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The tech market in the U.S. is expected to grow a few percent in 2025 to $537 billion, so long as there isn’t a 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 at the opening session of CES 2025, the big tech trade show in Las Vegas this week. AI could drive that growth, as 93% of U.S. adults are familiar with generative AI. And 61% of U.S. adults have used an AI tool that worked.
Brian Comiskey, senior director of innovation and trends at the CTA, talked about the predictions for tech trends in front of a room full of international tech press. He noted Gen Z is about 32% of the global population now, and it is 27% of the OECD economic workforce. He said Gen Z grew up with smartphones and is the first truly digital native generation.
Comiskey said 60% of Gen Z are early adopters of tech in the U.S., based on their purchasing habits. Comiskey got on stage with Melissa Harrison, head of marketing and communications at the CTA, the trade association that puts on CES.
The CTA expects the U.S. tech market will grow 3.2% to $537 billion in 2025, up from $520 billion in 2024. But the warning is that tariffs promised by Trump could take those numbers down dramatically if the tariffs trigger a trade war. Things like laptop sales could go down as much as two-thirds if that happens, he said. Game consoles would also be dramatically affected in a negative way.
Human security is a big trend that will affect tech. That includes energy transition, including grid resilience and infrastructure. Companies are investing in nuclear power just to power the infrastructure needed to meet AI demand, Comiskey said.
He also said we’re advancing toward autonomy, for everything from aircraft to Waymo self-driving ridesharing vehicles to Mobileye sensors.
The AI retail market is expected to hit $7 billion while virtual try-on is going to be a $2 billion market. Consumers are taking to AI purchasing. about 64% have used AI tools for shopping online.
The modern enterprise is benefiting from advances in computing and AI tech. Semiconductors can only perform their best if software enables modern data infrastructure. Smart home will take advantage of the next generation of AI for products like smarter TVs. AI will help out robotic vacuums from Narwal, and improve pet care products like Pawport.
Harrison said she toured the show floor and noted that Oshkosh, which is more than 100 years old, is showing up to CES for the first time and it is “bringing it,” she said.
And the future looks promising. “If the 2020s are the intelligence decade, the 2030s will be the quantum decade,” said Comiskey.
