Goosebumps #1
This is the first issue of Goosebumps. A weekly dose of tech, innovation, and the future we’re building — from Ukraine and beyond.
Hey there!
Let’s be clear: innovation isn’t a nice-to-have anymore. It’s not some glossy pitch deck term. It’s about how we shape policy, open up markets, back breakthrough businesses, and accelerate adoption to actually deliver results. It’s how we keep pushing the edge — playing a constant game of cat and mouse with ourselves — to make sure we’re not missing what matters. Because in the end, innovation is how we survive what’s coming. And how we transform and rebuild what’s already broken.
Governments? Usually too slow. Enterprises? Unfortunately, still not agile.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, under full-scale russian invasion, we’re building faster, leaner, and smarter than most global players — not in theory, but in code, in policy, in practice.
That’s what this newsletter is about. Real innovation — the kind that’s already changing industries, lives, and entire systems. Or is about to. Because innovation isn’t just shiny robots (though Boston Dynamics dancing on AGT is a vibe).
It’s AI in classrooms, helping kids learn at their own pace — making quality education scalable, even during blackouts. It’s how we ensure the next generation can outthink tomorrow’s risks and stay globally competitive.
It’s bionic limbs becoming part of the wearable market — restoring not just mobility, but confidence and independence.
It’s fleets of driverless cars stepping in where there are no more drivers — solving workforce shortages in aging cities, crisis zones, and broken supply chains.
So yeah — I’m starting this digest because I want you to see what I see.
What’s working. What’s next. What’s worth your ATTENTION and ACTION.
I believe it’s time for us — thinkers, doers, strategists, builders, tech minds — to unite around a simple idea:
Innovation isn’t just about the future. It’s about solving what hurts right now.
For the countries we love. For the people and kids we care about.
To rethink what’s broken. To build what’s missing. To lead with courage and creativity.
From war zones to boardrooms, tech meets reality — and I’ll try to capture the sparks.
Some stories will be global. Some local. All real. All relevant.
And maybe — if I’m doing this right — you’ll feel a few goosebumps, and find fuel for your next step forward.
📌 News That Gave Me Goosebumps: Bill Gates & Longtermism
If you’ve never read What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill, I highly recommend it. It’s one of the clearest articulations of a powerful idea: longtermism — the belief that what we do today should be judged by its potential to positively impact not just our kids or grandkids, but generations hundreds or even thousands of years from now.
This philosophy deeply resonates with me. Even — or especially — in the middle of a full-scale russian invasion.
Yes, air raid alerts and missile attacks rarely leave space for future thinking. But precisely because of that, I often ask myself:
What am I building today that will still matter in 100 years?
Whether you’re in government, business, or the nonprofit world — that question is everything. That’s why this week’s news from Bill Gates resonated with me.
Bill Gates announced his plan to give away nearly all his personal wealth and close the Gates Foundation by 2045. Most of that funding will go to Africa, to help solve challenges that will shape the next century.
The focus?
• End preventable deaths of moms and babies;
• Ensure the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases;
• Funding breakthroughs to lift millions out of poverty
What we leave behind — in code, in culture, in care — defines the legacy we build.
And this is a masterclass in thinking 100 years ahead.
🚀 Goosebumps News from Japan: Honda’s Rocket Moment
Japanese companies never stop surprising me. A few months ago, Kawasaki introduced CORLEO — a groundbreaking off-road mobility robot powered by four robotic legs. Combining humanoid hand dexterity with motorcycle-inspired control, it adapts to rugged terrain while syncing with the rider’s movements for a seamless human-machine experience. It’s not just a vehicle — it’s a new way to explore mountains, forests, and freedom, born from the fusion of robotics and motion.
And then this week — Honda launched and landed a reusable rocket.
Yes, Honda — the car and motorcycle company. Why does this matter?
Because it shows that the barriers to space — and to innovation in general — are falling. Because we’re entering a world where it is possible for companies to make new bold moves into future industries.
Honda built that rocket using what they already knew: combustion engines, control systems, autonomous navigation. They didn’t start from scratch — they reimagined what they mastered. In a whole new domain.
It’s not just about rockets. It’s about mindset.
You don’t always need to invent from zero. Sometimes, transformation comes from seeing your core strength in a new light.
That’s why this story gave me goosebumps.
Lab-Grown Salmon Just Became Officially “Food” in the USA
When the FDA approves lab-grown salmon, it’s a sign that the global food system is shifting. Quietly and radically.
Lab-grown salmon means clean protein without mercury, parasites, or ocean damage. No overfishing. No antibiotics. Just safe, scalable food — grown anywhere.
So basically, it’s a preview of how we’ll feed the future: with food that’s engineered, decentralized, and resilient. In a world of climate instability, broken supply chains, and rising conflict, lab-grown protein is becoming infrastructure — not luxury.
This is what food security will look like:
Localized production, less waste, and fewer emissions.
Less dependence on fragile ecosystems.
Nutritious food accessible in unstable, underserved, or displaced regions.
The countries that embrace this early? They won’t just feed themselves — they’ll lead.
Because the future of food isn’t just what we eat. It’s how we produce it, who controls it, and whether it can be operational and even scalable under pressure.
Brave1: Ukraine's Defense Tech Innovation Engine
In modern warfare — where drones, AI, and electronic warfare shape every move — evacuation must be just as advanced. You can’t fight a tech war with 20th-century logistics.
That’s why Ardal, a ground robot developed by BUREVII under Ukraine’s BRAVE1 defense tech initiative, is a breakthrough in battlefield innovation.
This week, Ardal successfully evacuated three wounded Ukrainian soldiers who had been trapped in a grey zone — an area too dangerous for traditional evacuation vehicles. Over the course of the mission, Ardal traveled more than 17 kilometers under constant artillery and mortar fire to reach them.
According to Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, the operation took place in one of the most active combat zones, where enemy drones constantly relay coordinates for artillery strikes.
The result? The wounded were safely transported to a military hospital.
This isn’t just a machine. Ardal represents the future of battlefield logistics: autonomous, precise, and capable of saving lives where no human can safely go.
So let’s get one thing straight.
This isn’t a time for more panels, polished speeches, or forums that end in group photos and zero follow-up results.
Tech war demands a tech doctrine.
Real collaboration. Co-building. Deploy or die.
Because the future isn’t waiting — and the enemy sure as hell isn’t.
Something that inspired me
My Top 3 Everyday Gadgets — and Why Smart Glasses Are Getting Smarter
I talk a lot about innovation in govtech, education, defense and other. But sometimes, it’s personal. If I had to name my top 3 everyday gadgets, here’s my honest list: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Oura Ring, iPad.
I love the Meta glasses because they blend into my life. I can capture a moment hands-free, listen to a podcast while walking, or ask AI something without reaching for my phone. They’re lightweight, intuitive, and — for now — unmatched in usability.
But that might change soon. Meta just launched a new chapter in its wearable strategy — partnering with Oakley.
Meta is positioning smart glasses not as a niche gadget, but as the next mainstream wearable.
Why This Matters
Glasses are no longer just eyewear — they’re becoming an interface. Between you and your environment. Between you and AI. They capture memory. Streamline focus. Augment what you already see.
We’re not just witnessing the rise of a new product. We’re witnessing the early stages of a platform shift, and in my mind, that shift is philosophical, not just technical.
We’ve spent the last decade glued to screens in our palms. But what if the next era is about looking up?
About ambient technology — visible only when needed, and invisible when not?
Smart glasses won’t just replace some phone functions. They might redefine how we move through the world. The best tech doesn’t pull us away — it frees us to stay present. That’s the promise of this next wave. And I, for one, am watching closely.
Boston Dynamics robots dance to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ for ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition
Honestly? I loved it. Because this isn’t sci-fi anymore — it’s robotics going mainstream. From factories to frontlines. From warehouses to talent shows.
Robots don’t freeze under pressure. Don’t blank on stage. Don’t second-guess the choreography. So no, they’re not just joining the game — they’re rewriting the rules. And if you think this is just a funny YouTube clip, it’s not.
The robotics era is here.
And if you’re not thinking how this shift will hit your economy, your workforce, your schools, your defense strategy — you’re already behind.
That’s why I wrote about it in my latest piece on Ukraine’s WINWIN 2030 innovation strategy, but also some time ago my reflections in Linkedin, and we have a separate AUV WINWIN strategy.
We all should not be waiting for the future to arrive.
We should build it together — with robotics, AUVs, AgriTech, defense tech, and a vision that turns crisises into catalyst.
So.. if you still think robots are just cute metal dancers… they’re not. They’re your next co-worker. Your next medic. And maybe, just maybe — your next competitor.
Interesting on Kickstarter
One of the most interesting projects I came across on Kickstarter recently is the Polyfloss machine — a compact invention that turns plastic waste into something unexpectedly soft, useful, and full of creative potential. Inspired by the process of making cotton candy, it spins discarded plastic into fibers that can be reused for textiles, packaging, design, branding, even construction. What inspires me most is its simplicity: a small machine with a big circular idea. It’s proof that innovation doesn’t always require AI or robotics — sometimes it’s just about reimagining the materials we already have, and building a better world with what we throw away.
Another project that caught my eye on Kickstarter is the Kara Pod — a beautifully designed device that pulls fresh, mineral-rich drinking water (and even coffee!) straight from the air. No plastic bottles, no filters to refill — just clean water produced through AirDrive™ technology with UV and carbon filtration, plus essential minerals added back in. What I love is the combination of functionality and sustainability in a single compact form. It’s not just a water purifier — it’s a signal of where everyday appliances are headed: off-grid, climate-resilient, and beautifully designed to work in any space.
Something to read
For brains that break rules and build what’s next.
I believe in the power of vision. But only if it leads to real change. WINWIN 2030 is Ukraine’s strategy to turn innovation into national strength — and it’s the one to watch. Read my column: Innovation as a National Idea: Ukraine’s WINWIN 2030 Strategy for Global Impact
My friend Luukas Ilves wrote a killer paper on the Agentic State. You really have to read it. This is definitely not an average govtech blah-blah — it’s a real wake-up call to build governments that think, act, and adapt with AI at the core.
Everything online suddenly feels… off? You’re not crazy. The Atlantic nails what happens when AI eats the internet. 100% must-read.
You say you want AI in the public sector? Cool. Consider starting here: 15 actual use cases, already working.
First Goosebumps — done.
If it stirred something in you, good. That’s the point.
The world doesn’t change from the sidelines.
See you where the ideas bite.