Technology and Finance

Levelling Up Competitive Gaming ESCS Is Giving Power Back to Players and Creators By Desk Reporter I magine being able to invite friends to a tournament and start competing in minutes without needing a tech team or massive infrastructure. That’s exactly the experience ESCS is delivering to game developers and players alike. At the heart of the platform is a simple idea: make social and competitive play seamless, viral, and rewarding. ESCS enables developers to plug in full-featured tournaments, real-money play, social invites, and rewards within just 15 minutes using their SDK. But the journey didn’t begin with tech; it began with passion. The founding team set out to make “play with me” more than a casual invite.  They wanted it to mean something. As they listened to game developers, they uncovered a broader challenge an inefficient, outdated system of game distribution that was missing out on billions in community-powered engagement. With feedback in hand, ESCS grew into a powerful platform focused on retention, monetization, and virality. It became a creator-powered engine where developers and influencers alike could build active gaming communities and monetize them fairly.  Being named a Unity Verified Solution has only added to the platform’s momentum. This recognition put ESCS in an elite league of global partners and validated its performance, security, and usability. For developers, this kind of endorsement brings confidence. For the ESCS team, it brought the fuel needed to expand faster and deeper into the gaming ecosystem.  The platform’s flexibility is key. Developers can choose which features to activate whether it’s traditional tournaments, entry-fee challenges, or shareable revenue models. All of this is built with fairness and compliance at its core. Secure backend validation ensures every tournament result is real, while AI-powered anti-cheat tools protect gameplay integrity. Players, creators, and studios all benefit from transparent revenue sharing and an ecosystem built for trust. But ESCS isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about community.  Their social layer ESCS Clubs, brings players together in real-time, wherever they already are: on websites, inside games, or even in Discord. With chat, streaming, leaderboards, and direct challenges, these digital clubs turn passive audiences into active players. The results? A dramatic boost in engagement, session time, and tournament participation. The company’s momentum is also reflected in its funding strategy. With backing from industry veterans and a clear growth engine in place, ESCS is currently raising a $2.5 million seed round to scale toward 10 million monthly active users.  The model is designed to be capital-efficient and fueled by network effects where each new creator or game increases the platform’s value exponentially. Looking ahead, ESCS is already planning its next leap: connecting games to blockchain rewards and digital ownership. Their vision is to let players own their achievements, history, and even tournament moments securely stored on-chain.  Whether it’s NFT-based rewards or community-owned Clubs, ESCS sees a future where players are more than participants; they’re stakeholders in the gaming world they help create. At the center of it all is Ewgeniy Oganian, the founder and CEO of ESCS. With a background in mathematics and a deep love for gaming, he brings both technical expertise and creative vision.  Ewgeniy’s mission is simple: to turn the act of playing a game into a social, monetizable, and shareable experience. In the next few years, ESCS doesn’t just want to support games it wants to be the infrastructure behind them.  From massive global tournaments to indie creators launching their first community challenges, the platform is laying the groundwork for a new era of distribution one powered not by platforms, but by people.

Vanessa Kingori A Trailblazer in Media & Tech By Peter Davis Vanessa Kingori OBE is a name that echoes influence, innovation, and integrity across industries. As the Managing Director at Google for Technology, Media, and Telecoms, she stands at the forefront of a digital revolution, leading with clarity and purpose. Her journey, which spans publishing, fashion, and now technology, reflects a deep commitment to transformation, storytelling, and equity. Born in Kenya and raised in the UK, Vanessa’s perspective is deeply global. Her early fascination with storytelling led her into the world of publishing where she rapidly rose through the ranks. She became a historic figure at British Vogue when she was appointed as the first woman and first person of color to serve as Publishing Director in the magazine’s 100-year history. Later, she became Chief Business Officer at Condé Nast, overseeing some of the most iconic titles in global media. Her leadership helped reshape the business models of legacy publications and ensured they remained relevant in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Vanessa’s time at British Vogue was particularly pivotal. Working alongside Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, she helped usher in a new era for the magazine, one that celebrated diversity and authenticity. Under their leadership, Vogue covers began to reflect a broader spectrum of beauty, power, and culture. More than just images on glossy pages, their work shifted conversations around representation in fashion, publishing, and beyond. Her influence at Condé Nast expanded across brands, where she championed inclusive hiring, equitable pay, and modern, audience-focused business strategies. The move to Google was not a departure from her purpose, but a natural evolution. At Google, Vanessa has brought her media expertise and passion for innovation into a realm where technology amplifies stories and scales ideas to reach billions. She understands that in today’s digital age, technology is not just a tool, but a powerful cultural force. Her role at Google allows her to partner with global clients, helping them navigate transformation with intention and creativity. Throughout her career, Vanessa has led with strong values. Integrity, empathy, and intentionality are at the core of her leadership style. She believes that leadership is a service, one that is less about authority and more about creating environments where people feel empowered to thrive. Her ability to lead high-performing teams while staying grounded in authenticity has earned her admiration across industries. Vanessa’s commitment to diversity is not a side project, but a central pillar of her work. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating spaces where she was often the only person of color, she has consistently worked to open doors for others.  From boardroom decisions to mentorship programs, she advocates for systemic change that benefits underrepresented voices. Her efforts have proven that inclusivity and business excellence are not mutually exclusive, but deeply intertwined. Recognition for her work came in 2016 when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the media industry. The honor was a milestone, not only for her personally but for the countless individuals she has inspired along the way. It symbolized the impact of her leadership and the growing recognition that the future of business lies in diversity, innovation, and purpose. Balancing high-pressure roles with well-being is something Vanessa takes seriously. She values boundaries, reflection, and sustainability in her work ethic. She openly speaks about the importance of rest, family, and mental clarity as tools for better decision-making. For her, leadership is not just about output, but about longevity and quality. Her approach to social media is equally thoughtful. She uses platforms like Instagram not only to share professional highlights, but also personal reflections and joyful moments. Her digital presence blends elegance, intelligence, and honesty, offering a multidimensional view of leadership. In doing so, she dismantles outdated notions of what success should look like and encourages a new generation to lead on their own terms. Vanessa is not only a business leader, but also a mentor, a storyteller, and a builder of legacies.  She is actively involved in initiatives to support underrepresented talent in both media and technology. Her focus remains on creating impact, whether that is through mentoring young professionals, shaping the future of digital communication, or advising global brands on responsible innovation. For Vanessa, success is not merely a personal milestone, but a shared experience. It is about lifting others as she rises, using her platform to amplify marginalized voices, and building systems that are more just, dynamic, and inclusive. Her story is one of vision and resilience, but also one of community and collaboration. From the pages of Vogue to the algorithms of Google, Vanessa Kingori OBE has carved out a space that is bold, necessary, and deeply influential. Her legacy is not just one of firsts, but of lasting change. And as she continues to lead across industries, one thing remains clear — her work is far from over. She is not simply navigating the future, she is shaping it.

Deepak Chopra Merging Consciousness and Code in the Age of AI By Peter Davis In a world increasingly dominated by technology, few voices bridge the realms of science and spirit as elegantly as Deepak Chopra. With over 3.1 million followers on Instagram, 95 published books, and a lifelong commitment to wellness, Chopra has spent decades guiding global audiences toward inner peace and holistic well-being. His latest work, Digital Dharma, ventures boldly into the digital frontier, exploring how artificial intelligence can expand our spiritual potential rather than diminish it. From founding CyberhumanAI to leading global conversations through the Sages & Scientists network, Chopra remains at the forefront of innovation, grounded in timeless wisdom. Deepak Chopra’s journey into the world of artificial intelligence began with curiosity, sparked during a conversation with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. What started as cautious questioning soon evolved into a deep exploration: could AI become a partner in healing humanity? Could it deepen consciousness, encourage reflection, and amplify well-being? These questions form the foundation of Digital Dharma, Chopra’s groundbreaking guide on integrating AI with spiritual growth. Unlike traditional tech narratives, Chopra’s vision is rooted in consciousness. In his view, AI is not merely a machine-learning tool; it’s a mirror, a prompt for self-inquiry, a nonjudgmental presence that, if used wisely, can illuminate the inner world. In Digital Dharma, he presents seven pathways, love, abundance, creativity, awareness, connection, cosmic consciousness, and transcendence, that guide readers through the digital landscape with intention and grace. His daily practice reflects the discipline that fuels his creative output. Despite his digital endeavors, Chopra remains anchored in ancient traditions, dedicating 4 to 5 hours a day to meditation and yoga. This blend of inner silence and outer innovation shapes his life and his message. “I am perpetually happy,” he says, pointing to his spiritual routine as the foundation for a stress-free existence. He has no boredom, no resistance, only flow. Chopra’s writing process, much like his worldview, embraces both simplicity and sophistication. Each night, he reflects and prays for a new idea. If one arrives, he films a short video on the topic, later transcribed and edited into a manuscript. It’s a streamlined, digitally enhanced system, an appropriate methodology for a book about technology’s role in elevating human experience. Through his work with CyberhumanAI, Chopra is developing tools that harness AI to personalize wellness. Meanwhile, the Sages & Scientists Symposium, an annual gathering of thought leaders from technology, medicine, philosophy, and art, serves as a crucible for new ideas that harmonize scientific innovation with spiritual insight. Chopra’s initiatives seek not just to understand AI, but to humanize it. In therapy, Chopra notes, AI has already proven its worth. He once collaborated on a chatbot designed for teens in emotional distress. The results were promising, users felt comfortable opening up to an AI that lacked judgment or agenda. This, he believes, shows the compassionate potential of digital tools, provided they are developed and monitored with ethical care. Despite his global recognition, Chopra resists labels like “guru.” Instead, he sees himself as a mirror, someone who reflects back to people what already exists within them. This philosophy underscores his commitment to empowering others through presence, awareness, and inquiry rather than prescribing rigid ideologies. His view of the future is clear: technology and spirituality must evolve together. Chopra envisions a world where AI enhances, not replaces, human connection, creativity, and compassion. In his own words, “We stand at a fork in the road. AI can accelerate separation or deepen unity. Digital Dharma is the roadmap for choosing the latter.” In Digital Dharma, Deepak Chopra offers more than a manual for navigating the future, he offers a vision. It is a call to integrate the spiritual and the digital, the eternal and the innovative. As he merges ancient wisdom with artificial intelligence, Chopra continues to expand what it means to be human in the 21st century. His message is simple but powerful: with consciousness and intention, we can shape a future where technology supports our deepest quest—not just for knowledge, but for meaning, joy, and inner peace.

Nicolò Santin Pioneering Purpose-Driven Gaming in the Digital Age By Peter Davis In an era where technology and social impact increasingly intersect, Nicolò Santin stands out as a visionary entrepreneur who has seamlessly blended entertainment with altruism. As the CEO and co-founder of Gamindo, Santin has harnessed the power of gaming to facilitate charitable giving, redefining how brands engage with audiences and contribute to societal good. Santin’s journey began in Paese, a small town in Italy, where his early fascination with video games laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Pursuing a degree in International Management at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, he delved into the concept of advergaming—video games created for advertising purposes. His thesis, a comprehensive 700-page study, explored how gaming could be leveraged for brand promotion and social engagement. This academic exploration sparked the idea for Gamindo, a platform where users could donate to charity simply by playing branded video games. Founded in 2019 alongside co-founder Matteo Albrizio, Gamindo emerged as a unique fusion of gaming and philanthropy. The platform allows companies to commission custom games that promote their brand while enabling players to earn tokens convertible into charitable donations. This innovative approach has attracted collaborations with major brands such as Coca-Cola, Barilla, Lavazza, and Google, showcasing the platform’s versatility and appeal. Gamindo’s impact extends beyond brand engagement. The company has received accolades including the National Innovation Award in ICT and the European Commission’s Seal of Excellence. Participation in the Plug and Play accelerator program in Silicon Valley further validated Gamindo’s potential on the global stage. Recognizing the power of digital presence, Santin has adeptly utilized LinkedIn to amplify Gamindo’s mission.  By sharing engaging content, including creative GIFs and insights into the startup journey, he has cultivated a following of over 90,000 professionals. This strategic use of social media has not only increased brand visibility but also attracted clients and team members, demonstrating the efficacy of personal branding in business development. Santin’s entrepreneurial path has been marked by resourcefulness and determination. From conducting thesis research by creatively soliciting survey responses to navigating the challenges of launching a startup, he has consistently demonstrated a proactive and solution-oriented mindset. His experiences underscore the importance of adaptability and perseverance in the face of obstacles. With a foundation rooted in innovation and social impact, Santin envisions expanding Gamindo’s reach into new markets and exploring emerging technologies such as the metaverse and Web3. By staying attuned to technological advancements and consumer trends, he aims to further integrate gaming with meaningful societal contributions. Nicolò Santin’s work with Gamindo exemplifies how entrepreneurial ventures can transcend traditional business models to effect positive change. By aligning entertainment with philanthropy, he has created a platform that not only entertains but also empowers users to contribute to causes they care about. Santin’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to the potential of combining innovation, passion, and purpose in the digital age.

The Rise of Emotion Tech Can Devices Really Understand Feelings? By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili In an era where technology constantly redefines the boundaries of human experience, a new frontier is rapidly gaining ground, Emotion Tech. Once the stuff of science fiction, devices that can interpret, respond to, and even anticipate human emotions are beginning to find their place in everyday life. From AI-powered mental health apps to emotion-sensing wearables, technology’s ability to “understand” feelings is no longer a far-off dream, it’s happening now. But as Emotion Tech rises, a deeper question emerges, Can machines genuinely understand emotions, or are they simply learning to mimic human empathy? What is Emotion Tech? Emotion Tech, short for emotional technology, encompasses a range of tools and systems designed to detect and respond to human emotions. It relies heavily on biometric data, such as heart rate, skin conductivity, facial expressions, tone of voice, and even word choice, to gauge how a person is feeling. Machine learning algorithms then interpret these signals to determine emotional states like happiness, sadness, anger, or anxiety. Some of the most common applications of Emotion Tech today include AI mental health apps that offer mood tracking and therapy-like conversations, customer service bots that adapt their responses based on a caller’s frustration levels, and wearable devices that monitor emotional wellbeing through physiological changes. Even major tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon are investing heavily in this field, envisioning a future where devices will be emotionally intelligent companions. The Science Behind Emotional Recognition Human emotions are complex and often difficult to quantify. However, researchers have found that certain physiological and behavioral cues can offer reliable windows into our emotional states. For example, a faster heartbeat and sweaty palms may indicate anxiety, while smiling and relaxed muscles might suggest happiness. Advanced Emotion Tech combines several techniques to read these cues. Facial recognition software can analyze micro-expressions, fleeting, involuntary facial movements, to detect emotions that a person may not even consciously express. Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools analyze spoken or written language for sentiment, word patterns, and tone. Meanwhile, biometric sensors in wearables track physical signs that correlate with emotional states. When these various data streams are combined and processed through sophisticated algorithms, devices can build a fairly accurate picture of how a user feels, at least on the surface. The Promise of Emotion Tech The potential applications of Emotion Tech are vast and varied. In healthcare, emotion-aware devices could revolutionize mental health treatment by offering real-time monitoring and early intervention for conditions like depression and anxiety.  For instance, an app could detect the signs of a depressive episode days before it fully manifests, allowing for timely support. In education, emotion-sensing tools could help teachers understand when students are confused or frustrated, tailoring lessons in response. In customer service, bots could de-escalate tense situations by adapting their tone and language to soothe upset customers. Even in entertainment, Emotion Tech could personalize content, recommending movies or music based on a user’s mood. For those dealing with social isolation or emotional difficulties, devices capable of detecting and responding to feelings might offer a comforting sense of being “seen” and “heard,” even if by a machine. But Can Machines Truly “Understand”? Despite these exciting possibilities, there’s a crucial philosophical and technical distinction to be made, interpreting signals is not the same as understanding emotions. Machines do not “feel” in the way humans do. They analyze inputs and generate outputs based on pre-programmed patterns and learned data, but they lack consciousness, empathy, and subjective experience. In other words, while a device may recognize that you are sad based on your voice trembling and your words slowing down, it does not “feel” sadness with you. It simply knows that, statistically, these cues often correlate with sadness. Some critics argue that calling this “understanding” is misleading. True emotional understanding requires shared human experience, cultural context, and an intuitive grasp of nuances that go beyond data points. Technology, no matter how advanced, processes emotions through a mechanical lens, devoid of the rich inner life that defines human feeling. Ethical and Privacy Concerns As with any rapidly advancing technology, the rise of Emotion Tech brings significant ethical concerns. One of the most pressing is privacy. Emotion data is deeply personal. When companies collect information about how we feel, sometimes without our explicit consent, it opens up serious questions about surveillance, data security, and exploitation. For instance, could an insurance company deny coverage based on emotional instability detected by an app? Could advertisers manipulate consumers more effectively by targeting them during moments of vulnerability? Without stringent regulations, the misuse of emotional data could become a major societal issue. There’s also the danger of over-reliance. If people start turning to machines for emotional support rather than human beings, could it lead to greater isolation in the long term? Could technology, ironically, weaken our natural emotional intelligence skills? The Road Ahead Emotion Tech is still in its early stages, and while it holds incredible promise, it also demands careful, ethical development. Developers and policymakers must prioritize transparency, consent, and security as they shape this new landscape. Users must be educated about the limitations of these devices, understanding that while machines can simulate emotional understanding, they cannot replace human connection. Ultimately, the most powerful role Emotion Tech might play is not to replace human empathy, but to augment it. By offering tools that help us better understand ourselves and each other, technology can support mental health, enhance communication, and create richer, more compassionate interactions. But it should always be clear, real emotions belong to humans, and no machine, no matter how smart, can truly feel them.  

The World’s First Smart Contact Lenses A Revolutionary Leap in Wearable Tech By Afef Yousfi In the ever-evolving world of wearable technology, one innovation is set to redefine how we interact with digital information, healthcare, and augmented reality: smart contact lenses. Unlike traditional lenses that merely correct vision, these advanced optical devices integrate cutting-edge microelectronics to enhance human capabilities, offering real-time data monitoring, health tracking, and immersive AR experiences. Smart contact lenses are designed with ultra-thin, flexible materials embedded with microchips, sensors, and wireless connectivity. By seamlessly blending technology with vision correction, these lenses can project digital displays directly onto the retina, measure vital health metrics, and even allow users to interact with devices through eye movements. Leading the charge in this technological revolution are several pioneering companies and research institutions. Mojo Vision, a U.S.-based innovator, has developed Mojo Lens, which features a micro-LED display smaller than a grain of sand, enabling users to access digital information without needing a phone or glasses. Innovega has introduced iOptik lenses, designed to integrate with AR glasses for a seamless mixed-reality experience. Meanwhile, tech giants like Samsung and Google have filed patents for smart lenses equipped with cameras and sensors, envisioning a future where digital content is projected directly onto the human eye. Additionally, Sony and Johnson & Johnson are exploring applications for biometric tracking and medical advancements. These lenses function through a combination of micro-LED displays, wireless connectivity, biometric sensors, and eye-movement control. By utilizing these technologies, smart contact lenses offer a range of transformative applications. In healthcare, they could revolutionize diabetes management by monitoring glucose levels through tear fluid analysis, help detect glaucoma through pressure-sensitive tracking, and even deliver medication directly into the eye.  Beyond medical use, smart lenses have the potential to reshape augmented and virtual reality, enabling users to receive real-time navigation, translations, and notifications right in their line of sight. Gamers, military personnel, and professionals requiring hands-free digital interaction could greatly benefit from this technology. For everyday convenience, users could experience live translations during conversations, receive instant notifications without glancing at a screen, and control smart devices with simple eye movements. Despite their promising potential, smart contact lenses come with challenges and ethical concerns. Privacy risks are a major consideration, as built-in cameras and sensors could lead to unauthorized surveillance. Additionally, the long-term health effects of having electronics embedded in the eye remain under study. Regulatory approval is another hurdle, requiring governments to establish safety standards and legal guidelines for this emerging technology. As battery efficiency, wireless communication, and miniaturization continue to advance, fully functional smart lenses could become mainstream within the next decade. Some experts predict that these lenses might even replace smartphones as the next major evolution in human-technology interaction. While hurdles remain, one thing is clear: the future of smart contact lenses is bright, bringing us closer to a world where digital and physical realities seamlessly merge. Would you embrace this innovation and integrate smart contact lenses into your daily life?