The future of technology: U.S. Bank Innovation team gathers insights at CES 2025

The U.S. Bank team explored emerging trends and technology that can impact the future of banking

After spending several days immersed in the latest technology advancements from around the world, members of the U.S. Bank Innovation team brought back insights about what financial services might look like in the future.

U.S. Bank once again kicked off the year by sending an Innovation cohort to CES – formerly called the Consumer Electronics Show – the consumer technology event where global companies unveil their newest innovations and tech breakthroughs. With more than 4,300 exhibitors across dozens of industries, including 1,400 start-ups, CES helps the bank’s efforts to stay on the leading edge of where tech is headed and what clients will need and expect – today, tomorrow and years from now.

Led by chief innovation officer Don Relyea and head of applied foresights Todder Moning, the team explored advancements that could shape the future of consumer technology and where it intersects with banking, payments and ecommerce.

“As consumer interactions become increasingly digital across all industries, continuous innovation allows U.S. Bank to create new possibilities for our clients that make their financial lives simpler and more convenient,” Relyea said. “We believe that financial transactions of the future will get smarter, more seamless and hyper-personalized. And that’s already happening.”

Innovation highlights

While the team saw miles upon miles of new and emerging technology and trends, a few of the biggest themes at this year’s show were robotics, automation, sustainable energy and, of course, artificial intelligence – which was everywhere and in everything, from cat litter boxes and grills to retail stores and enterprise fraud solutions.

“Robots have always had a place at CES, and self-driving vehicles are effectively a robot,” Moning said. “This year’s robotics solutions were designed to be more multifunctional and able to interact with humans on a wider spectrum of tasks – including home management, commercial/industrial uses and companionship. The interplay between robotics and AI is a very interesting development.”

Sustainable energy was especially strong this year, with advanced battery tech, next-generation smart charging for industrial and personal use, and electric vehicles of all varieties. Biodegradable battery tech – with batteries made from biodegradable paper – were noteworthy. Their first use case? Being packed onto satellites and sent into outer space.

“It’s clear that consumers are beginning to use AI assistants and bots in their lives, and the evolution of this will be more functional AI agents that can take permissioned actions on their behalf,” Relyea said. “This trend should eventually raise the bar for consumer expectations as people become more exposed and comfortable with the technology.”

There was no shortage of things to see in other areas – with scores of demos in autonomy, spatial computing and extended reality, mobility, accessibility, wearables, sensors and more.

“If you want to surprise your dog with a 20-minute automated dog washing machine, similar to an automated car wash, that was an option too,” Relyea said.

What it means for the future

The overarching takeaway was that as technology continues to rapidly advance, it will become a constant in the background of our lives – adaptive, accessible and ambient. And U.S. Bank will be there, meeting clients’ needs in the way that works best for them, Relyea said.

Watch the video above to see some of the coolest innovations the team uncovered at CES 2025.