We live in one of the fastest high-tech evolving countries in the world. Estonia, often called the “Silicon Valley of Europe” has produced hundreds of startups and several unicorns over the past decade. Yet, what do i really see? One app chasing another. Our mailboxes overflow with offers to build apps, improve systems or launch new platforms. It feels like weŕe drifting further away from the values and emotions that make life truly worth living.

The saddest thing, I´ve observed so far is the lack of emotions and genuine willingness to give. I´m not saying there aren´t exceptions, my wonderful clients are shining examples, but the overall atmosphere feels dominated by supreficiality, self -interest and a certain shallowness in human connection.

As someone involved in sensory event design, where I combine human cognitive translation with tangible experiences, I´ve always valued real, authentic moment. How people feel in those moments matters more to me than a million-dollar app ever could. The power to make someone feel their best- that is priceless.

I am most proud that my designed booth was the only one at Latitude59 that truly had life in it. The warmth, coziness, groundedness, and comfort that people felt and sensed there made all the difference. It wasn’t just a space, it was an experience that connected with people on a human level.

Being part of that experience at Latitude59 also gave me a shift in perspective when I met someone there. They reminded me and all the high-tech creators, that without understanding human emotions and what truly matters to people, technology is meaningless. We can build the most advanced AI and apps, but if no one engages with them, if they don’t resonate on a human level, what’s the point?

This insight is echoed by renowned cognitive scientist and AI pioneer Dr. Rosalind Picard, founder of the Affective Computing Research Group at MIT. In her groundbreaking work, she emphasizes that “understanding and responding to human emotions is crucial for technology to be truly effective and meaningful.” Her research shows that AI systems designed with emotional intelligence can significantly improve user engagement and well-being.

This aligns with broader research in psychology and AI: technology should serve us, not work against us. It should add value to life, not take it away. Psychology teaches us that understanding motivation, emotion, and behavior is essential to creating technology that people actually want to use and benefit from.

I welcome new technology that enhances the human experience. But I remain cautious. As I like to say, “It’s all fine until it breaks.” We should always have a backup plan grounded in simplicity. I cherish the real—the feel, the touch, the smell, the sight of tangible things in real life—not just virtual reality.

In the end, technology’s true success lies not in innovation for innovation’s sake, but in its ability to connect with the human heart and mind. That’s where its real power and value resides.