THURSDAY GATHERING #42 Beyond the Swipe: The Future of Human Connectedness
TO REGISTER GO TO: venturecafeberlin.gatherus.app
How do we build real human connection in a world shaped by swipes, screens, and algorithms? This Thursday Gathering explores how technology is reshaping presence, intimacy, and emotional visibility — and how digital tools can move beyond surface-level interaction to foster meaningful relationships. Join us for Berlin’s vibrant weekly after-work event series designed to spark innovation, connection, and collaboration across startups, creatives, investors, researchers, and curious minds. Expect interactive sessions, expert talks, info tables, and plenty of opportunities to connect.
✨ What to Expect:
Insightful, reflective exploration of technology and human connection
Interactive demos and hands-on experience with presence-based AI
A welcoming, drop-in environment — stay for one session or the whole evening
Session 1: Emotional Visibility — The Missing Piece in Digital Connection
🕠 Time: 17:30 – 18:15
In an age of constant stimulation, many of us feel more connected than ever — yet increasingly unseen. This session introduces the concept of emotional visibility: the fundamental human need to feel seen without having to perform.
Participants will explore how attention-driven technologies contribute to emotional invisibility — and how technology, when designed differently, can help restore presence and connection.
Speaker:
Lily Chuang — Founder & CEO, True Touch AI
Session 2: Does AI Make Us More or Less Lonely?
🕕 Time: 18:00 – 18:45
While digitalization and AI are fundamentally changing how we live and interact, a growing share of the global population is experiencing chronic loneliness. This session dives into the complex relationship between technology, AI, and our social health.
The session opens with Dr. Silvan Hornstein, psychologist and founder, who will unpack the science of loneliness and share evidence-based interventions. He will introduce platoniq.health, an app focused on developing digital tools to combat loneliness.
The second half features a panel discussion exploring whether AI can provide genuine emotional support — or whether AI companions risk becoming “digital placebos.”
Panelists:
Silvan Hornstein, PhD — Co-Founder, platoniq
Lara Sachs — Co-Founder, platoniq
Lea Merkel — Co-Founder & MD, Loneliless
Lily Chuang — Founder & CEO, True Touch AI
Katrin Weber — Projektmanagerin, Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg von Berlin
Session 3: Beyond the Swipe — Why Offline Has Become a Thing (and What’s Next)
🕡 Time: 18:45 – 19:45
As digital saturation increases, offline experiences are making a comeback. This session explores why people are craving real-world connection again — and what this shift means for communities, startups, and the future of social interaction.
Panelists:
Galina Gorshkova — Co-Founder, Weird Wentures
Beth Thayne — Co-Founder, Product, Quouch
Yannick Domke — Founder, Same
🎟️ Free & open to all
Full agenda available at venturecafeberlin.org