CES 2025 Sets The Stage For The Year Ahead

CES, the annual technology extravaganza hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), kicks off the new year Tuesday with over 150,000 industry attendees and 4,000 exhibitors converging in Las Vegas. It’s not just the first big tech event of the year—it’s the one that sets the tone for the next twelve months of innovation.

As Kinsey Fabrizio, President of the CTA, put it in an interview last week, “Every company is a tech company now, and CES reflects that reality. We’ve gone from being the Consumer Electronics Show to the ‘Consumer Everything Show.’” In fact, the CTA has fully embraced this evolution, officially dropping the phrase "Consumer Electronics Show" from its branding years ago.

According to Forbes, this transformation has been decades in the making. CES has grown far beyond its roots as a showcase for gadgets and electronics. Today, it spans categories as diverse as automotive, health tech, extended reality (XR), and wearables. “From tractors by John Deere to AI-driven health diagnostics and prototypes of autonomous vehicles, CES is where the future comes to life,” said Fabrizio.

What to Expect at CES 2025

CES 2025 promises to be an exciting blend of established tech trends and emerging innovations. Among the highlights are keynotes from two industry heavyweights: Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Samsung.

Huang’s keynote is expected to spotlight Nvidia’s role in powering the AI revolution. “We’re thrilled to have Jensen kick off CES,” said Fabrizio. “His insights into AI and its applications across industries are going to set the tone for the show.” Nvidia’s influence spans far beyond gaming GPUs—it’s shaping the future of generative AI, autonomous vehicles, and data centers.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s keynote may offer a glimpse into its much-anticipated AR headset, a move that could accelerate the adoption of extended reality technologies. As CES continues to be a launchpad for breakthroughs, this presentation is one to watch.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the key zones and themes at CES 2025:

• Mobility: Automotive tech has become a centerpiece of CES. From EVs to autonomous systems, major players like BMW and Hyundai will showcase their latest innovations. Fabrizio highlighted this shift: “CES went from featuring aftermarket car tech to full-scale OEM exhibits. Today, it’s a destination for transformative mobility stories.”
• Health Tech: With AI-enabled diagnostics and remote monitoring systems, health tech is expected to be one of the fastest-growing sectors at CES. Gary Shapiro, CEO of the CTA, emphasized its importance: “Technology is solving critical problems in healthcare, from addressing shortages of professionals to enabling aging populations to live independently.”
• Wearables: This year’s wearables will focus on consumer-friendly devices like health trackers, smart glasses, and voice-enabled tools. “Voice will become the operating system,” said Fabrizio. “This year, expect a lot of innovation around frames and wearables.”
• XR: Augmented and virtual reality remains a hot topic, with new devices and platforms competing for attention. Samsung’s rumored AR headset could be a major talking point.