A Year of AI Buzz and Subtle Progress

My experience of CES 2025 was forever marked by the Los Angeles fires, which forced many of us to leave early and witness the devastating firestorm. Today, the calmness has returned, a stark contrast to the devastation just a few miles away. As I reflect on the show, attended by 140,000 people last year, it felt smaller this time around. However, official numbers are yet to be released.

The theme of CES 2025 seemed to revolve around artificial intelligence (AI). Everywhere I looked, AI was being touted as the next big thing. Despite the hype, there wasn’t much tangible evidence on display. The limitations of bandwidth within the convention center hindered real-time demonstrations of AI’s potential.

AI Everywhere – And Nowhere

The paradox of AI being both ubiquitous and invisible defined CES 2025. While there were smart gadgets and AI-enabled devices showcased, there was a lack of groundbreaking innovations. The gap between marketing AI and its practical applications was evident.

The highlight of the show was Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote, where he outlined AI’s role across various industries. Despite the grand vision, the exhibition floor lacked evidence of a revolutionary change beyond self-proclaimed titles.

The consumer AI exhibited at CES included a variety of robots, from auto vacuums to security bots and robot toys. However, the true innovation seemed lacking.

The Big Boys Take Up A Lot of Space

The major players in consumer electronics, such as Sony, TCL, LG, and Panasonic, had massive booths showcasing their latest products, ranging from smartphones to laptops with multiple screens.

Noteworthy reveals included Sony and Honda’s collaboration on the AFEELA electric vehicle and LG’s transparent TVs. Samsung and TCL also had strong showings emphasizing AI integration in their products.

XR Isn’t The New Kid Anymore, But It Hasn’t Grown Up

The XR space at CES reflected a downturn in the sector’s momentum. While some players like Xreal and Rokid showcased innovative products, the overall landscape showed a lack of significant advancements beyond gaming and screen-extension functionalities.

Sony introduced the XYN (/zin/) VR headset, offering a hardware and software solution for creating spatial content. The headset is priced at $4,750, targeting users interested in immersive experiences.

Samsung Halliday unveiled a unique AR glasses equipped with a monochromatic display for notifications or maps. The market for AR glasses overlaying data on the real world is still evolving, with challenges in technical feasibility and consumer adoption.

Companies like Xreal and Rokid are focusing on screen-extender functionalities rather than traditional AR glasses, offering users a unique personal screen experience. However, the true demand for such technology remains unclear.

Overall, CES 2025 exhibited promising developments that are yet to fully materialize in the consumer market. AI and XR technologies continue to evolve, raising questions about their future impact and adoption.

As the show came to a close, the potential of AI and XR technologies remained on the horizon, awaiting further advancements and deployments.