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CES 2025: AI Moves from Promise to Practical Applications

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show marked a decisive shift in artificial intelligence's evolution from theoretical capability to practical application. While previous years focused on AI model capabilities, this year showcased mature, purpose-built applications across industries. Four key themes emerged: physical world AI integration, democratized computing power, healthcare innovation and autonomous mobility solutions - each signaling fundamental shifts in enterprise digital transformation.

If you want to be inspired by the creativity of futuristic technology applications across consumer healthcare, home, robotics and travel applications, look no further than the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Billed as the "Global Stage for Innovation", this year's showing did not disappoint; however, there was a marked shift in discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) that highlighted both the market and the consumer maturity in AI applications.

World Wide Technology (WWT) was invited to speak about our position regarding Agentic AI and to share real-world examples of how retailers are leveraging AI to drive hyper-personalized outcomes. Sharing the stage with forward-thinking industry leaders like Alibaba, StitchFix, National Retail Federation (NRF), Universal Studios, and emerging GenAI solution providers from SoundHound, The Pause Technologies Inc. and Vody, the shift in AI's journey from promise to practicality was pronounced. In our discussions with customers, participation in panels and experience walking the exhibition floor, we believe this evolution was evident across four major themes:

  1. Physical world AI integration: The most striking transformation at CES 2025 was the change in discourse. While there were still plenty of discussions that explored responsible AI considerations across media, advertising, and content creation, there was a heavy emphasis on available technology that powers physical world outcomes. For example, NVIDIA launched Cosmos, a platform that introduces the concept of state-of-the-art world foundation models that generate videos of virtual world states. Exemplifying the potential of this technology framework, robotics and autonomous vehicle markers introduced new capabilities. Roborock, a leader in home robot vacuums, introduced an OmniGrip intelligent and foldable robotic arm while Agility Robotics' Digit created a vision where robots can reliably and safely perform real-world tasks like repetitive warehousing tasks. In parallel, companies like John Deere and Caterpillar showcased their home-grown AI-powered autonomous systems that are actively transforming traditional agriculture, construction and commercial landscaping industries. These diverse examples highlight not just the amazing evolution that has taken place in the AI dialogue but also new ways in which work will soon be completed across enterprises and consumer uses.
  2. Democratized AI computing: Multiple announcements highlighted how AI computing power is becoming more accessible across multiple price points and via a more diverse set of form factors. For example, AI researchers, data scientists, developers and students will be able to leverage NVIDIA Project DIGITS, a compact AI supercomputer for desktops that can run 200-billion-parameter models or a broad array of AI-optimized AMD and Intel-powered laptops and PCs.  This democratization was particularly evident in home entertainment, where TCL and Google announced next-generation TVs that bring advanced AI features accessible to average consumers at mainstream price points. This trend extended to wearables, where companies like Rokid, Halliday and Even Realities introduced new lines of smart glasses that added enhanced AI features like real-time translation and object recognition at a price point comparable to traditional eyewear. These developments highlight the impact of advances in chip design, established patterns and more efficient AI models have had in making once-specialized enterprise technology accessible to consumers in everyday devices.
  3. Healthcare and aging innovation: AI's maturation was also evident in healthcare solutions. For example, OnMed's "Clinic-in-a-Box" showcased how AI is creating new diagnostic and treatment offerings for underserved communities. Broader accessibility to healthcare was core to FaceHeart's CardioMirror, which uses FDA-cleared technology to detect cardiac arrhythmias through a simple mirror interface. Similarly, for the aging and hearing-impaired populations, there was a wave of AI-enabled solutions, from EssilorLuxottica's Nuance Audio smart glasses that combine vision correction with hearing enhancement to Xander's real-time caption-displaying glasses and Elehear's AI-powered hearing aids with translation capabilities that demonstrated how AI is being used to make assistive technology more capable, discreet and affordable across the care continuum.
  4. Advanced mobility solutions: The transportation sector showcased incredible advancements in autonomous technology and urban air mobility — a notable shift from concept vehicles to immediate availability and/or published production timelines. The show-stopping Hyundai S-A2 flying taxi, complete with whisper-quiet operations, a maximum speed of 120mph and a cruising altitude of 1,500 feet, exemplified this evolution. Not to be outdone, these advancements in air mobility were matched on the ground, where Honda presented the world premiere of two prototype models (Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV). Both are powered by its AI-powered ASIMO operating system that is designed to deliver ultra-personalized optimization and carry a firm 2026 production timeline. The long-haul trucking industry showed similar progress toward real-world deployment, with Kodiak logging 50,000 autonomous miles and Aurora and Continental announcing plans for mass production of Level 4 autonomous trucks, built on NVIDIA technology, by 2027. Again, more signals that AI-enabled technology will not only be embedded in core human activities but will fundamentally transform how people and goods move through our increasingly connected world.

The implications for WWT and our clients are profound. We've consistently seen consumer technology innovations preview and accelerate enterprise transformation and believe these CES innovations signal fundamental shifts in how our enterprise clients must think about digital transformation. 

Beyond heightened consumer expectations, the democratization of AI computing power will drive enterprise demand for edge computing solutions. The integration of AI into physical world operations signals growing needs for industrial automation, IoT expertise and another look at enterprise architecture. Healthcare innovations preview coming transformations in enterprise wellness and assistance programs. Finally, advances in autonomous mobility hint at broader changes coming to supply chains and logistics. 

For WWT, this convergence of AI maturity and practical applications means we must be ready to help clients navigate not just technology implementation, but the broader business transformations these innovations enable. Our role is to bridge the gap between these emerging capabilities and practical business value, ensuring organizations can leverage these innovations to drive meaningful outcomes rather than just implementing technology for technology's sake.