Experience the CES 2025 up close | Recap #5 for Friday, 10 January

      1.     Quantum computing: The great absentee?

     2.      Technology serving education: At last!

     3.      Tell me who you are, and I’ll adapt the product

     4.      The three unusual stories of the day

CES 2025 – Between fulfilled promises and renewed expectations

CES 2025 concluded, leaving behind a mix of enthusiasm and reflection. This event, where major technological trends confirmed their dominance, also saw some key areas paradoxically absent or subdued. Once again, this global innovation gathering reminded us that technology is not just about technical feats, but above all about its real impact on our lives.

On one hand, we were thrilled to witness the emergence of concrete and inclusive solutions for education. Long sidelined, the school of tomorrow is finally taking shape, thanks to technologies that promise to erase geographical and social boundaries. This represents a major step forward, as equitable access to knowledge remains a global challenge.

On the other hand, certain absences raised questions. Quantum computing, which in recent years had been heralded as the next technological revolution, remained discreet. Announcements were timid, prospects distant, and major players tempered expectations. This was unfortunate, as artificial intelligence, omnipresent this year, could greatly benefit from the computational power that this still-embryonic technology offers.

Yet, if CES 2025 left a lasting impression, it was also thanks to the rise of hyper-personalisation. Never before have products and services sought so much to align with our habits, tastes, and needs. From health to mobility, fashion to entertainment, every innovation seemed whispered directly to the user. It is a fascinating trend, but one that reminds us of the necessary balance between hyper-personalisation and respect for personal data.

Finally, among the major announcements, CES also retained its quirky charm, reminding us that tech, beyond its economic stakes, can also surprise, amuse, and occasionally… leave us in the dark!

This 2025 edition thus leaves us with optimism tempered by vigilance. Optimism about advances that are finally becoming concrete. Vigilance about the blind spots of innovation, which can sometimes falter or go astray. More than ever, it is up to us to push tech giants to innovate boldly, but also with purpose and responsibility.

Onward to Vivatech and the next innovation milestones. Let’s continue to demand technologies that truly transform the world—for the better.

#1 | Quantum computing: The great absentee?

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 once again showcased an impressive array of innovations: omnipresent generative AI, increasingly immersive displays, and advanced autonomous vehicles. Yet, one theme left a sense of incompleteness: quantum computing. Where bold advancements and announcements were anticipated, this strategic field was conspicuously absent.

Even more concerning, the few comments on the topic were tinged with pessimism. Jensen Huang, the charismatic CEO of NVIDIA, cast a chill by stating that the real impacts of quantum computing would not be felt for another 15 to 30 years. This statement quickly rattled markets, causing significant stock drops for companies in this sector.

And yet, we eagerly await this revolution. Artificial intelligence, in all its current forms, is beginning to reveal its vast potential, but it is constrained by material limitations. Complex calculations, large-scale modeling, and optimisations impossible with classical architectures—AI is now held back by the constraints of traditional computers. Quantum computing, with its theoretical ability to solve exponential problems in the blink of an eye, represents the key to breaking through these barriers.

So why the silence? Why the excessive caution? Of course, the technological challenges are immense: qubit stability, error correction, extreme cooling, and the industrialisation of quantum processors. But innovation is born of boldness. Where other technologies receive massive media attention and support despite similar uncertainties, quantum computing risks being relegated to the rank of distant promise.

This is especially worrying as it could hinder the entire ecosystem. Fewer announcements mean less investment, fewer collaborations between startups and tech giants, and fewer synergies with fields like AI or cybersecurity.

We need quantum computing to reclaim its rightful place at major tech events like CES. Only then can we unlock AI’s true potential, solve currently unsolvable problems, and spark the next major technological revolution. 

#2 | Technology serving education: At last!

It took until 2025 for technology to truly dedicate itself to education at CES, tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time: ensuring that everyone, no matter where they are, has access to quality education.

Technologies breaking down learning barriers

At the heart of the announcements were solutions pushing the boundaries of connectivity: low-earth orbit satellites, 5G/6G infrastructure deployed in remote areas, and offline-accessible learning platforms. These innovations are no longer just futuristic concepts—they are becoming tangible realities. They envision a world where a child in an isolated village can access the same educational content as a student in a major city.

But connectivity is nothing without enriched content. Here, immersive technologies shone brightly: educational experiences in virtual and augmented reality, interactive simulators to intuitively learn sciences, history, or even foreign languages. Artificial intelligence also featured, with virtual tutors capable of adapting to each student’s pace, personalising educational paths to ensure no one is left behind.

Inclusion first: Education for all

What distinguished this year’s innovations was their resolutely inclusive focus. The solutions showcased at CES 2025 didn’t just target privileged markets. They addressed accessibility challenges: content adapted for students with disabilities, tools translated into dozens of languages, and simplified interfaces for tech-novices.

The goal is no longer to make learning “cool” for those who already have access, but to bridge educational divides on a global scale. This is where technology reveals its true power: the democratisation of knowledge.

Keeping perspective: Technology must not replace humanity

In the face of this enthusiasm, it is essential to stay grounded. Education cannot—and must not—become a depersonalised product, delivered turnkey by algorithms. Human interaction remains irreplaceable: the pedagogy, empathy, and motivation a teacher provides can never be fully replaced by AI, no matter how advanced.

Education is an exchange, a dialogue, a relationship. Technologies must remain tools to support and enrich this relationship, never to supplant it. The solutions seen at CES 2025 must integrate into balanced educational models where teachers remain central, supported but not replaced.

#3 | Tell me who you are, and I’ll adapt the product

CES 2025 spotlighted innovations centered on the hyper-personalisation of products and services. This trend aims to offer unique experiences tailored to the specific needs of each user. Here are five standout examples across various categories:

     1.      Textiles: Smart, custom-made clothing

Several companies unveiled garments with integrated sensors capable of adapting in real-time to environmental conditions and user preferences. These outfits can adjust thermal insulation, change colour, or monitor vital signs, delivering a highly personalised clothing experience.

     2.      Mobility: A personalised experience

Automakers presented vehicles with modular interiors and adaptive infotainment systems. Using artificial intelligence, these cars can recognise driver and passenger preferences, adjusting lighting, temperature, music, and even driving settings for a tailored experience.

     3.      Healthcare: personalised medical devices

In the health sector, devices were showcased to offer more meaningful experiences at an individual level. For example, mobile applications provide personalised health advice based on user data, enhancing the patient experience.

     4.      Entertainment: AI-powered personalised content

Streaming platforms and video games now integrate artificial intelligence algorithms to create immersive, customised experiences. Users receive content recommendations tailored to their preferences, offering a unique entertainment experience.

     5.      Retail: personalised shopping experiences

Retail is evolving toward greater personalisation, with custom-tailored shopping journeys. Brands use AI to design individual customer experiences, offering product recommendations and digital in-store customer recognition.

#4 | The three unusual stories of the day

Las Vegas, No. 1 for casinos

Las Vegas is globally renowned for its impressive concentration of casinos. Estimates indicate there are more than 150 casinos, making it the “world entertainment capital.”

Who turned off the lights?

In 2018, a general power outage plunged CES into darkness for nearly two hours—an ironic moment for a technology innovation event!

Today’s figure

149: The number of days until Vivatech 2025, Europe’s leading tech and innovation event!

This newsletter concludes here. Until next time, let’s innovate boldly and responsibly, with passion!

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