CES 2025: Reflections and Takeaways from a Transformative Event
CES never stays the same, which is why it attracts such a wide audience: over 141,000 attendees from nearly 150 countries.
Each year CES brings something new, not just in how the show reinvents itself but in how the exhibitors showcase how industries evolve. CES 2025 captured that dynamic perfectly, as AI was fully integrated into nearly every industry and product.
Last year, AI was everywhere at CES, with companies demonstrating what was possible. This year, AI wasn’t just present; it was actionable, embedded in products across sectors. CES is a unique lens through which to observe this kind of industry evolution in electronics, digital health, robotics, lifestyle, smart home, fintech, metaverse, and even now with Buildwithin SkillsTech.
CES’s influence is undeniable. Nvidia has a conference in 3 months and yet announced several mindblowing products at CES. Google just announced a myriad of products in December but still made several key announcements in Las Vegas last week.
CES also provides a unique environment where companies showcase their pivots and metamorphoses. For example, Nikon is no longer just a camera company: at CES 2025, they demonstrated robotic cameras capable of automating an entire production studio. I reported the weather from a teleprompter with wind and sound effects and a robotic camera. This type of innovation exemplifies how technology reshapes industries.
This is the Era of Co-Creation with AI
As the co-founder of an AI company, I deeply appreciate CES’s opening an exhibit area specifically for b2b software, AI, and the Metaverse at the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Our booth highlighted BuildWithin’s #SkillsTechwhich included AI agents, skills-matching algorithms, case management tools, apprenticeship software, and other solutions designed to streamline workforce development and improve government efficiency.
Our Skills Nation booth was a collaboration with the Washington, DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), showcasing how tech startups can serve as effective partners for government agencies. We deeply appreciate the leadership of DOES in embracing innovation to achieve its mission of making government operations more efficient and impactful.
Together, we demonstrated how BuildWithin’s AI-driven tools streamline tedious processes, enabling government operations to run more effectively. The purpose of AI and technology is not to replace human workers but to simplify repetitive tasks, allowing people to focus on more complex, strategic, and value-driven work. Through this collaboration, DOES is well-positioned to modernize workflows, enhance efficiency, and achieve its primary goal: empowering DC residents to gain new skills and access better job opportunities.
AI announcements
I’ve always admired Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and his three-hour keynote at CES 2025 was nothing short of an AI masterclass and incredible announcements.
For instance, Jensen unveiled new chips for laptop and desktop computers that use the same Blackwell architecture used in Nvidia’s fastest artificial intelligence processors for data centers. Jensen showed the chips, called GeForce RTX 50-series, preinstalled in computers with one being priced at just$549.00. Jensen said the chips will be optimized to run AI models and the new processors will be powerful enough to run large language modelsfrom all known companies such as OpenAi, Llama, Gemini, Anthropic and others.
The BuildWithin team was particularly excited when Jensen showed off some of the new AI Blueprints designed to simplify the creation of advanced AI agents. We have built AI agents for workforce and education and believe in the power of Agentic AI. Jensen’s keynote was inspiring for anyone who believes in the transformative power of AI, but what also resonated with me, and with our apprentices, is his personal journey. He started as a dishwasher and worked tirelessly to achieve the success he has today. His story reminded me of my own beginnings as an immigrant to the United States, working as a house cleaner and bartender; jobs many of our apprentices start with before transitioning into tech. Jensen’s dedication, humility, and perseverance define him and make him both relatable and inspiring for our apprentices. He is a powerful role model, embodying the grit and determination at the core of every apprentice’s journey.
CES is not a Trade show, it’s an Experience
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), has been a guiding force for me since I started my career in tech. His mentorship has been invaluable, especially as an immigrant and startup founder navigating this complex industry. Gary’s leadership took CES through the many industry evolutions as well as the Pandemic when many other trade shows died. At CES he also announced his new book: Pivot or Die which epitomizes the idea innovation is not linear and requires the ability to change course and take risks. Watching him kick off the show with Kinsey Fabrizio (the new president of CTA) on the main stage was a highlight. Their chemistry and enthusiasm set the tone for an incredible event. During the Panasonic keynote, Gary entered the stage on a Panasonic e-bike and introduced 8 Mile actor Anthony Mckee and the CEO of Panasonic.
On Tuesday, Delta Airlines, the longest-operating U.S. carrier, celebrated its centennial with a groundbreaking CES keynote at the Vegas Sphere, led by CEO Ed Bastian that was followed by a performance from Lenny Kravitz. The event fully leveraged the Sphere’s immersive capabilities, including a wraparound display, advanced audio, wind effects, scents, and tactile seat feedback, which combined to create a stunning virtual journey. Gary kicked off the keynote with, “WOW, this is incredible,” and it lived up to the remark. The presentation featured a life-sized Airbus A350–900 taxiing into Sphere, a dramatic takeoff, cockpit views, and a landing sequence, all brought to life through Sphere’s cutting-edge technology.
One of my favorite parts of CES was using the Tesla Loop to get around. Which, I relied on traveling between West and Central Halls -going back and forth at least twice a day. Tesla’s all-electric, zero-emission, high-speed system was free, had no wait lines, and saved me a ton of time.. It was incredibly fast and efficient, making it easy to move between sessions without the hassle of navigating the crowds above ground.
A fun highlight for me was running into the CEO of Skechers while wearing pink Skeche on the exhibit floor. Can you believe it? Only at CES.
AI Everywhere and in Everything:
AI was the centerpiece of CES 2025.
Agentic AI, which allows agents to control multiple foundation models and automate mundane tasks, was a recurring theme. Major brands like LG and Samsung highlighted AI’s potential in everyday life, with campaigns like “Affectionate Intelligence” and “AI for All.” The industry’s commitment to making AI accessible and transformative was evident everywhere.
In the robotics space, the Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum cleaner represents a leap forward in automated home assistance. Its OmniGrip Mechanical Arm — a sophisticated five-axis system that’s built into the body of the robot vacuum itself, can identify and lift objects up to 300g. Demos included the Z70 lifting socks out of the way to keep cleaning routes clear. Beyond simple vacuum capabilities, the system also uses AI-driven object recognition to handle household items appropriately and includes pet detection features that modify its behavior around animals.
The urgency of AI Skilling
AI’s ubiquity at CES underscores the urgent need to train our workforce. The innovations on display at the conference will require a workforce to create, maintain, repair and sell them. This theme came up repeatedly during two packed panel discussions I attended. Leaders like DC’s Secretary of Labor, Dean Riddle from GWU, Aisha Bonds of the Black Chamber of Commerce, Kristina Noell of the Anacostia BID, and Kenneth Walker from the DC Department of Labor discussed the transformative potential of AI and the story of the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium. This initiative aims to align industry-led training programs in DC to prepare workers for emerging opportunities.
Global interest in replicating this effort was palpable. It’s clear that you can’t walk the CES floors, see the latest AI innovations, and not feel the urgency to accelerate workforce development. This mission drives BuildWithin’s work, and CES served as a reminder of how critical it is to remain focused on this goal.
Robotic Operators and the New Careers Emerging from Robotics
It’s hard to think of industries facing greater talent and skills shortages than healthcare, agriculture, data science, and services for people with special needs and the elderly. At CES 2025, robotics and automation took center stage, offering solutions to labor gaps while creating opportunities for new careers. Companies showcased innovations designed to handle tasks that are dangerous, tedious, or otherwise unappealing for human workers, demonstrating the potential of robotics to address pressing workforce challenges.
John Deere’s Autonomous Innovations
John Deere unveiled a suite of autonomous vehicles, including a second-generation self-driving tractor, a lidar-equipped orchard-specific tractor, the driverless dump truck “Dusty,” and a fully electric robot lawn mower. These machines address labor shortages in agriculture, construction, and landscaping by automating repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Importantly, John Deere emphasizes upskilling and retraining workers to oversee and maintain these systems, ensuring that employees transition into higher-skilled roles.
Roborock Saros Z70: Advanced Home Assistance
The Roborock Saros Z70 showcased cutting-edge automation with its OmniGrip Mechanical Arm, a five-axis system capable of lifting objects up to 300g. The demo included the Z70 picking up socks to clear cleaning paths, highlighting its potential in industries like hospitality. Imagine robots assisting hotel staff, enabling room attendants to focus on more meaningful tasks while creating new roles for robotic operators and trainers. After all, who better to configure these systems than the staff who understand the job best?
R2C2 (Hong Kong): Industrial robots designed for power plant inspections and train maintenance, reducing worker turnover in dirty and high-risk environments.
Oshkosh automated firetruck showcased how advanced electrification, connectivity, and safety innovations are improving the performance of fire apparatus and empowering first responders in critical, high-pressure situations. Now more than ever we all recognize the importance to elevate the fire service and this human-Automation collaboration is coming at the right time.
Haply Robotics: The demo featured specialized robots designed for 3D and healthcare applications. These robots have the potential to simulate real work environments in healthcare, making training more accessible, cost-effective, and efficient. Trainees are likely to feel more comfortable practicing with a simulated robot than with an expensive, real-world machine, enhancing their confidence and skills before transitioning to the actual equipment.
Human + AI Collaboration makes jobs more interesting, more relevant, and better paid.
Preparing Workers to Co-Exist with Robots
- Equipment Monitoring: Robot and Automated Machine Operators must learn to maintain and repair sensors, cameras, hardware, and AI systems.
- Data Analysis: Understanding how to interpret data from autonomous machines can optimize productivity and reduce downtime.
- Mechanical-Electrical Repair: Workers can gain expertise in calibrating sensors, replacing parts, and performing firmware updates.
- On-Board Hardware Support: Technicians with knowledge of advanced hardware configurations for autonomous systems will be in high demand
- Fleet Managers and Tele-Operators: Even autonomous systems benefit from human oversight to handle unexpected scenarios.
- Precision Agriculture Specialists: Former operators can leverage real-time data to optimize planting, irrigation, and harvesting processes.
Innovation does not happen without Collaboration:
One of the most striking aspects of CES 2025 was the emphasis on collaboration. Companies like Honda and Sony joined forces to create the Afeela 1 EV. A fully equipped car for entertainment.
Collaboration is essential to addressing today’s workforce challenges, and the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium, funded by the DC Department of Employment Services, exemplifies this necessity. With leadership from organizations like the Economic Club of Washington, George Washington University, the Anacostia Business Improvement District, and many others, the Consortium is focused on aligning training programs with the evolving needs of industry.
At CES 2025, a delegation of 30 leaders representing these diverse organizations returned inspired by the innovations and insights shared at the event. The conference showcased not only the latest technological advancements but also the importance of meaningful dialogue about the future of work. From the rise of AI to the critical need for workforce training, CES reinforced that embracing technology and preparing workers for tomorrow’s opportunities requires collaboration at every level.
