Tech trends at CES 2025 favor growth, as long as the trade war doesn't start | CTA

The US tech market is expected to grow several percent by 2025 to $537 billion, as long as there is no trade war triggered by promised tariffs from president elect Donald Trump, according to the Consumer Technology Association, the group that puts on CES.

That's one of the predictions made today about tech trends in the opening session of the CES 2025the big tech trade show in Las Vegas this week. AI could drive that growth, as 93% of US adults are familiar with generative AI. And 61% of US adults have used an AI tool to work.

Brian Comiskey, senior director of innovation and trends at CTA, spoke about predictions for tech trends in front of a room full of international tech press. He noted that Gen Z is about 32% of the global population today, and it is 27% of the OECD economic workforce. He says Gen Z grew up with smartphones and is the first truly digital native generation.

Comiskey says 60% of Gen Z are early tech adopters in the US, based on their purchasing habits. Comiskey took the stage with Melissa Harrison, head of marketing and communications at CTA, the trade association that puts on CES.

The CTA expects the US tech market to grow 3.2% to $537 billion in 2025, up from $520 billion in 2024. But the warning is that Trump's promised tariffs could reduce those numbers significantly if the tariffs will trigger a trade war. Things like laptop sales could drop by as much as two-thirds if that happens, he said. Game consoles will also be affected in a negative way.

Human security is a big trend that will affect technology. This includes energy transition, including grid resilience and infrastructure. Companies are investing in nuclear power simply to boost the infrastructure needed to meet AI demand, Comiskey said.

He also said we're moving toward autonomy, for everything from aircraft to Waymo's self-driving ridesharing vehicles to Mobileye's sensors.

The AI ​​retail market is expected to reach $7 billion while virtual try-on will be a $2 billion market. Consumers are taking to buying AI. about 64% have used AI tools for shopping online.

Modern business benefits from advances in computing and AI tech. Semiconductors can only perform at their best if the software enables the modern data infrastructure. Smart home will take advantage of the next generation of AI for products like smarter TV. AI will help robotic vacuums from Narwal, and improve pet care products like Pawport.

Harrison said he toured the show floor and noted that Oshkosh, which is more than 100 years old, is exhibiting at CES for the first time and is “bringing it,” he said.

And the future looks promising. “If the 2020s was the intelligence decade, the 2030s will be the quantum decade,” Comiskey said.

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