AWE 2025: Top 3 AR & VR Trends from IDC Analyst Lewis Ward
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June 25, 2025
The Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025 gave us a glimpse into the future of technology, and the overall sentiment is decidedly upbeat. But what are the key trends driving the industry forward? We sat down with IDC's Gaming, AR/VR analyst Lewis Ward to get his expert insights. While our full video interview has the deep dive, here are the top takeaways you need to know about the future of augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI.
Takeaway 1: AI Needs XR to Understand Our World
One of the most powerful narratives coming out of AWE is the crucial link between Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality (XR). Lewis Ward notes that as AI agents and autonomous robots become more integrated into our daily lives, they will need XR to act as their "eyes," using computer vision to understand human context. "The way that these AI entities... are going to understand our world... is gonna be done through XR," Ward stated. This synergy is seen as essential for AI to achieve its long-term goals over the next decade.
Takeaway 2: Businesses are Adopting VR for Real-World Savings
While the fusion of AI and XR is a future vision, businesses are already using virtual reality for practical applications today. According to Ward, enterprises are deploying XR headsets for two main purposes:
Collaborative 3D Design: Headsets like the Apple Vision Pro are being used for professional design work, allowing teams to collaborate on CAD files. This includes the ability for a remote expert to share a simultaneous view of a 3D model with a field worker.
Cost-Effective Training: The Meta Quest is being widely used for employee training. It allows companies to create immersive simulations of expensive industrial machinery, letting trainees build muscle memory without the cost or risk of using the real equipment.
Takeaway 3: The Race to Create a 3D Digital Twin of Earth is On
A major underlying trend at AWE is the race to build highly accurate, 3D maps of the entire physical world. Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Niantic are leading the charge in mapping public spaces. However, Ward highlighted a different approach from companies like Auki Labs for private, commercial spaces. They argue that enterprises will want to control access to their proprietary location data, like the inside of a Walmart. This will enable future technologies like autonomous robots that can access a store's local map to find and purchase items for you.
Watch the Full Interview for More
These key takeaways only scratch the surface of the innovation on display at AWE 2025. To see demos of the latest VR games, get a look at next-generation AR glasses, and hear Lewis Ward's full, in-depth analysis of the AR/VR industry, be sure to watch our complete video interview.
Takeaway 1: AI Needs XR to Understand Our World
One of the most powerful narratives coming out of AWE is the crucial link between Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality (XR). Lewis Ward notes that as AI agents and autonomous robots become more integrated into our daily lives, they will need XR to act as their "eyes," using computer vision to understand human context. "The way that these AI entities... are going to understand our world... is gonna be done through XR," Ward stated. This synergy is seen as essential for AI to achieve its long-term goals over the next decade.
Takeaway 2: Businesses are Adopting VR for Real-World Savings
While the fusion of AI and XR is a future vision, businesses are already using virtual reality for practical applications today. According to Ward, enterprises are deploying XR headsets for two main purposes:
Collaborative 3D Design: Headsets like the Apple Vision Pro are being used for professional design work, allowing teams to collaborate on CAD files. This includes the ability for a remote expert to share a simultaneous view of a 3D model with a field worker.
Cost-Effective Training: The Meta Quest is being widely used for employee training. It allows companies to create immersive simulations of expensive industrial machinery, letting trainees build muscle memory without the cost or risk of using the real equipment.
Takeaway 3: The Race to Create a 3D Digital Twin of Earth is On
A major underlying trend at AWE is the race to build highly accurate, 3D maps of the entire physical world. Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Niantic are leading the charge in mapping public spaces. However, Ward highlighted a different approach from companies like Auki Labs for private, commercial spaces. They argue that enterprises will want to control access to their proprietary location data, like the inside of a Walmart. This will enable future technologies like autonomous robots that can access a store's local map to find and purchase items for you.
Watch the Full Interview for More
These key takeaways only scratch the surface of the innovation on display at AWE 2025. To see demos of the latest VR games, get a look at next-generation AR glasses, and hear Lewis Ward's full, in-depth analysis of the AR/VR industry, be sure to watch our complete video interview.
Takeaway 1: AI Needs XR to Understand Our World
One of the most powerful narratives coming out of AWE is the crucial link between Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality (XR). Lewis Ward notes that as AI agents and autonomous robots become more integrated into our daily lives, they will need XR to act as their "eyes," using computer vision to understand human context. "The way that these AI entities... are going to understand our world... is gonna be done through XR," Ward stated. This synergy is seen as essential for AI to achieve its long-term goals over the next decade.
Takeaway 2: Businesses are Adopting VR for Real-World Savings
While the fusion of AI and XR is a future vision, businesses are already using virtual reality for practical applications today. According to Ward, enterprises are deploying XR headsets for two main purposes:
Collaborative 3D Design: Headsets like the Apple Vision Pro are being used for professional design work, allowing teams to collaborate on CAD files. This includes the ability for a remote expert to share a simultaneous view of a 3D model with a field worker.
Cost-Effective Training: The Meta Quest is being widely used for employee training. It allows companies to create immersive simulations of expensive industrial machinery, letting trainees build muscle memory without the cost or risk of using the real equipment.
Takeaway 3: The Race to Create a 3D Digital Twin of Earth is On
A major underlying trend at AWE is the race to build highly accurate, 3D maps of the entire physical world. Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Niantic are leading the charge in mapping public spaces. However, Ward highlighted a different approach from companies like Auki Labs for private, commercial spaces. They argue that enterprises will want to control access to their proprietary location data, like the inside of a Walmart. This will enable future technologies like autonomous robots that can access a store's local map to find and purchase items for you.
Watch the Full Interview for More
These key takeaways only scratch the surface of the innovation on display at AWE 2025. To see demos of the latest VR games, get a look at next-generation AR glasses, and hear Lewis Ward's full, in-depth analysis of the AR/VR industry, be sure to watch our complete video interview.
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