No, it’s not baseball season, and I no longer play baseball. I made it to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Ashley had a lot of things on her plate this month, so I went to Las Vegas on behalf of our team and spent four days wandering around the venues, checking out the booths Ashley and I had identified and many, many more. This has been an annual pilgrimage every January for approximately 30 years, Covid excepted. I go out of curiosity to gather new information about the direction of technological evolution and identify products Ashley and I will want to look at for product reviews and possible inclusion in our annual gift guides. CES is not open to consumers. In the distant past, consumers could often easily get into the show; not any longer. For many years now, to obtain admission to the show, you need to establish credentials as a buyer/reseller, manufacturer/vendor, analyst, or media. I got in a few times years ago without those credentials, but I have attended with a media pass for over 25 years
Let me give you some perspective on its size. When I started going, my youth and energy, and the far more diminutive size of the show, allowed me to get through it all in two days. Now, because I am older and slower and the show is vastly more extensive, I cannot see it all in the four days they keep the exhibit floor open. When I started going, CES took up the entire Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), which we now call Central Hall and what they laughingly called “North Hall,” which then consisted of a two-story wood-frame house across the street from the LVCC. Since then, they have redone Central Hall, demolished the house, and built a significantly larger North Hall, then an even larger South Hall (which they just renovated), and, most recently, a modern and sizable West Hall. As the LVCC expanded, so did CES. This year, it utilized the entire LVCC (Central, North, South, and West Halls). Despite its size, the LVCC has been unable to house the whole show for many years, and CES also uses other venues. Before its demolition, the Sands had a large convention center. When they demolished the Sands, they preserved the convention center and later connected it to the Venetian and Palazzo, renovated it, and incorporated that into the CES venues. CES also increasingly utilizes ballrooms and private suites in those two hotels and several others to accommodate the show. In addition, exhibitors use outside venues to display and/or demonstrate their products.
This year, CES had representation from 150 countries, regions, and territories. Eureka Park devotes substantial space to innovators working on products that will not immediately come to market. These exhibitors consist mainly of small startups. The more established companies show off such things in their booths. This year, CES had over 4500 exhibitors, including 1400 startups, 6000 media representatives (press and analysts), and 141,000 attendees (all pre-audit).
CES offers the newest and best technology on, about to be on, or hopefully one day to make it to the market. Although titled the Consumer Electronics Show, exhibits include products that facilitate a much broader scope, including business uses, professional activities, and governmental operations. I even encountered one exhibit that included military technology for the first time. Ukraine had a booth to display some of its best technology. I stopped by to chat with the woman running the booth. The display included several drones. While drones appeared in several locations, two on display at the Ukraine booth had a different look. Those two drones looked larger, sturdier, and more industrial than the rest. I inquired whether those two had military applications, and she confirmed that they were types used by the military in the ongoing war with Russia.
Among the many highlights of this year’s show:
Artificial Intelligence
AI had a ubiquitous presence at CES 2025. I have seen other shows that leaned towards a particular technology, but never anything as dominant as AI in the 2025 show. Anything that did not reflect AI took a back seat to everything that claimed a connection to AI, no matter how tenuous the connection. The show connected the dots between humanity and AI through powerful exhibits and programming. From AI-driven productivity tools to breakthroughs in medical advancements, products and services on the show floor demonstrated that artificial intelligence is a technology trend and a transformative force affecting lives worldwide. It seemed like almost everything displayed was powered by AI, used AI, made by AI, designed by AI, or AI itself. Some connections appeared tenuous, like the AI window shades, but those only emphasized the breadth of AI’s power and influence.
I saw an exhibit by one vendor in the automotive section claiming that not all cars had the same IQ. The difference is the amount of AI in the car’s DNA (and the implementation of their product). I sensed that not too much time would pass before the question of whether the car or the driver had a higher IQ would arise. Shortly after seeing that, I passed an exhibit for John Deere. It included a large graphic showing a farmer using a John Deere tractor to tend crops. I did not check to verify this, but it appeared AI made the tractor better. I inevitably mused about whether next year or the year after that, the question would arise about who had more intelligence, the tractor or the farmer driving it.
I have always favored, fostered, and enjoyed technology. Ashley and I have always presented technology as a double-edged sword because it can prove helpful or damaging, depending on how you use it. AI supports that proposition. I don’t want to suggest that AI is some form of deity, but the Judeo-Christian concept of God describes the deity as omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. AI has achieved omnipresence, is close to omniscient, and, while not omnipotent, has acquired a considerable and growing amount of power. Most concerning is that AI remains largely unregulated despite warnings from some of the most influential figures in the AI sphere of influence that it requires regulation.
As AI implementation grows, we will see more incidences of its employment, including by governmental agencies. One way government agencies leverage AI is by automating routine administrative tasks. AI-driven systems can handle voluminous data with remarkable speed and accuracy, from processing applications to managing records. For instance, AI algorithms can automate the review of tax filings, the identification of discrepancies, and even the generation of audit reports. This reduces the workload of government employees, minimizes human error, and accelerates the processing time.
AI is a powerful tool in public safety and law enforcement. Predictive policing algorithms analyze crime data to forecast potential hotspots of criminal activity, enabling law enforcement agencies to allocate resources more effectively. Facial recognition technology, powered by AI, assists in identifying suspects and locating missing persons. AI-driven surveillance systems monitor public spaces and alert authorities to unusual activities in real time, thereby enhancing public security.
Government healthcare services are also experiencing a transformation through AI. AI applications in healthcare range from diagnosing diseases to predicting outbreaks. Machine learning models analyze patient data to identify patterns and provide early warnings of potential health crises. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants offer preliminary medical advice and manage appointments, easing the burden on healthcare providers. By integrating AI into the healthcare system, government agencies can ensure timely and accurate medical intervention, ultimately saving lives.
AI's impact extends to transportation and infrastructure management. Intelligent traffic management systems analyze real-time data to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and minimize accidents. AI algorithms help to maintain infrastructure by predicting wear and tear, allowing for proactive repairs, and reducing the risk of catastrophic failures. Government agencies are also exploring AI-powered public transportation solutions, such as autonomous buses and trains, to enhance urban mobility and reduce environmental impact.
In an increasingly sophisticated era of cyber threats, AI plays a crucial role in safeguarding government data and infrastructure. AI-driven cybersecurity systems detect and respond to threats faster than traditional methods. Machine learning algorithms identify anomalous behavior, flagging potential security breaches before they cause significant damage. By continuously learning from new data, AI systems stay ahead of emerging threats, providing robust protection for sensitive government information.
AI is also instrumental in environmental protection efforts. Government agencies use AI to monitor air and water quality, track wildlife populations, and predict natural disasters. Machine learning models analyze satellite imagery to detect deforestation, illegal mining, and other environmental violations. By harnessing AI, authorities can implement more effective conservation strategies and respond promptly to environmental hazards.
AI-driven platforms are revolutionizing the way governments interact with citizens. Virtual assistants and chatbots provide 24/7 support, answering queries and guiding users through various processes. Sentiment analysis tools gauge public opinion on policies and initiatives, enabling governments to make informed decisions. AI also facilitates more inclusive participation by translating content into multiple languages and providing accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
I do not want to sound like Chicken Little. I am too old to run around crying, “The sky is falling,” but the fact remains that the more influence and power we cede to AI, the more control it has. For those familiar with the Terminator movie franchise, think about Skynet. For those who have not seen it, we recommend it to you. You might enjoy it. If you do, pay particular attention to the evolution and function of Skynet. We are not saying that the situation will ever prevail; we cannot say that it will not. As the evolution of AI continues, it more closely approximates a sentient being. A Skynet scenario becomes a potential development. All the more reason we need to carefully regulate the development, implementation, use, and function of AI. As an aside, at CES, I discovered a company named “Sky Net.” It does make one wonder…
