People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and p...

People are increasingly feeling as though generative AI isn’t just a fad but rather will become a part of their daily lives – even if they don’t fully trust it. While generally cautious about the technology, a desire remains for the automation and simplification of everyday tasks AI can provide.

An AI-rendered fashion show showcasing elderly African models is gaining attention for challenging the cultural hegemony around beauty and ageing in fashion. The project is also highlighting the disruptive potential of AI through democratising access to creative industries.

Amid a growing care crisis for older adults in the US, Aeolus Robotics is on a mission to transform the future of healthcare through automation. Aeo is a multifunctional robot designed to take the weight off human caregivers by automating at-home support and giving relatives peace of mind.

There is no substitute for therapeutic care or the love of close friends and family at a sorrowful time. But digital innovations like AI therapy bots, after-loss software, and even video games are attempting to bridge the gap between the support we need and that which is accessible.