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Human Augmentation 1720854217463 - Coggle Diagram
Human Augmentation
What is Human Augmentation
By using technology to improve mental or physical skills like strength, sensory perception, or cognitive function, human augmentation raises ethical and societal issues like inequality, privacy, and the possibility of technological abuse.
Physical Augmentation:
With the goal of regaining lost functions or developing innate abilities, physical augmentation employs technology such as wearables, implants, exoskeletons, and prostheses to improve or restore the body's physical capabilities.
Cognitive Augmentation:
Through brain-computer interfaces, neural implants, and artificial intelligence systems, cognitive augmentation uses technology to enhance mental abilities such as learning, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. This improves productivity and task assistance.
Technologies
Wearables
Smart Glasses:
Google Glass are smart glasses that combine wearable technology with tiny screens, cameras, sensors, and networking to offer hands-free operation, interactive features, and augmented reality capabilities.
(e.g., Google Glass)
Smart Clothing:
Through adjustable features that monitor physical conditions and communicate with the wearer, smart clothing—a garment enabled by technology—improves comfort, athletic performance, fitness, and health tracking.
Exoskeletons:
Through motors, sensors, and control systems, exoskeletons are wearable robotic devices that enhance physical abilities, supporting industry, the military, rehabilitation, and the mobility of people with disabilities.
VR/AR Headsets:
Wearable technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality headsets combine the real and virtual worlds to create immersive online experiences. Whereas AR uses motion tracking and sensors to overlay digital content over the real world, VR builds a computer-generated environment.
Genetic Engineering
CRISPR Technology:
The Cas9 protein is used by CRISPR technology to alter DNA, allowing for precise and flexible changes in biological research, agriculture, medicine, gene-edited crops, the treatment of genetic diseases, and gene comprehension.
Enhanced Physical Traits:
In order to surpass human capabilities or improve demanding occupations, advanced technology such as exoskeletons, prosthetics, implants, and genetic engineering are frequently used to enhance the natural qualities of the human body.
Gene Editing for Disease Prevention:
By using cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR, gene editing can be used to fix faulty genes, potentially lowering the risk of disease, improving health outcomes, and lowering the incidence of cancer and viral infections.
Artificial Intelligence
AI-assisted Decision Making:
AI-assisted decision-making uses artificial intelligence to analyze large data sets, identify patterns, provide predictive insights, optimize options, make recommendations, and reduce cognitive strain in complex decision-making processes.
AI-powered Prosthetics:
Prosthetics driven by artificial intelligence improve functionality and responsiveness by adjusting to the movements and preferences of the user. With enhanced comfort, control, and accuracy, these devices offer a natural, intuitive experience that facilitates speedy activity completion and real-time adjustments.
AI-enhanced Cognitive Function:
The use of artificial intelligence technology to improve mental processes such as memory, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making through algorithms and data analysis is known as AI-enhanced cognitive function. This improves human performance and cognitive abilities.
Applications
Medical and Health
Rehabilitation (e.g., exoskeletons for mobility)
Disease Treatment (e.g., genetic therapy)
Mental Health (e.g., neurostimulation)
Prosthetics (e.g., bionic limbs, hearing aids)
Military
Soldier Augmentation (e.g., enhanced strength, endurance)
Enhanced Vision or Hearing (via implants or wearables)
Workplace and Productivity
Augmented Workers (e.g., exoskeletons for physical labor)
Remote Work Support (e.g., VR for immersive telepresence)
Cognitive Enhancement (e.g., AI brain-machine interfaces)
Benefits
Improved Physical Capabilities
Enhanced Strength, Speed, and Endurance
Restored Mobility and Sensory Functions
Health and Longevity
Longevity through Genetic Modifications
Disease Prevention and Early Detection
Enhanced Quality of Life
Boosting Productivity and Creativity in Work and Life
Helping Disabled Individuals Lead More Independent Lives
Challenges
Ethical and Social
The Risk of Social Divide and Class Distinction
Equity in Access to Augmentation Technologies
Potential for Exploitation or Abuse of Technology
Health Risks
Psychological Effects of Cognitive Enhancements
Long-term Health Impacts of Implants or Genetic Modifications
Cybersecurity and Privacy Concerns
Technical Limitations
Limited Lifespan and Reliability of Augmented Devices
Technological Complexity and Integration Issues
High Costs of Implementation and Maintenance
Ethical Considerations
Regulation and Oversight
Ethical Guidelines for Use of Human Augmentation
Regulatory Challenges in Emerging Technologies
Human Identity
Defining the Boundaries Between 'Human' and 'Machine'
Impact on Human Nature and Individuality
Moral Implications
Discrimination or 'Techno-Elitism' Based on Augmentation
Consent, especially for genetic modifications or implants
Future Trends
Integration with AI and Robotics
AI-powered Personal Development
The Interdependence of Humans and Machines
Ethical Frameworks
Conversations about Transhumanism
Establishment of International Human Augmentation Standards
Biological and Cybernetic Convergence
Genetic Augmentation to Improve Mental and Physical Traits
Extending Human Life Using Cyborg Technology
Web Links
https://uwaterloo.ca/arts-computing-newsletter/fall-2021/fall-2021/human-augmentation
https://www.sutherlandglobal.com/insights/glossary/what-is-human-augmentation
https://www.airswift.com/blog/human-augmentation
