inimesteks

Inimesteks is a term used primarily in Estonian-language speculative fiction and theoretical discourse to describe a movement or approach aimed at reframing social and technological systems to be more human-centric. The form inimeste is the root word inimene meaning human, with the translative suffix -steks indicating transformation or designation, commonly rendered in English as "into humans" or "as humans." In fictional and analytic contexts, Inimesteks denotes efforts to elevate human dignity, agency, and rights within governance, design, and public life.

Inimesteks appears as both a philosophy and an organizational concept within stories, essays, and design debates. Typical tenets include prioritizing human well-being over impersonal efficiency, ensuring participatory decision-making, enforcing transparency and accountability, protecting privacy, and guiding technology development by human rights standards. Proponents imagine institutions and technologies—such as participatory assemblies, co-design processes, and ethical review mechanisms—built around these principles.

Reception is mixed. In fictional settings, it serves as a critique of technocratic elites and a blueprint for inclusive futures. In scholarly and policy discussions, it functions as a thought experiment for evaluating human-centered approaches to AI, data governance, and urban design. Critics argue that the term is broad or vague and may risk conflating aspirational ethics with practical constraints. See also human-centered design, participatory governance, and ethical AI.