The Developing Link Between Man and Machine

Lavell A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  To stay in the lines of the cyberpunk genre for this class, I wanted to talk about the ever-changing boundaries between humanity and technology.Ā  Everyday technology is becoming more and more advanced as seen by the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) in society.Ā  For example, nowadays people are using AI technologies such as ChatGPT, OpenAI, and DALL-E for anything from helping out with research, creating full-on noncopyrighted images, giving people life advice and basically information for anything that the mind can think of.Ā  AIā€™s primary focus used to be for solving mathematical calculations or processing data, but as one can see, it has since shifted into a far more creative tool, performing tasks that were thought of to be only capable of by humans.Ā  Another example is that there is even AI music out here.Ā  There is AI out here winning actual awards for creating songs and that were even capable of mimicking the voices of popular artists (some who are even deceased).Ā  The problem today is that with AI being able to make all of these different forms of media, lots of laws are being put in place and/or adjusted to answer the discontent of artistsā€™ worry of copyright of their work.Ā  In all I think that this level of change of how technology is implemented by society was bound to occur sooner or later.Ā  Humanity is always looking forward and are never at rest especially when it comes to tech.Ā  Weā€™ve had these ideas of AI, robots, and cyborgs for decades now.Ā  The only reason that I would say that they donā€™t already purely exist yet is because we just havenā€™t fully figured it out yet (not including all of the views of whether these inventions would be considered wrong or right). If you were to ask what I thought about these changing times with AI, I would say that it is indeed interesting and I am excited to see what the future has in store for society.

Manipulating the Mind with Ads

Khalil F.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Without a doubt, I think that there will be human augmentations as technology evolves. If there is ever a chance for companies to create things like that, they totally would. There is already the Neuralink company, creating brain chips, and I think that would probably evolve into the sort of chips that we see in cyberpunk stories. 

Initially, I think that brain chips are really cool in concept! In fictional settings, the idea of having a computer in your head to help with tasks, and being able to be conscious in a dream-like state sounds awesome, but the issue is that companies exist. Often seen in cyberpunk media, corporations will over advertise things for the common person. Everything is seen as something they can make money off of, and that is without a doubt happening in the real world. Especially with things like dropshipping, everyone wants to make a quick buck, so having a brain chip just would be seen as a new place to advertise.

“Allen Institute for Brain Science” by Lavender Dreamer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Because of that, I donā€™t think that I would get something like that if it was available. Even if it helps with small tasks or helps with memory, the thought of being constantly advertised to sounds awful. It makes me think about all of the drama about the election on Facebook a bit ago, where people were posting fake things in order to manipulate people’s thoughts. Putting a chip in someone’s brain would make that even easier, as it could make false thoughts with its ads

I think that technology that helps humans rather than being installed would be cool, like something to control computers without touching them, or even an augmented reality style visor would be pretty cool. It would be kind of scary seeing people with things on their faces in public, like with that Apple is trying to do with its Vision Pro, but something that could still show everyone’s face and expression, while also being a computer that can be accessed for smaller tasks, would be something I would love.

Evolving Beyond Nature

Olivia S.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

As someone aspiring to be a tissue engineer, I am particularly fascinated by how biological and technological advancements will shape our health, longevity, and quality of life. In my lifetime, I believe human augmentation will advance significantly, blending biology and technology to redefine our potential. From medical enhancements like prosthetics and implants to cognitive and sensory upgrades, the trajectory of innovation suggests profound changes in how we interact with the world and ourselves.

The future holds exciting possibilities in both bioengineering and technology. Tissue engineering, for instance, could lead to creating custom organs grown from a patientā€™s cells, minimizing the risk of rejection and ending reliance on donor shortages. This is a field that I am particularly interested in making an impact in. Beyond medical needs, advancements in biomaterials might allow the development of muscle-enhancing or bone-strengthening augmentations. Neural interfaces, like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), could expand cognitive abilities, improving memory, creativity, or problem-solving skills. Sensory enhancements might allow us to perceive wavelengths of light or sound beyond the human spectrum, fundamentally changing how we experience the world.

This image was generated by ChatGPT on November 23, 2024. https://chatgpt.com/c/6742c2b0-03c0-8009-8aab-afc6882003c7

I would embrace augmentations aligned with health, productivity, and enhancing human experience. As a tissue engineer, the ability to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs using bioengineered solutions would be incredibly fulfilling. This could aid in treating patients suffering from the long-lasting effects of substance abuse as well as complications from cancer treatments. For myself, Iā€™d consider integrating augmentations that improve bone and muscle strength/recovery as I, sadly, tend to have bad joints. Of course, there are enhancements in this field that I do not believe should be explored.

Ethically, I believe certain boundaries must be upheld. Modifications that compromise individuality or autonomy, such as permanent BCIs controlled by corporations or governments, are unacceptable. Genetic enhancements solely for aesthetic or superficial traits raise concerns about societal pressure, inequality, and the loss of diversity. This can create a heirarchy that beniefits the rich and demeans or disenfranchises those who cannot afford this. A great example of this would be in the movie Gattaca (for those who don’t know this movie here is the trailer). Ultimately, augmentations that are irreversible, unsafe, or exclude large portions of society due to cost or access disparities would exacerbate existing inequalities, which is contrary to the inclusive goals of medicine and technology.

From the perspective of a future tissue engineer, the implications of augmentation also carry responsibility. The technology we develop must prioritize improving lives while respecting ethical principles. Tissue-engineered solutions, for example, should focus on restoring health and function rather than creating an unnecessary hierarchy of abilities.

This image was generated by ChatGPT on November 24, 2024. https://chatgpt.com/c/6742c2b0-03c0-8009-8aab-afc6882003c7

Human augmentation holds incredible promise, but it must be guided by ethical considerations to ensure inclusivity and fairness. As someone entering the field of bioengineering, I see a future where science empowers us to overcome diseases, disabilities, and even natural limitations without compromising our humanity. By focusing on augmentations that enhance life in meaningful, equitable ways, we can ensure this evolution remains a force for good. To learn more about the ethics of tissue engineering, take a look at this paper published by The Journal of Applied Tissue Engineering.

The Future of Human Augmentation

Juleette A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In my opinion, human augmentation is no longer confined to the realms of science fiction. As technologies like neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) emerge, the lines between the natural and artificial grow increasingly blurred. Reflecting on the insights from our cyberpunk class, The Wandering Earth, and Hossain and Ahmedā€™s ethical analysis of neurotechnology, itā€™s clear that the future of human enhancement holds incredible potential, but it is brought with challenges

Human augmentation is positioned to transform how we live, work, and interact. In the medical field, which is a field I desire to work in, as highlighted by Hossain and Ahmed, technologies like BCIs and tactile neuroprosthetics could enhance cognition, precision, and sensory input for surgeons and physicians. Beyond healthcare, augmented reality interfaces, robotic exoskeletons, and memory-enhancing implants may become accessible, reshaping productivity and personal potential. In The Wandering Earth, we saw how technological ingenuity was essential for humanityā€™s survival; similarly, neurotechnologies could empower individuals to achieve beyond natural limitations, enabling faster learning, better decision-making, and expanded physical abilities.

However, as we discussed in class, such technologies also carry significant risks. Ethical concerns about autonomy, equity, and identity mirror cyberpunk narratives where augmentation creates dystopian realities. For instance, Hossain and Ahmed raise critical points about the dangers of malicious brain-hacking, loss of personal agency, and deepening social divides, all of which resonate with the cautionary themes of cyberpunk media.

In our lifetime, options for augmentation will likely range from sensory enhancements (such as improved vision or tactile sensitivity) to advanced cognitive implants that boost memory and attention. Hossain and Ahmed discuss how neuroprosthetics can be combined with tactile sensors to give surgeons the ability to feel during operations, enabling greater precision. Similarly, BCIs could allow individuals to interface directly with machines, streamlining tasks like education or professional training.

I would consider augmentations that enhance quality of life without compromising identity or autonomy. For instance, cognitive implants to improve focus or memory would be appealing, especially for tasks requiring long-term retention and problem-solving. Sensory enhancements, like advanced vision or hearing, could enrich daily experiences while maintaining personal agency.

However, I would reject augmentations that compromise mental integrity or exacerbate inequality. Hossain and Ahmed warn of malicious brain-hacking, where external agents could manipulate neural activity, stripping individuals of autonomy. This is unacceptable, as it poses risks not only to personal identity but also to broader societal trust. I would also reject adaptations that create unjust advantages, such as cognitive implants for competitive edge in professional or academic settings, as they could lead to new forms of discrimination and inequality.

The societal pressures to adopt augmentations are another concern. Hossain and Ahmed argue that non-augmented individuals might be perceived as inferior, leading to marginalization. This echoes the cyberpunk cautionary tales weā€™ve studied, where technology often amplifies societal divides rather than bridging them.

References: Hossain, S. Q., & Ahmed, S. I. (n.d.). Ethical analysis on the application of neurotechnology for human augmentation in physicians and surgeons. https://arxiv.org/html/2006.16925v3

When is it enough?

Elaina R.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In my lifetime, I feel like things such as Human Augmentation will go very far. I don’t know how far but from what I even grew up with from 15 years ago to today and what we have such as generative Ai that is used all the time, I can see it going a lot of places. In today’s world, we are already starting to advance and from things such as futuristic movies and other pieces of media, there are ideas that people already have saved and are in the process of making. One simple way is how intricate prosthetics can get because I never knew how expensive certain parts could cost and how one could even afford them until I researched it. In that if we have intricate pieces such as really robotic arms then soon we can already see things such as robotic eyes and more be made soon in the future. I can see things or parts like eyes being made because those are parts that usually people can’t use anymore so I’d think that would be the first step. In my mind, something like one of the Black Mirror episodes where they could watch back memories would be something in the far future. For myself, I don’t think I would go that far especially since I would be so much older and I think that would just be too much for someone my age at that point. I may want to try some augmentations but theres a certain limit and difference from help and from doing more than what is needed for human survival and even enjoyment. For some, it is just have the possession or being able to say they have something that others don’t but I don’t think I’d be like that at all. There are also some augmentations that may be too much such as ones that may be able to mess with someone else instead of helping the person who’s getting it such as using an augmentation that could change appearance.

sources:

Eden J, BrƤcklein M, IbƔƱez J, Barsakcioglu DY, Di Pino G, Farina D, Burdet E, Mehring C. Principles of human movement augmentation and the challenges in making it a reality. Nat Commun. 2022 Mar 15;13(1):1345. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28725-7. PMID: 35292665; PMCID: PMC8924218.

De Boeck, M., & Vaes, K. (2024). Human augmentation and its new design perspectives.Ā International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation,Ā 12(1), 61ā€“80. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650349.2023.2288125

Yoon, Y., Cho, IJ. A review of human augmentation and individual combat capability: focusing on MEMS-based neurotechnology.Ā Micro and Nano Syst LettĀ 12, 17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40486-024-00205-1

Redefining Human Potential: My Take on the Future of Augmentation

Anthony J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

As technology evolves, the line between whatā€™s natural and whatā€™s enhanced gets blurrier by the day. In my lifetime, I believe human augmentation will become a defining force, shaping not only how we live but also how we define what it means to be human. Itā€™s exciting, but it also comes with some heavy questions about ethics, identity, and balance.

In the coming decades, I see augmentation advancing in areas like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), genetic editing, and next-generation prosthetics. BCIs, for example, could let us directly connect our brains to devices, making controlling technology as simple as a thought. Genetic editing tools like CRISPR might allow us to enhance physical abilities, improve mental sharpness, or even eradicate diseases. These breakthroughs will likely begin in specialized fields like medicine or elite professions, but as the technology matures, they could become as common as smartphones.

When it comes to my own choices, I think Iā€™d be open to enhancements that improve health or expand on existing human capabilities. For instance, a neural implant that helps with focus or memory could be a game-changerā€”not just for learning but for navigating lifeā€™s challenges. Similarly, augmentations like advanced prosthetics or vision enhancements feel practical and empowering, offering solutions to real-world problems without compromising human authenticity.

But thereā€™s a limit to how far Iā€™d go. I draw the line at technologies that fundamentally alter what makes us human, like manipulating emotions, suppressing individuality, or creating dependencies that take away our ability to think or feel independently. To me, humanity is rooted in our imperfectionsā€”our ability to adapt, to connect, and to grow through challenges. Augmentations that erase those qualities might make us ā€œbetterā€ on paper, but they would also make us less human.

As we move forward, I believe the key will be finding balance. Human augmentation has the potential to empower, but it also comes with the risk of redefining who we are in ways that may not align with our values. For me, the goal is clear: to embrace the possibilities of progress while ensuring that the essence of humanityā€”our ability to think, feel, and connectā€”remains intact.

The Cure

Jennifer V.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I definitely believe that within my life time there will be many breakthrough innovations, especially when it comes to human augmentation. If we think about the technology we have today it stills blows my mind how we have computerized glasses, AI powered arms, and even the development in CRISPR gene editing. With the help of AI, I think that we can definitely create more efficient pieces of equipment that can better mimic human body parts. Of course, I do have my doubts as well. While someone may come up with groundbreaking augmented machinery in my lifetime, I do not think I will ever see it being implemented in health care until way after my life time. I think this is because of the extensive trials and experiments that must be conducted to make sure these enhances are safe for human beings. The human body is a very complicated and intelligent piece of work, and as of right now I do not see any life time solutions regarding augmented replacements. The body’s rejection rate for foreign objects is very high, so the patient will be on immune suppressant medication for a long time or until the augmentation needs to be changes.

Another thing that I hope to see in my life time is more studies on CRISPR gene editing. One of my biggest fears in life is Dementia and Alzheimers, mainly because it runs in my family. It’s a very sad disease to have or to experience a loved one having, and I hope that in the future we as a scientific community will be able to have enough information about our genes and our cells to pinpoint the cause for it. As the video above stated, CRISPR as we know now does not have the power to cure this disease because there is too much risk and too much unknown variables. For example, the Tau genes are microtubule stabilization proteins that when degraded or mutated can begin to aggregate, forming plaques inside of your neuronal cells. The key question is then: Is Alzheimer’s disease caused by the destabilization of the microtubule signaling network or is it from the numerous tau plaques invading the cell space? I wish in the future we can work together to find cures for diseases such as Dementia and Cancer. I also want to emphasize the importance of transparency of the health community to the population especially during the pursuit of finding cures or augmentations. I believe that the next 4 years will be extremely rocky for the education system, justice system, and the health system. But I can only hope that these trials the next 4 years will bring to us will allow us to become stronger together. Maybe this is me being too optimistic, which is ironic given the class revolves around Cyberpunk, but when it comes to healthcare I can only hope that we can start prioritizing curative medicine over maintenance medicine. But in this capitalistic society, as Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk 77 so eloquently put it …

The Jetsons Is Here: Embracing Tech, While Minding My Black Business

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

So, the other day, I was scrolling through Instagram (you know, my usual), and I stumbled upon this webtoon called Emmy the Robot. It’s about a high-end robotic nanny named Emmy, who works for the Delaire family. And let me tell you, sheā€™s out here doing it allā€”taking kids to school, running errands, cleaning, the whole shebang. Right after that, I saw robots serving drinks at Elon Muskā€™s We, Robot event, and my brain did a little flip. I thought, Hold up, is this really where weā€™re headed? So, I started wondering: How in the world will human augmentation evolve in our generation?

Let me take you back real quick. Growing up, I didnā€™t have cable, so I had to get cozy with old-school shows my parents grew up withā€”like The Jetsons. It aired back in 1962 and was basically the blueprint for futuristic living: flying cars, robot maids, automated everything. But now, looking at the way technology is shaping up, Iā€™m a little nervous about where this might go. I mean, we just had a whole situation where an AI chatbot led a child to commit suicide, and thatā€™s honestly terrifying. With that in mind, I donā€™t know if I want to be living in The Jetsons world just yet.

That being said, thereā€™s a weird part of me thatā€™s kind of excited for the Jetsons-style future. The Jetsons wasnā€™t really about people turning into cyborgsā€”it was about using external tech to make life easier, like robot assistants or flying cars. And letā€™s be real, weā€™re already living in a version of that future. I saw robots at that Elon Musk eventā€”serving drinksā€”and I was like, Okay, I can get down with this. Not to mention, we already have a lot of the things the Jetsons predicted: smart appliances, flying cars (havenā€™t been commercialized yet, but they exist), video calls, remote work, and AI and automation. But letā€™s be honest: We still need to get the basics right, like biometric data privacy. Weā€™re all aware of how shady big companies can be with our personal data. For a deeper dive into this topic, check out my podcast: Biometric Breakthroughs: The Future is Now. Until these companies can prove they wonā€™t use my information to sell me new items on Instagram, Iā€™m staying skeptical about some of the more extreme tech.

An image from The Jetsons, showcasing the show’s futuristic technology. Source: Marketwatch.com

Now, donā€™t get me wrong, I do think some of this tech is gonna become the norm. Robots delivering drinks? Sure, why not. Self-driving cars? Absolutely. But full-on bio-enhancementsā€”like Neuralink or body mods that turn us into Inspector Gadget? I donā€™t think thatā€™s happening anytime soon. And even if it does, Iā€™m not sure Iā€™m ready to have a jet pack built into my body just yet. (Although, lowkey, a jet pack sounds kinda cool. I would never be let to work again!)

But hereā€™s the thing: Iā€™m definitely not interested in modifying my body for bio-enhancements. No thanks! As I said in my last post, Human Hybridization? Hell No. Iā€™m not about to let tech mess with my Black body. The idea of bio-enhancements feels like an insult to my heritage and my identity. My body is perfect just the way it isā€”donā€™t try to fix something thatā€™s not broken, period.

At the end of the day, I think weā€™ll see more robots, more AI, and maybe even some cool tech like self-driving cars. But I donā€™t think weā€™re gonna see full-on cyborgs anytime soon. And if we do? Iā€™ll be watching from the sidelines, sipping my drink served by ChatGPT onlyā€”because letā€™s be real, Iā€™ve seen too many robot vengeance stories. Keeping my body just the way it was meant to be. No chips, no neural links, just me and my black, beautiful, and unmodified self.

Man relaxing in Pool GIF. Source: GIFDB.com

Works Cited:

Domcell. (2020, April 5). Emmy the Robot. www.webtoons.com. https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/emmy-the-robot/list?title_no=402201

Image from The Jetsons, showcasing the show’s futuristic technology [Web Image ]. (n.d.). https://ei.marketwatch.com/Multimedia/2014/05/27/Photos/MG/MW-CF983_jetson_20140527071125_MG.jpg?uuid=af967b3e-e58f-11e3-bbf7-00212803fad6

Man relaxing in Pool GIF [GIF]. (n.d.). GIFDB.com. https://gifdb.com/images/high/man-relaxing-in-pool-u3h4a9ug6w8sdl3b.gif

Tesla. (2024). We, Robot | Tesla. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com/we-robot

Wikipedia. (2024, September 2). The Jetsons. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons

"Cyborg Madonna" by Floortje Walraven is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Four Score and Seven Years from Now

Zakiyah M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

This course has definitely made me consider how technological advancements have and will continue to shape our world. Prior to this class, I did not think much about these types of enhancements in humans. I am not much of a science fiction person, so I did not have much interest in considering topics that fell into that realm of conversation. After this course though, I think more about how technology has continuously shaped the human experience. I did not think to consider a lot of the technology that is present now like hearing aids, pacemakers, and artificial limbs as human augmentations since they are so normalized. It has occurred to me though that at one point in time these things were considered anomalies, even though in the present we see that many benefit from them.

In the future, I can see scientists and researchers continuing to work to produce technology of a similar nature to the ones that I previously mentioned, especially ones that work in a way similar to hearing aids. I think that a lot of work will be done to create technology that can help the body make up for lost sensations like sight and touch. I think they will also find ways to create devices that can be used in place receiving an organ transplant since they are not easily accessible. It is likely that technology of the near future will work more to improve the quality of life for those who may have some loss of function rather than enhancing it for those who already have full function. I would be willing to try technology of this caliber if I needed it because it could possibly help with my health or ability to perform certain tasks. However, I think I would be less likely to try an augmentation that my body does not need. For example, if augmentations were created to give me more strength or supersonic hearing, I do not think that I would want it. These are things that I do not need and would therefore likely avoid.

Superhuman?

Taylor L.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
“The Bionic Man ā€” First Demo” byĀ jurvetsonĀ is licensed underĀ CC BY 2.0.

This past year I have seen and become aware of technologyĀ that seems futuristic in my eyes. For example, ChatGPT still feels surreal to use because it literally knows more than an educated human and that is scary. I also know that there are modifications or additions that can be made to humans to make use more advanced.Iā€™ve heard of bionic limbs and of course we have heart implants and cochlear implants already. In my lifetime I could definitely see there being technology made for each body part that enables bionic abilities.

As of right now, I canā€™t even imagine myself going through with any procedure that would make me more advanced. The most I could see myself doing is bionic eyes (if that is invented).I would enjoy having eyesight thats better than human eyesight. Sometimes with glasses,I still wish I could see clearer (like if I was at a concert in really high seats). With that being said, I could see my opinion changing if everyone around me has multiple augmentations. Society could very likely evolve in a way that makes human augmentation normal and widespread.

In addition, I think adaptations such as supplements or technology that increase your intelligence would be unappceptable. I think that would be a shortcut for mankind,and one that could disrupt it. I canā€™t imagine a world where everyo0ne is on the same level intellectually. Although its great to have intelligent people, I think it is also great for us to embrace our differences and intelligence is one of them. Ultimately, I can see augmentations in the future as things that make us more a like and decreases individuality. In conclusion, the same way that AI makes us feel useless, I think augmentations would make us feel less individualistic.