personalized experience that makes it easier to absorb knowledge. However, the application of these technologies in the commercial realm, illustrated by scenarios such as a smiling Superman trying to sell you an insurance policy, raises ethical and practical questions about the authenticity and effectiveness of these interactions.

#4 Big-name manufacturers turn to AI assistants

In terms of major manufacturers like Samsung, Panasonic and LG, the trend is towards ever smarter objects, with AI assistants to help you manage your home or family. The multiplication of assistants is raising concerns about mutual compatibility, reminiscent of the IoT market’s early days when each company offered its own closed ecosystem. A dozen years passed before standards like Matter were introduced to provide greater interoperability. This situation demonstrates the importance of inter-sector collaboration to avoid market fragmentation, which could inhibit consumers’ adoption of new technologies. Manufacturers should aim to create open, interoperable ecosystems that ensure a smooth and coherent user experience.

#5 Smart glasses galore

Smart glasses were everywhere at the show, with more than 15 models presented. Following the success of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, many companies like Rokid, Lawk, Captify, Holliday and 1Cosmos have entered the market. These glasses feature voice or touch assistants, earphones and sometimes cameras. They offer various possibilities, ranging from augmented reality to personal assistance and professional applications. It remains to be seen whether they will supersede smart watches or give rise to new uses in our daily lives.  The adoption of these devices will depend on their ability to meet real needs and seamlessly blend into users’ lives, while addressing concerns related to privacy and security.

#6 Sustainable vehicles

Over the years, CES has become a motor show in its own right as cars have moved into prime position. With the arrival of electric prototypes, self-driving cars and a profusion of onboard sensors, such as cameras and lidars, the automotive industry has long been at centre stage. This year, however, the major manufacturers seemed to have turned their attention elsewhere. As the transition to electric is becoming the norm and enthusiasm for batteries and sensors is levelling out, the focus has shifted to more pragmatic and sustainable solutions. A striking example is Aptera’s three-wheeled solar vehicle, a streamlined technological innovation that reflects a fresh approach grounded in realism. This change of direction may point to a reset of priorities in the mobility sector, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.

#7 Connected health

Connected health is a constantly changing sector at CES: each year sees the arrival of new sensors and devices designed to improve medical care. In 2025, there was much interest in exoskeletons, which come in various forms for specific uses, ranging from support for carrying heavy loads to hiking assistance. Designed for a variety of profiles, from children to seniors, these devices have the potential to revolutionize daily life by providing adapted physical aid. Elsewhere, the growth of smart rings also drew attention. Models like Ultrahuman’s Rare ring, made of gold and silver, are targeted at the high-end segment, with prices reaching USD 2,000. Fitted with long-life batteries, these rings reflect a trend towards more sophisticated devices that offer greater freedom. They look set to become unobtrusive yet powerful allies in personal health management.

CES 2025 was a mixed edition: while it was hampered by budget cuts and an overabundance of AI-related topics, it did highlight a number of promising innovations.

The omnipresence of artificial intelligence sometimes gave the impression of technological one-upmanship, but other sectors like sustainable mobility and connected health contributed practical solutions to today’s challenges. The focus on more responsible innovations points to an industry seeking balance between advances in technology and pragmatic realism. As CES continues to evolve, it remains an essential event for understanding where technology is headed. We look forward to greater diversification and a return to more balanced innovation in the coming editions.