Imagine a time when companies proudly advertised: “We have electricity in our product!” Laughable, right? This analogy, shared at CES 2025, perfectly illustrates how artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved. Once a buzzword, AI is now seamlessly woven into the fabric of innovation, driving automation, personalisation and intuitive decision-making.
This year’s CES, held amidst the vibrant energy of Las Vegas, spotlighted key trends such as AI’s deep integration, consumer-first healthcare, accessible robotics and the rise of digital-physical innovations, also known as spatial computing. It also revealed critical gaps, such as the need for sustainable solutions, affordable electric vehicle (EV) conversions and preparation for emerging security challenges. Below, we’ll explore the standout innovations, actionable opportunities and how 42T’s expertise can help businesses thrive in this transformative era.
Discover how the latest innovations from CES and beyond are shaping the future of technology in our 2025 Trend report: Shaping the future of technology.
Key takeaways from CES 2025
The crowded tech arena – consolidation is on the horizon
CES 2025 highlighted fierce competition, particularly in the AI sector, where a proliferation of similar offerings signals an imminent market shakeout. As 42T’s Principal Consultant David Griffin observed, “Many companies are throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Serious consolidation is coming before the decade ends.”
Key insight: AI is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a foundational driver of efficiency and innovation. The winners will be those who deliver tangible value through specialised applications tailored to specific industries, such as predictive maintenance in manufacturing. As AI becomes ubiquitous, it will shift from being a bragging right to a baseline expectation, much like electricity in modern devices.
Opportunity: Focus on niche AI solutions that solve real problems. For example, predictive algorithms can anticipate factory equipment failures by analysing sensor data, reducing downtime and extending equipment lifespan.
42T’s role: We support businesses in identifying industry-specific AI opportunities, from concept development to scalable implementation, ensuring maximum impact and ROI.

Consumer-first healthcare – putting control in the users’ hands
Health tech was a major highlight, with innovations like wearable fitness trackers, real-time sleep monitors and direct-to-consumer medical devices. Abbott’s blood glucose monitor, Lingo, exemplifies this shift towards empowering individuals to manage their health without clinical oversight.
“Abbott’s stand was entirely centred on Lingo, its over-the-counter blood glucose monitor, which it proudly presented as the company’s first lifestyle device. When one of the world’s largest medical companies promotes a product that anyone can order at any time and use without guidance, this signals a significant industry shift acknowledging that consumer health is now the industry’s first choice.”
Key insight: Personal health technologies enable users to proactively monitor and manage their well-being while offering precise, actionable data.
Opportunity: Ensure these innovations scale effectively by prioritising interoperability and robust data security. For example, seamless integration between devices like smartwatches and health apps can create a holistic view of a user’s health while maintaining privacy.
42T’s role: We help businesses design and scale healthcare solutions that balance user-centric design with regulatory compliance, ensuring safe and impactful consumer experiences.

To learn more about designing patient-centric medical devices, download our MedTech white paper: Prioritising patient usability in home-use medical device design.
AI – the invisible interface
At CES 2025, AI was positioned well beyond a standalone feature and more as an invisible enabler of user-friendly interfaces. “We need to stop thinking of AI as a tool or technology and start considering it a new user interface. It will change how we interact with technologies, tools and systems to make them more intuitive and natural to use,” said 42T’s CEO Jon Spratley.
From predictive algorithms to adaptive systems, AI is transforming complex technologies into intuitive experiences. This makes tools more accessible for users across all demographics, including those in emerging markets. However, as AI’s role expands, it will no longer be a unique selling point. Like electricity, it will quietly run in the background, assumed to be present in every product.
Key insight: The best AI applications reduce complexity and prioritise usability, creating seamless experiences for users.
Opportunity: Businesses can design adaptive AI-driven interfaces that personalise user experiences while catering to underrepresented groups. Additionally, hardware is experiencing a resurgence as AI’s processing demands push the boundaries of what’s possible. Companies investing in integrated, high-performance hardware stand to gain a competitive edge.
42T’s role: Our team collaborates with clients to develop intuitive AI-powered interfaces and integrated hardware solutions, ensuring they meet diverse user needs and drive adoption.
Explore how AI is reshaping both digital and physical experiences in our Future of consumer products report 2025.
Memorable moments from CES 2025
Humanoid robots and robotic dogs
CES 2025 showcased the growing accessibility of robotics, from humanoid robots to robotic dogs. While some felt aspirational, these innovations signal progress in automation for industries like retail and warehousing.
APAC’s prominence
A striking observation was the overwhelming presence of APAC companies, representing around 60% of exhibitors. Their agility and innovative approaches serve as lessons for Western businesses seeking global expansion.
Spotting viable innovations
Amidst concept cars and AI toys, practical innovations like curved monitors and telescopic laptop screens stood out as market-ready, drawing a distinct line between hype and feasibility.
Resurgence of hardware development
Another notable shift is the renewed focus on hardware development. After years of commoditisation, CES 2025 highlighted how AI’s demand for processing power is making advanced, integrated hardware a competitive advantage. Businesses that invest in custom hardware solutions to complement their AI innovations will set themselves apart.
What was missing? – Opportunities for bold innovation
Sustainability takes a backseat
Sustainability received less attention than expected, leaving a gap for businesses willing to lead. “Sustainability wasn’t as heavily represented as it should have been,” noted Jon Spratley.
Opportunity: Companies can gain a competitive edge by prioritising eco-friendly initiatives, such as using recycled materials, optimising energy consumption and designing products for end-of-life recyclability. This gap in sustainability opens opportunities for innovators to lead by example in creating long-term value while addressing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products.

For actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth, download our Consumer sustainability report 2025: Transforming sustainable growth strategies.
Affordable EV conversion kits
David Griffin highlighted a transformative opportunity:
“An affordable, mass-market EV conversion kit for existing ICE vehicles could move the needle on EV adoption. It’s a challenge worth pursuing.”
Opportunity: Innovators who tackle affordable retrofitting solutions could accelerate the shift to electric mobility, reducing reliance on new EV production and increasing accessibility.
Quantum computing and security risks
One critical topic that was underrepresented was the looming threat of quantum computing on current encryption methods. Quantum computing has the potential to render existing encryption systems obsolete almost overnight. Experts at CES likened this to the Y2K risk but with an unclear timeline, creating a significant but unpredictable threat. Businesses must rethink how they protect sensitive data, particularly their most valuable ‘crown jewels,’ as cyber-criminals may already be harvesting encrypted information for future use.
Opportunity: Organisations should begin investing in quantum-resistant encryption and strategies to secure critical data.
Turning CES 2025 insights into action
CES 2025 highlighted a tech sector striving to balance refinement with bold experimentation. From AI-driven user interfaces to consumer-first healthcare and digital-physical innovations, the opportunities for innovation and growth are vast. However, gaps in sustainability, affordability and security serve as a reminder of the need for courageous and forward-thinking solutions.
As digital-physical (spatial computing) innovation gains momentum, businesses must recognise that the interplay between hardware, AI and robust cybersecurity will drive the next wave of transformative technologies. At 42T, this reinforces our commitment to helping companies transform ambitious ideas into market-ready products. Whether it’s finding practical ways of leveraging AI, driving innovation in health tech or addressing the challenges of regulatory compliance, we’re here to support the next generation of technology pioneers.
If the trends and themes from CES 2025 have sparked ideas for your business, we’d love to help you explore their potential. Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can bring your boldest ideas to life.
Let us help you