Revolutionary inventions such as CDs, high-definition television, Blu-ray and 3D printers made their debut at CES, the largest consumer technology fair in the world. In this edition, more than 4,500 exhibitors have shown their creations between January 7 and 10 in the hotels and convention centers of Las Vegas. This essential event for technology companies is consolidated as a showcase of the trends that will dominate the technological landscape in the coming months.
“To understand how technology changes, we must first understand how people use it and how they are changing,” says Brian Comiskey, senior director of innovation and trends at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Although political, economic and sociocultural changes impact the adoption and use of technology, for him, there is something that is marking this evolution: generational change. Generation Z, made up of those born between 1997 and 2012, represents a third of the world’s population and 27% of the OECD economic workforce.
“When we innovate, we have to think about how to address their needs and preferences,” he says. The expert highlights that in a Generation Z home there are on average 13 technological devices, “the highest number among generations.” This is a generation that has grown up with technology and prioritizes sustainability: “Gen Z is 2.5 times more likely to buy products with sustainable values, such as energy efficiency.”
Generative artificial intelligence
For Gary Shapiro, CEO of the CTA, “AI is as transformative as the Internet was at the time.” If there is one thing he is convinced of, it is that generative AI, specifically machine learning and the ability to create, “represents a major leap in human evolution.” “It will allow us, in a sense, to benefit from machines to solve the biggest problems we face on Earth, for example in health and transportation,” he says.
93% of Americans are familiar with generative AI and 61% use AI tools for work, according to the CTA. Shapiro points out that there are ephemeral fads like 3D televisions, eight-track cartridges and the metaverse that, “for some reason, sparked public interest.” But he highlights that they were not truly transformative long-term fashions, like the Internet or high-definition television (HDTV) were. “You have to separate the real from the noise,” highlights Shapiro, who says he is “completely convinced” that generative AI will change the world.
smart home
Technology has transformed life at home. Melissa Harrison, vice president of Marketing and Communications at CTA, highlights that television continues to evolve as a smart hub, integrating health solutions, energy management and personalization through AI. Among the companies that are shaping the future of the smart home are Samsung, LG, Tuya, Pawport or Roborock, the company that has invited Morning Express to CES.
At the fair, devices such as the Roborock Saros Z70, a robot vacuum cleaner with a robotic arm capable of picking up socks, have attracted attention. Also a Samsung mirror that scans the face to AI evaluate pores, pigmentation, wrinkles and redness and offer skin care recommendations. Additionally, some robots appear poised to leave CES demos and enter homes. This is the case of Ballie, a yellow ball that rolls on the floor and can interact with users, project images on walls or control smart home devices. The South Korean giant presented it five years ago and has announced that it will hit the market in 2025.
Digital health
Smart home technology is increasingly seen as old technology, according to Harrison. Virtually every country in the world is experiencing an increase in the number and proportion of older people, as noted by the United Nations. The CTA indicates that seniors use various technologies to lead healthier lives, such as onMed care stations and Withings blood pressure monitors. CES 2025 presented technological innovations focused on health and well-being, such as Vivoo’s at-home hormone tests, the smart mirror that analyzes body health and biomarkers from Withings, or tests that measure cortisol levels in saliva. to monitor stress from Nutrix AG.
Energy transition and sustainability
Comiskey assures that technology plays a fundamental role in promoting and defining the “energy transition.” According to the CTA, although the term may seem like a recent trend, “it is nothing new.” “In fact, society has already gone through two major energy transitions: from firewood to coal and then to oil. Now we have reached another crucial point in this energy revolution,” says the organization, which emphasizes that technology makes this transition “possible and essential.”
At CES, exhibitors have showcased technologies designed to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable solutions. Among the companies highlighted by the CTA is Haus.me, which develops self-sufficient smart homes. Another example is Hydrific, a sensor that is installed in home pipes and uses machine learning to monitor water consumption. Through an app, users can review their daily, weekly and monthly usage, as well as receive alerts about leaks or water waste. “For example, you could identify if you have an inefficient 50-year-old toilet and consider that replacing it would be a good investment to save water and money,” says Julia Deister, an employee of the company.
Mobility
“We are seeing significant advances in mobility, with technologies that transform both personal and industrial vehicles,” highlights Comiskey. Taking a walk through CES, you come across all kinds of mobility innovations: from autonomous electric vehicles to flying cars to “more sustainable and automated” agricultural and construction machinery.
Various companies are driving innovation in electrified mobility, according to Harrison. Scout Motors stands out for its electric vehicles, while BYD leads in battery technology for these cars. Blink Charging plays a crucial role in the infrastructure needed for electric vehicle charging and Aime-Bike contributes to the advancement of micromobility with its e-bike solutions.
Quantum computing
Although quantum technology is still in its early stages, what once seemed like science fiction is about to transform quantum computing and other industries, according to the CTA. The organization describes this technology as an “accelerator” capable of optimizing certain classical computing processes and finding optimal solutions to complex problems more efficiently. Quantum computing promises to play a fundamental role in sectors such as finance, chemistry, materials and logistics. “The first commercial solutions are emerging from research and development and extremely powerful applications are anticipated by the early 2030s,” predicts the CTA.
