This is the 3rd article in a 3-part series written by ETH Students from the ETH Studio Heilbronn.

Over the course of my studies in Robotics, Systems and Control at ETH Zurich, I’ve grown increasingly interested in how emerging technologies can be applied in meaningful ways, especially in the context of health and medicine. What drives me is not only solving complex technical problems but thinking about how these solutions can empower people who face challenges in their daily lives. That is why I was excited to attend the TECH Conference in Heilbronn, not simply to see the latest tech developments but to be part of conversations about how we can align innovation with purpose.

TECH brings together leaders from across industry, academia, and policy to reflect on how Europe can shape its technological future responsibly. What appealed to me most was that the programme did not just showcase achievements. It created space for critical dialogue, collaboration across disciplines, and the kind of curiosity that feels urgent in times of rapid change.

Among the many thought-provoking talks I attended, one in particular left a strong impression. It featured a team working on neurotechnological applications for people affected by neurological disorders. While the technical details of their work were impressive, what struck me most was the intention behind it: to address conditions that are often overlooked and to create new possibilities for people whose quality of life is significantly affected. As someone who hopes to contribute to medical applications of AI and robotics in the future, this vision felt deeply aligned with the values that led me to this field in the first place. We have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible when we apply machine learning and robotics to medicine in deeply human ways. Hearing about efforts to create less invasive, higher resolution neural interfaces reminded me that innovation is not just about what we can build. It is about what we choose to build and for whom.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to have taken part in this conference, not only for the ideas I encountered but for the people I met and the perspectives I heard. It reminded me how valuable it is to step outside our academic environment and engage with the broader ecosystem shaping the future of technology. I left inspired, with a stronger sense of direction and purpose, and a renewed motivation to contribute to solutions that truly matter. I am especially thankful to ETH Studio Heilbronn and everyone who made it possible for me to attend; for the trust, the opportunity, and the encouragement to grow beyond the classroom.

For additional details about the ETH delegation at the TECH Conference 2025, see this post.