Take AI, for example. Companies like Microsoft and Google are pouring billions into artificial intelligence for fun experiments and to reshape how we live quietly. AI powers everything from the personalized recommendations you get while shopping online to the chatbots handling customer service. The big guys like Meta and Microsoft are in an arms race, and their spending is massive—Microsoft alone spent $88 billion last year. AI is creeping into almost every aspect of our lives, whether we notice it or not.

Take AI, for example. Companies like Microsoft and Google are pouring billions into artificial intelligence for fun experiments and to reshape how we live quietly. AI powers everything from the personalized recommendations you get while shopping online to the chatbots handling customer service. The big guys like Meta and Microsoft are in an arms race, and their spending is massive—Microsoft alone spent $88 billion last year. AI is creeping into almost every aspect of our lives, whether we notice it or not.

Then there’s VR, which used to be something we associated with gaming, but now it’s everywhere, even in real estate. Instead of driving across town to check out a new house, you can take a virtual tour without leaving your couch. It’s becoming more normal to do these things remotely, and thanks to the pandemic, virtual appraisals and property tours are now mainstream. I’d have killed for that convenience when I was house-hunting years ago.

Sustainability is another trend that’s exploding right now, especially in tech. Companies are finding new ways to capture carbon from the air or experimenting with insect-based livestock feeds to reduce environmental impact. This push isn’t just about feeling good anymore; it’s about natural solutions to big global problems. Technology is making the world greener in ways that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago.

And let’s talk about streaming. We all love the convenience, but it’s funny to remember when we’d spend hours browsing in stores like Sam Goody or Tower Records. Remember flipping through those rows of CDs, deciding whether to spend your hard-earned money on the latest album? That was an experience—picking up a physical copy of your favorite band’s new release, reading the liner notes, and maybe even talking to the clerk about what was worth checking out. Today, all of that’s been replaced by streaming, where you can listen to just about anything at the tap of a screen.

But the economics are tricky. Only about 5% of Spotify artists make more than $100K a year, which is wild when you think about how streaming has wholly taken over the music industry. While listeners get endless music for a low cost, most artists are still figuring out how to make it work financially. It’s a strange shift from when CDs ruled and artists could make a decent living from album sales.

AI is also shaking things up in the real estate market. Companies use it to redesign rooms quickly and even help realtors showcase properties more efficiently. It’s making the whole buying and selling process faster, easier, and frankly, less stressful than it used to be.

So, as I stood in Hillsdale Mall, watching my kids run through stores, I couldn’t help but think about how much has changed. Shopping isn’t what it used to be, and how we interact with technology is evolving faster than ever. The future isn’t just around the corner—it’s already here, and it’s only going to get more interesting from here on out.

Walking out of the mall, I realized that while we shop and interact with the world has transformed, the heart of it—our connection to experiences—remains. Technology may drive the change, but how we embrace it will define the future.

xoxo,

Maximillian Diez

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