The “Smart Life” program on February 18, 2026, highlighted three technological developments reshaping the relationship between humans and technology.
Apple invested between $1.5 and $2 billion to acquire Israeli startup QAI, which developed “silent speech” technology that converts subtle brain signals to facial muscles into digital commands via infrared cameras.
Apple is also secretly developing a wearable device the size of an AirTag, equipped with two cameras and three microphones, integrated with Siri and Apple Intelligence. Launch is expected in 2027 with production plans of 20 million units.
Meanwhile, Europe is undergoing a digital shift: after Microsoft deleted the email account of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, the court abandoned Microsoft Office entirely. France migrated 5.7 million employees to independent European platforms.
French company Mistral AI raised €1.7 billion, while France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands established a joint digital entity with €10 billion in investments through 2027. Yet Europe still imports over 70% of its digital technologies, leaving the real challenge in building independent infrastructure.
Sources – Agencies
