Software-defined everything – Top CES 2025 trends from Tietoevry Create

Unsurprisingly, AI completely took over CES this year, same as in 2024. It appeared everywhere — from connected mobility technologies and consumer electronics gadgets to healthcare devices for visually impaired and AI-based solutions for early cancer detection.

This year, however, we could clearly see that AI is no longer a trend with a vague promise to change our lives, but rather a tangible reality — with phenomenal progress in new solutions enhanced with artificial intelligence. Let's dive into key trends from CES, according to Tietoevry Create experts.

AI is the new UI

AI agents are redefining the way users engage with technology. Leveraging the power of the main human communication interface — voice — AI helps us interact with devices, applications, and systems in a more natural, context-based way. This is already visible in the automotive industry, where existing voice assistants are enhanced with Gen AI solutions like ChatGPT or Google Automotive AI Agent to provide passengers and drivers with smooth experience with vehicle infotainment systems. To bring the vehicle cabin environment to an even higher level, Harman, one of the prominent automotive Tier 1 suppliers, revealed the “new emotionally intelligent AI system” Luna that aims to customize occupants’ experiences through the power of voice and immersive visuals on a windshield screen. The goal is to create an “intuitive bond” between people and technology by blurring the lines of human-machine interaction.

These are only two examples of something we can consider as “automotive intelligence” — where the newest advancements in AI and Generative AI are implemented to redefine the way we interact with different modes of transportation.

Artificial intelligence-based solutions were also omnipresent in a variety of consumer electronics products. Two major companies, Samsung and LG, showcased how smart TVs can be enhanced with large language models (LLMs) with the introduction of the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant. Just like remote controls got a dedicated Netflix button after the rise of streaming, we can expect to have a separate button to quickly access AI features on our smart TVs.

The next AI step — from the cloud to the edge

The increasing significance and adoption of edge AI solutions became evident throughout various keynotes and panel discussions. This trend highlights the shift in our approach to AI implementation and the technology behind it — processing power is moving closer to the data source, the device itself thanks to growing computation capabilities and powerful NPUs.

In this article we refer to edge solutions as to any device that operates in direct interaction with the user, such as smartphones and smart tablets, as well as those that serve an indirect role, like Wi-Fi access points or enterprise servers.

But why is there a need for edge AI solutions if we have an abundance of cloud-based technologies to use? As good as cloud is, it doesn’t always meet the requirements of real-time AI solutions. For example, latency issues may occur — processing data gathered at the edge (device) in the cloud and sending back the results (actions) requires time and resources, as well as reliable and fast connectivity. In the case of automotive solutions, we cannot rely on connectivity for safety-related features, so if we want to leverage AI, we need to deploy it on the edge. This approach ensures more reliable and immediate responses for critical systems.

Yet another key reason for moving to the edge are growing privacy and security issues, both on the consumer and enterprise level. 57% of consumers globally consider AI a threat to their privacy. Key industry players aim to mitigate security risks and address these concerns. For example, Qualcomm introduced On-Perm AI Appliance Solution with regards to a company’s information confidentiality.

However, the main issue is the amount and quality of data gathered by our devices and systems. Processed by AI agents, it can provide very personal insights of exceptional value, which raises the question: do users really want to share such sensitive data with cloud and solution providers, or are they content to keep everything "on the edge" (on their devices)?

Additionally, edge AI can bring us flexibility and anytime-anywhere access to solutions even without an internet connection, like during a flight. We might still be interested in leveraging the power of AI to make the long trip to CES 2026 more pleasant or productive.

The (r)evolution of software-defined vehicles

The automotive industry is undergoing a tremendous shift and is navigating through choppy waters to the promised land of software-defined revenue streams. Despite the industry challenges, automotive innovation, vehicle tech, and connected mobility continued to drive (no pun intended) discussions in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. However, this year it’s more about maturity, iterative evolution than revolution.

A significant focus within the industry revolves around accelerating the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and streamlining the efforts to shorten time to market. With the growing number of innovative features and cutting-edge technologies in vehicles, the complexity of automotive platforms is rapidly escalating. To tackle the arising challenges, the automotive industry follows the path of consolidation, approached from different directions:

• Technological consolidation is achieved through zonal architecture and central, high-performance computers and solutions — like QNX Cabin that consolidates various in-vehicle systems into a unified cockpit domain. It also relies on cloud-based virtual toolchain and infrastructure to speed up software development process. AWS plays the leading role in this endeavor helping automotive leaders to create virtual development environments that promise shorter time-to-market.
• Organizational consolidation is driven by forming strategic partnerships across the entire supply and value chain. Qualcomm announced numerous automotive partnerships, including AWS cooperation to accelerate integration of AI in vehicles. Other companies like QNX, Vector, and TTTech confirmed collaboration to develop and market a foundational vehicle software platform. Many more partnerships announcements were revealed this year.

Another major trend that crystallized at CES 2025 automotive is more immersive multimedia experience for drivers and passengers. Car producers, automotive software and service suppliers presented advancements in AI-enhanced digital cockpit solutions. While the prevalence of screens with applications and streaming content is nothing new, it's time for more pillar-to-pillar screens to emerge. BMW's Panoramic iDrive, which aims to improve safety by displaying real-time alerts on the windshield display, serves as a prime example. Hyundai Mobis presented an innovative holographic windshield head-up screen, while Garmin showcased Unified Cabin with a total of six screens, fully customizable with the power of generative artificial intelligence.

While AI can help with enhancing immersive, digital, multimedia cabin experience, it can also be used to greatly improve drivers and passengers’ safety. LG unveiled its AI in Vehicle Experience, a new AI application that includes a driver monitoring system and an interior monitoring system. With this in place, it enables features like real-time driver condition tracking, including facial expression and driver alertness assessment.

Autonomy, agriculture, robotics, and sustainability for a better tomorrow

When discussing autonomous driving, we often imagine self-driving vehicles on the streets with various levels of autonomy. Yet, CES highlights that the concept of autonomy extends far beyond just cars, influencing the future of mobility and other sectors. The automotive “true eyes off driving experience” was the hot topic as always, with Honda 0 series concept enabling Level 3 autonomy. However, other industries, particularly agriculture, are also making notable advancements in this area. Unlike the automotive sector, agriculture faces fewer legal, safety, and infrastructure challenges, allowing for more straightforward progress. John Deere in their exhibition space showed that the future of agriculture will be founded on autonomous driving solutions, leveraging technological advancements to increase machines capabilities. Robotics and autonomous solutions will shape the farming and agriculture industry.

The advancements revealed in the robotics area also confirm that with AI-powered capabilities creating human-like interactions are just around the corner. We already have “social robots,” like Realbotix Robot or the Unitree G1 model designed to help with various tasks and daily, mundane activities. Robotics technologies will shape our reality with a wide range of applications, from house aid robots and automated customer service in a face-to-face setting, to autonomous robots capable of working in a controlled environment with minimum supervision, like in a warehouse – Foxconn and UBTECH announced partnership to integrate humanoid robots into manufacturing process to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Technology plays a pivotal role in creating solutions for a better future. That’s why at CES innovation and sustainability goes hand in hand taking the stage with interesting “soil tech” ideas. While the electrification in the mobility sector is driven by the need for efficient batteries, industry is trying to address the need for more sustainable solutions in this domain. Agriculture is struggling not only with efficient operations, e.g. harvesting, but also with fallouts of commercial farming, like soil degradation. That’s why solutions like paper-based batteries (Flint), carbon-filtering “trees”, and drained soil regenerative solutions hope to address natural and environmental challenges.

The future ahead of us – AI enhanced experiences

CES 2025 serves as evidence of the pivotal role of AI and GenAI in shaping digital experiences. This event reinforces our understanding that AI will significantly impact various aspects of everyday lives, and that this technology will remain the industry's focal point for years to come. As we move forward, the integration of AI in more technologies promises to transform industries and help solve crucial challenges — from speeding up the software development process and reducing time to market to creating innovative services based on advanced data analytics and beyond.

For that reason, what we will see next year is more integration of AI-based solutions in various products and services across different businesses. We might expect more artificial intelligence enhancements in:

• automotive with a focus on delivering more personalized, immersive in-cabin experiences and virtual development environments for OEMs and suppliers;
• smart factory — leveraging AI solutions and the potential of digital twins for data-driven operations, boosting efficiency and reducing costs;
• healthcare — innovative care and diagnostics products and more advanced disease detection systems;
• and many more, as described in this article.

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